How to Remove Excess Water From Plant Pot? (3 Measures)

how to remove excess water from plant pot
how to remove excess water from plant pot

Even for experts, determining a plant’s water requirements can be complicated. The stress of being over or underwater might have disastrous results. The most severe issue with overwatering potted plants is that they are in a controlled environment.

With excessive watering, nutrients are wiped away, and mold or fungus problems may arise. under watering makes the environment uninhabitable, prohibiting plants from absorbing nutrients, and causing them to wither or perish.

You may grow healthy, low-maintenance greenery in containers by not overwatering them. A few tips and techniques will also show you how to handle overwatered plants.

Many plant types have a sensitive balance when it comes to watering. We know that all plants, including cactus, require water, but the exact quantity and regularity are debatable.

Too much water may cause container plants to lose their foliage, develop damaged roots and tubers, or create pest or mold problems. All of these put the plant under stress and jeopardized its wellbeing. Too much moisture in a pot might cause the crown or base to rot.

Which Plants Prefer Wet Conditions and Which Prefer Dry Conditions

For most container plants, even watering is the best option.

Spider plants

Low-Humidity Plants:  While cacti and succulents need some water during the growth period, they must have dry spells in the winter when active development is not happening. Other low-moisture plants include, for instance, Spider plants, cast iron, Aloe Bromeliads, and Ponytail palms. 

African violets

High-Moisture Plants:  High-Moisture Plants like maidenhair fern, African violets, and lipstick plants have extreme humidity requirements.

What Signs Do Plants Show When They Are Overwatered?

We need to have a look at the following factors to determine whether a plant is overwatering:

  • The plant appears “sad,” with thin stems and foliage.
  • Usually, the lower leaves become yellow, and the new leaves get brown.
  • The roots decay.
  • Improvement interrupts
  • Given the presence of algae, the earth could turn green.

How to Remove Excess Water From Plant Pot?

Overwatering is one of the most serious problems that can cause a plant to die fast. This is why most professionals advise beginners to consult a gardening guide or ask an expert for advice before establishing their garden.

Obtaining the necessary knowledge from a book or an expert will assist you in avoiding several blunders that could entirely ruin your garden.

Now that we’ve established that let’s talk about how to drain extra water from plant pots after unintentionally overwatering them. If you find yourself in a similar position, use the strategies described below to help your plants survive better.

  1. Drain The Surplus to One Side

One of the simplest ways to get rid of extra water if the pot has no holes in the bottom is to lean the pot to one side. Given that the pot is quite tiny, you don’t need much effort.

Using this strategy, though, can be challenging if your pot is really large. So, if you have a tiny pot that can be handled easily, this technique is for you.

Get a vacant container and place it on one side of the pot before you change direction. You’ll be able to handle the mess and avoid spilling extra water on the floor if you do this. Place the empty container underneath the pot and lean it to the side, so the excess water drains.

Most of the water will come out of the pot using this method, which only requires a 50-degree tilt. The pot can be placed back in a bright, dry area once the water has been removed. After the extra water is taken out, maybe the plant will make a full recovery.

  1. Turkey Baster to Drain Water

Turkey Baster to Drain Water

The above method works well when the pot is reasonably small and portable. On the other hand, a turkey baster is your best bet if you’ve potted into some heavy pots that cannot be transported.

Although these pots have drainage holes underneath them, in most cases, if there is excessive water, the plates at the bottom return it to the roots.

In this case, you have a short window of time to drain all the extra water from the saucer. If you wait too long, the plant may experience problems, and its growth may be limited.

Simply take the water out using a turkey baster and an unused container to avoid this problem. The surplus water can be sucked out with the turkey baster and then deposited in the empty bucket.

Continue doing this until all the water is drained from the saucer. Remember that you will require a sizable container to hold all the extra water. You won’t have to be concerned about coping with overwatering problems in the plant after the water has been removed.

  1. Utilize A Sponge to Remove Extras

Utilize A Sponge to Remove Extras

A sponge can be used as a substitute if, for some reason, you have no turkey baster at home. The amount of time it takes to drain the entire pot of water will depend on the size of the pot.

This method takes a bit longer and is less efficient than using a turkey baster to drain extra water from a plant pot. Therefore, using a turkey baster to drain excess water is always preferable.

The procedure can be significantly sped up, however, if you chance to have some exceptionally absorbing sponges at home. Place the sponge in the saucer and allow it to absorb all the extra water.

The sponge can then be squeezed into an empty beaker. The process can be repeated until all the water has been removed from the saucer.

These techniques are beneficial for keeping plants healthy and can be used by gardeners. Both methods should work to remove the extra water from the plant pot, depending on the pot’s dimensions.

What Advantages Come from Draining Extra Water from a Plant Saucer?

Plant saucers are typically used with plant pots or containers to catch and keep extra water drained from the plants once it has been hydrated. Several plant pots come with saucers, but if you need to buy one, we advise looking for one that complements the pot and can contain enough water.

How Often Should Excess Water Be Pull from Saucers?

Many plant owners are unaware of the necessity of draining extra water from their plant saucers to maintain the health of their indoor plants. Insufficient oxygen and root rotting can occur when you leave your potted plants in stagnant water.

Unloading saucers after top watering will also stop your plants from absorbing the salts. To achieve good drainage and prevent roots from excess moisture, clear your planter saucers 30 to 60 minutes after watering.

Consider using a turkey baster to drain the water from the saucer if your potted plant is too heavy for you to discharge more water. Don’t forget to remove the water drained from the drip pans in your hanging baskets for your plants!

Filling the bottom of your transparent plant saucers with pebbles or gravel will keep the soil from collecting too much water, which is another way to avoid root rot and plant death.

This is fantastic for plants that require a lot of humidity and gives you creative solutions for your saucers. These few points will help you ensure that your watering habits support healthy indoor plants.

Stops Animals from Drinking Water

Stops Animals from Drinking Water

Animals have become essential to our life. We all adore owning pets, but caring for them involves serious responsibilities. Pets and plants give vitality to our homes, but keeping them together is a constant problem.

Pets enjoy playing with plants, and occasionally they will even gnaw on the leaves for amusement. However, some plants are particularly hazardous for your cheery friend.

If pets are not taught to avoid plants, they will return to them repeatedly. While pets are allowed to sip water from the plant saucer, doing so may harm them because the water can have parasites or fertilizer that could harm your pet.

Therefore, it is preferable to empty the saucer of water after each watering session.

Conclusion

Last but not least, drain any extra water from the plant saucers within 30 to 1 hour of your watering activity. You may use a turkey baster, a towel, or just pick up the plant and pour the water into the basin to clear the gathered water. You, your dog, and the plant will all be safe if the collected water is removed.

Therefore, the next time you hydrate your plant, consider the risks that could arise from letting the water stay in the saucer. You may then keep coming up with some creative techniques to get the water from the saucer.

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