Before you can help me, you need to understand my language. I cannot speak, but I communicate my distress clearly through my leaves and stems. If my roots are drowning in water, my leaves will turn a sickly yellow and feel soft and mushy. You might even see them dropping off. The soil will stay wet for an unusually long time, and a foul, musty smell might emanate from the pot—this is the smell of my roots decaying. If, instead, my roots are so cramped they can no longer support my growth, you will see different signs. My growth will slow to a halt, and my new leaves may be small and pale. The roots might even be visibly circling the top of the soil or poking out of the drainage holes. In severe cases, the pot itself might become distorted or even crack from the pressure of my constricted root ball.
If you suspect I am overwatered, immediate action is critical. First, you must stop watering me at once. Gently tilt my pot and carefully lift me out to assess the damage. You will need to inspect my root system. Healthy roots are firm and white or light tan. If they are dark brown, black, slimy, and have a rotten smell, they are suffering. Using sterile pruning shears or scissors, you must trim away all the rotted roots. This is a surgical procedure to save my life; leaving the rot will allow it to spread. After the surgery, repot me into a clean pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix. The new pot must have adequate drainage holes. Do not be tempted to water me deeply immediately after repotting. My remaining healthy roots are traumatized and vulnerable to rot. Instead, give me a light watering just to settle the new soil around my roots, and then place me in a bright spot with indirect light to recover.
If my roots have formed a tight, tangled mass, I am crying out for more space. The process to relieve me is repotting. Choose a new pot that is only 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than my current one. A pot that is too large will hold excess soil and water, creating the perfect conditions for the overwatering problem we just discussed. Before placing me in the new pot, you must gently loosen my root ball. You can use your fingers to carefully tease apart the outer roots. This might feel harsh, but it is necessary to encourage my roots to grow outward into the new soil instead of continuing their circular pattern. For extremely tight roots, you can make a few shallow vertical cuts down the sides of the root ball with a clean knife. Fill the new pot partway with a well-aerated potting mix, place me inside, and fill in the gaps with more soil. Water me thoroughly after repotting to help my roots make contact with their new environment.
Whether I am recovering from overwatering or being root-bound, my needs for a successful recovery are similar. Please place me in a location with bright, indirect sunlight. Direct, harsh sun will scorch my stressed leaves. Maintain a consistent, warm temperature, as I am sensitive to drafts and sudden temperature changes. Most importantly, you must change your watering habits. Do not water me on a fixed schedule. Instead, learn to check the soil moisture. Insert your finger about two inches into the soil. Only when that depth feels dry should you provide a deep, thorough watering, allowing the excess water to drain completely from the holes in the bottom of my pot. This cycle of wet and dry is what my roots need to become strong and healthy again.
