From our perspective, the soil is our entire world. We rely on our roots not just to anchor us, but to breathe. When you give us too much water, it fills all the air pockets in the soil. Our roots, much like your lungs, need oxygen to function. This constant saturation leads to a condition you call root rot. Essentially, our root cells begin to drown and die, turning from a healthy white to a mushy, dark brown or black. These decaying roots can no longer absorb water or nutrients, creating a cruel irony: we are dying of thirst and starvation while standing in water.
We cannot speak, so we communicate our distress through our leaves and overall appearance. Please learn to read our signs. The most telling symptom is soft, mushy, and translucent leaves, often starting at the base. This is because the damaged roots cannot take up water, causing our own cells to burst from the excess. You might also notice our leaves turning yellow or a pale, sickly green as we lose our ability to produce chlorophyll. Unlike the firm, plump leaves of a thirsty Haworthiopsis, an overwatered one will feel soft and squishy. In severe cases, our stem may also become soft and blackened, a sign of advanced rot that is very difficult to recover from.
If you see these signs, immediate action is required to save us. First, you must gently remove us from our pot. Carefully inspect our root system. Healthy roots are firm and white or tan. Use sterile scissors to trim away all the soft, brown, or black rotten roots. Be ruthless; any rot left behind will spread. After the surgery, leave us out of soil in a warm, shaded, and well-ventilated area for several days to allow the wounds to callous over completely. This is a critical step to prevent re-infection.
Once we have calloused, repot us into a completely fresh, dry succulent or cactus mix. This specialized soil is designed to drain quickly and mimic our natural gritty environment. Crucially, the new pot must have ample drainage holes. Do not water us immediately! The shock and the moisture in the new soil are enough. Wait at least a week, or even longer, until you see signs of new growth, before giving a small drink. This pause allows us to focus energy on growing new, healthy roots to seek out water on our own terms.
To prevent this from happening again, please change your watering habits. We are desert dwellers by nature, built to store water in our leaves for long periods. The best method is the "soak and dry" approach. Water us thoroughly only when the soil is completely dry all the way to the bottom of the pot. You can check this with a moisture meter or a wooden skewer. Then, drench the soil until water flows freely from the drainage holes. Do not water again until the soil has completely dried out. In winter, when we are dormant, we need even less water, sometimes only once a month or less.
