This video reveals if your houseplant will revive and be okay if you forget to water. Find out if your houseplant has a good chance from being droughted. Discover plants that do better with being droughted. How long to wait to see if a plant will revive after you forget to water. What type of plants don’t do well with being droughted is also covered.
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Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. Today’s video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate link, which you’ll find in the comment section below. In the description below, you’ll also see links to other videos mentioned here.
A common question from viewers is, “I forgot to water my houseplant. Will it be okay?” The good news is that many houseplants can recover from a missed watering, depending on how dry the plant became. If it’s bone-dry, crinkled, and brown, the plant may not come back, though it’s sometimes possible to get some regrowth from the base. However, if the plant is just drooping and needs water, it often recovers after being watered. Certain plants, like peace lilies, are known for bouncing back even after severe wilting. Within one to three hours after watering, they typically perk up.
On the other hand, some plants, like maidenhair ferns, are less resilient and may lose about half their foliage after drought. You may need to prune or even repot these delicate plants if much of their foliage dies off.
Most houseplants recover after droughts, but they may shed some leaves afterward. For example, if a pothos plant is missed during watering, some leaves might brown and fall off a few days after it’s watered. Simply remove these leaves and avoid heavy pruning, as the plant is already stressed. Regular watering after the drought can help it regain strength.
For plants with thick foliage, such as dracaenas, occasional droughts are manageable. But plants like African violets, which prefer moist soil, may stop flowering and slow growth if neglected for too long. Prolonged drought also makes plants more susceptible to pests and diseases.
If a plant has dried out, a good technique to rehydrate is bottom watering. To do this, place the pot in a water-filled vessel, allowing it to absorb water from the bottom. This thoroughly moistens the soil, avoiding surface watering, which can sometimes miss dried-out areas within the soil. Leave the pot in water until air bubbles stop forming, which indicates any dry pockets are gone.
Plants vary in recovery time; some, like peace lilies, recover quickly, while others may take days or even a week. For instance, pothos plants can take a week or more to bounce back fully. Remember to give the plant time to recover before discarding it, as many plants can survive a drought with patience and care.
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FAQ: Forgotten to Water Your Houseplant
Will my houseplant survive if I forgot to water it?
Many houseplants can recover from missed watering. If your plant is very dry, it might lose some foliage, but most houseplants bounce back when watered.
How can I help a plant recover after forgetting to water it?
Bottom watering is recommended for rehydrating drought-stressed plants. Place the pot in a container of water and let it soak until air bubbles stop forming. This helps hydrate the soil evenly.
Which plants recover best after drought?
Plants like peace lilies are known for quickly bouncing back after watering. However, more delicate plants like maidenhair ferns may lose foliage and require pruning.
How long does it take for a plant to recover after watering?
Recovery time varies. Peace lilies may perk up within a few hours, but pothos plants can take up to a week to fully recover.
What signs indicate a plant needs water?
Drooping leaves, dry soil, and lack of flowering in plants like African violets are signs of drought. Regular watering helps maintain healthy plant growth.
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