Adding a plant saucer to your pots might look good, but if you aren’t careful, it could also cause your plants to rot.
Kevin Parker is a senior horticulturist at The Greenery Garden and Home. He says any plant growing in a pot needs good drainage.
How to stop your plants from rotting
“Any plant you grow in a pot must be in a potting mix. The pot needs to have holes in the bottom to let the water out, and you shouldn’t have a plate sitting under it,” says Kevin.
If you leave your plant sitting in the saucer too long, the roots become too wet.
“When you water your plant, the water runs through and sits in the saucer and all the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot are covered with water,” says Kevin.
“That stops air from getting through the soil. The soil becomes wet and stagnant, and the roots and the plant will rot and die off.”
That said, if you have your heart set on a saucer for your pots, make sure you empty the water out of the dish after watering. Or take your pots outside, water them and bring them back once the water has drained.
More tips for looking after your houseplants:
- Don’t overwater: this can also cause root rot. Dip your finger in the soil to check for moisture before watering.
- Sunlight: make sure they are sitting in a spot with the right amount of the sun for the type of plant
- Let them settle: don’t move them around too much: once your plants are in the right spot, they don’t enjoy being moved around.
- Keep them clean: remove dead leaves and keep an eye out for dust build-up.
You might also like:
10 best low-light indoor plants
6 ways you’re killing your houseplants
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