My leaves are my most expressive feature, and they will clearly show you my distress. If you have overwatered me, my roots are suffocating in soggy, oxygen-deprived soil. This rot prevents them from absorbing water and nutrients, ironically causing my large, beautiful leaves to become soft, limp, and wilted. They may feel mushy to the touch and turn a sickly, pale yellow, often starting with the lower leaves. In severe cases, you might see blisters or lesions (oedema) where cells have burst from taking in too much water.
Conversely, if I am thirsty and underwatered, my entire leaf structure lacks the water pressure (turgor) to stay firm. My leaves will droop and feel dry, crispy, or papery to the touch. They will wilt in a dramatic, often curling, fashion. The color change is distinct from overwatering; they will turn brown, particularly at the edges and tips, and this browning will be dry and brittle. The wilt from thirst is a desperate attempt to reduce surface area and conserve water.
You must look beyond my leaves and check the environment my roots are living in. This is the most reliable diagnosis. Push your finger into the soil near my base. If I am overwatered, the soil will feel constantly wet, cold, and clumpy. It may have a sour or musty smell, indicating anaerobic conditions and root rot. A pot will feel abnormally heavy due to the waterlogged soil.
If I am underwatered, the soil will be dry and pull away from the edges of the pot. It will feel hard, crumbly, and dusty to the touch. The pot will be very light, as there is little to no moisture adding weight. For me, a Ligularia, who thrives in consistently moist (but not soggy) soil, either of these extremes is a sign that my needs are not being met.
If the symptoms above are ambiguous, you may need to gently lift me from my pot to inspect my roots. This is the most definitive check. Healthy roots are firm and typically white or tan. If I am suffering from overwatering, my roots will be dark brown or black, feel slimy and mushy, and will easily fall apart when touched. That foul, rotting smell is a sure sign of advanced root rot.
If I am underwatered, my roots will be brittle, dry, and shriveled. They may break off easily and will lack any moisture or flexibility. They are essentially desiccated and unable to perform their job of absorbing what little water might eventually be provided. While this damage is severe, dry roots often have a better chance of recovery than rotten ones if the watering issue is corrected promptly.
