Fix kit
Overwatering & root rot
Yellowing lower leaves, a plant that droops even though the soil is wet, or a sour smell from the pot often point to too much water. Watering problems are one of the most common reasons houseplants struggle.
What to do
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1 Check before you water: most houseplants want the top of the mix to dry out first. A moisture meter takes out the guesswork.
Shows how wet the soil is at root level, so you water when it is actually needed.
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2 Use a pot with a drainage hole, water until it runs through, then empty the saucer. Never leave the pot standing in water.
A pot with a drainage hole, the next size up when it is time to repot.
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3 If the soil stays wet and the plant keeps declining, ease it out and check the roots. Trim soft, dark roots and repot into fresh mix.
A ready-made indoor potting mix for repotting.
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4 Unglazed clay pots dry out faster than plastic or glazed ones, which helps plants that like to dry out.
Unglazed clay pots with drainage holes and saucers; the clay breathes, so the soil dries out faster.
Sources: OSU Extension: Houseplant care, MU Extension: Caring for houseplants
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