From my perspective, the issue always begins where you can't see: my roots. When you overwater me, you are essentially suffocating me. My roots need oxygen as much as they need water. Constant sogginess fills all the air pockets in the soil, and my roots begin to drown and rot. This rot is a silent killer; it starts as brown, mushy roots that can no longer function, meaning they cannot absorb water or nutrients, no matter how much you give me. Conversely, when you underwater me, my roots are left in a desert. They become dry, brittle, and may even shrink. They desperately search for any hint of moisture, and without it, they cannot transport the life-giving water up to my leaves.
My leaves are my primary communication tool. Please learn to read them. In the case of overwatering, my leaves will feel soft and limp. They may droop, but they will feel mushy to the touch, almost like a piece of overcooked spinach. They often turn yellow, starting with the older leaves closer to the soil. This is a sign of systemic failure caused by the rotting roots. If you are underwatering me, my leaves will also droop, but their texture tells a completely different story. They will become dry, crispy, and papery to the touch. The droop is one of severe thirst and deflation. The leaves will often curl inwards or downwards in a desperate attempt to conserve what little moisture they have left. The yellowing is less common than with overwatering and is typically accompanied by extreme dryness and crispiness.
The medium I live in is the best indicator of my problem. You must check it regularly. If you are overwatering me, my soil will be constantly wet, cold, and likely have a musty or sour smell emanating from it—a telltale sign of root rot beginning. The pot will feel heavy due to the water weight. If you are underwatering me, the soil will be my enemy. It will be dry, hard, and pull away from the edges of the pot. It becomes hydrophobic, meaning when you do water it, the water may run straight through without being absorbed. The pot will feel exceptionally light, like there is nothing in it.
Observing *how* my condition changes is crucial. The symptoms of overwatering are often slow to appear but affect me systemically. The yellowing and mushy leaves will spread from the bottom of my vines upwards and from the oldest growth to the newest. It is a gradual decline. Underwatering symptoms appear more rapidly. I will perk up quickly (often within hours) after a thorough drink if my roots are still healthy. The damage from thirst is usually more immediate and dramatic, with wilting and crisping appearing on any leaf, though often starting at the tips and edges of leaves and affecting newer, more vulnerable growth as well.
