From my perspective, a succulent desperate for water is in a state of conservation and slow decline. My soil environment is bone-dry, pulling away from the edges of my pot. My roots are brittle and may have started to die back, making it harder for me to absorb moisture even when it is finally provided. The most visible sign is my leaves. They become soft, thin, and wrinkled. They may start to flatten out or curl inward as I try to reduce my surface area to prevent further water loss. The vibrant colors I once had often fade, and I lose my characteristic plumpness. I am essentially using up the internal water reserves stored in my leaves to survive, causing them to shrivel. I am not dying yet, but I am calling out for a deep, thorough drink.
In contrast, an overwatered succulent is a plant in a state of suffocation and systemic crisis. The problem begins at my roots, which are sitting in consistently soggy soil. This environment starves my root system of oxygen and creates the perfect conditions for root rot fungi and bacteria to attack. As my roots decay, they turn black or brown and become mushy, completely losing their ability to take up water or nutrients. Ironically, this leads to a similar above-ground appearance to underwatering, but with a critical difference: the leaves become overly full, translucent, and squishy to the touch—like an overfilled water balloon. They may turn yellow or black and drop off at the slightest touch. The stem itself may also become soft and discolored. I am not drowning in water; I am dying from a lack of oxygen and the ravages of rot that the excess water has invited into my home.
To understand my distress signal, you must carefully observe my leaves. The texture is the most reliable indicator. When I am underwatered, my leaves are wrinkled and feel thin, papery, or leathery. They are desperate to be filled. When I am overwatered, the affected leaves feel bloated, mushy, and translucent. They are so full of water that my cells have burst—a condition called edema. Another distinction is the pattern of leaf loss. An underwatered succulent will typically reabsorb its lower leaves in a dry, controlled manner; they dry out completely and turn crispy before falling. An overwatered succulent loses leaves that are still full and often discolored (yellow or black); they drop easily while still containing moisture.
My soil and root condition tell the true story that my leaves can only hint at. If you suspect you are miswatering, you must check beneath the surface. Gently remove me from my pot. If I am underwatered, the soil will be dry and dusty, and my roots will be dry, brittle, and potentially shriveled. If I am overwatered, the soil will feel cold and wet, and a musty odor might be present. My roots will be the definitive proof: healthy roots are firm and white or tan, while rotten roots are dark brown or black, slimy, and fall apart easily. Addressing overwatering requires immediate surgery—cutting away all the rot and repotting me in fresh, dry, well-draining soil.
