From my perspective, the primary issue begins where you cannot see: my root system. My roots are not just anchors; they are my lungs, absorbing the oxygen dissolved in the tiny air pockets within the soil. When you provide too much water, these precious air pockets are flooded and disappear. I am literally suffocating. Without oxygen, my root cells cannot perform respiration, the process that gives me energy to grow and function. They begin to die, rot, and turn into a mushy, brown mess. This root rot is a death sentence if not caught early, as it destroys my entire ability to absorb water and nutrients, creating a cruel irony where I appear thirsty while actually drowning.
My foliage is the most visible billboard for my health, and it clearly displays the stress I am under from overwatering. The first sign you might notice is my leaves becoming soft, limp, and wilted. This is not the same as a thirsty wilt, where my leaves become dry and crispy. This is a soggy, weak wilt. Furthermore, my vibrant green color will start to fade, turning a sickly yellow (chlorosis). This happens because the rotting roots can no uptake essential nutrients, and the lack of oxygen disrupts my chlorophyll production. In severe cases, you may see dark, brown or black spots or lesions on my leaves and stems, which are signs of edema (where my cells burst from excess water) and the onset of fungal diseases that thrive in the wet conditions you have created.
If you notice that I have completely stopped producing new leaves or that my existing growth seems stunted and weak, it is a major indicator that my energy systems have shut down. All my resources are being diverted to simply survive the root crisis underground. There is no energy left for growth or for producing the aromatic oils that give me my wonderful scent and flavor. My entire biological purpose is put on hold. A lack of new growth, especially during my active growing season, is a silent but serious cry for help.
To save me, you must act quickly to replicate my preferred dry Mediterranean habitat. First, stop watering immediately. Gently lift me from my waterlogged pot. You must now assess the damage to my roots. Carefully wash the soil away and inspect them. Healthy roots are firm and white. Use sterile shears to prune away any that are brown, black, or mushy. After the surgery, repot me into a completely new, fresh, well-draining potting mix, ideally amended with perlite or coarse sand. Ensure the new pot has excellent drainage holes. Do not water me immediately after repotting; allow my wounded roots a day or two to callous over in the dry soil. Then, water me sparingly, only when the top inch of soil is completely dry. Finally, place me in a location with bright, indirect light and good air circulation to help the soil dry out and to reduce stress while I begin the slow process of regenerating my root system and recovering my health.
