From my perspective, rooted in this pot, the first and most critical crisis of overwatering occurs where you cannot see it: my root system. My roots need to breathe, drawing oxygen from the air pockets within the soil. When you provide too much water, it fills these precious spaces, drowning my roots. They begin to suffocate and rot. This root rot is a silent killer. Initially, the roots will turn from a healthy white and firm texture to a mushy, dark brown or black state. They may even emit a foul, decaying smell. Without functional roots, I cannot absorb water or nutrients, no matter how much you give me, which triggers a cascade of problems throughout my entire being.
My leaves are the most visible indicator of my distress. When my roots are rotting and unable to function, my leaves will show clear signs of suffering. The most common symptom is a dramatic change in color. The vibrant green will fade, often turning a pale, washed-out yellow. This yellowing typically starts with the older, lower leaves first. More alarmingly, the leaves will lose their characteristic firm, slightly springy texture. Instead of feeling taut and full of life, they will become soft, limp, and floppy. You might describe them as feeling "mushy" or overly pliable. They may droop dramatically or even collapse entirely, losing all structural integrity.
While you observe my leaves, also pay attention to my foundation: the soil. An overwatered pot feels profoundly different from a healthy one. Lift my container. If I am waterlogged, I will feel unexpectedly and excessively heavy due to the water saturation. The soil itself will cling together in a cold, wet, muddy mass. It will not have the light, crumbly texture that allows my roots to explore and breathe. Furthermore, the lack of oxygen and the process of root decay will often cause the soil to develop a musty, unpleasant odor. This smell of decay is a definitive sign that the environment around my roots has become toxic and anaerobic.
Beyond the leaves and soil, other physical signs can confirm your suspicion of overwatering. In a desperate, last-ditch effort to survive, I might attempt to grow tiny, swollen nodules along my stems or even on the surface of my leaves. These are called oedema (or edema). They occur when my roots, under pressure from the saturated soil, continue to push water up into my cells, which then swell and burst because the transpiration process cannot keep up. Additionally, you may notice the base of my plant, where the leaves meet the soil, becoming soft, brown, and rotten. In severe, advanced cases, the entire plant may become so destabilized by the rotten roots that it topples over or can be easily lifted from the pot.
