An overwatered clematis can have several signs that let you know that it has overwatered or that the drainage is not optimal.
These symptoms can also be synonymous with other problems, but improper watering is often the cause of plant problems.
So if you think you have a clematis that has been overwatered, here are the most common signs and in the end you can see how to save your plant.
Contents
yellow leaves
One of the most common signs of an overwatered clematis is yellowing of the leaves, as is the case with the vast majority of plants.
If there is too much water or if it sits still for too long, the roots are starved of oxygen and become unusable and unable to do their job.
The roots need to provide your clematis with water and nutrients, and if they don’t have space to breathe, you can expect the leaves to turn yellow before turning brown or dropping.
So if your clematis leaves have turned yellow, you probably have an overwatered clematis as this is the first thing to check as this is the most common reason.
It is possible that the yellow leaves are from something else, such as the following.
- harmful
- A nutrient deficiency
- little light
- burn fertilizer
But this is probably due to overwatering.
The leaves have turned brown.
Another sign that you have an overwatered clematis could be brown leaves, which usually continue to turn yellow before dropping.
Again, this is caused by standing water trapping the roots preventing them from working properly or all together causing discoloration.
You may even notice the leaves sag if this problem continues uncorrected.
Some other causes of brown leaves are as follows.
- Burned by the sun
- harmful
- lack of humidity
- burn fertilizer
Chances are you’ve overwatered or the soil isn’t draining well, but it’s still possible that you don’t have this problem and have one instead.
Dirty smell or dark roots
If you notice a foul odor emanating from the roots, or if the roots themselves have become dark or mushy, your clematis has root rot from overwatering.
This usually follows yellowing or blackening of the leaves and is a serious problem that must be addressed to save your plant.
If you don’t take action, your clematis will deteriorate further and the plant will eventually die.
Root rot isn’t just caused by overwatering, but it can also be the type of soil you use, especially if it doesn’t drain well or leave room for the roots to breathe.
hanging leaves
Another fairly common sign that you’ve overwatered your clematis is when you notice the leaves falling off.
This again happens when the roots are unable to supply essential water and nutrients to the plant, causing the leaves to dry up and wilt, similar to what the plant would look like if it were flooded.
While it’s completely normal for Clematis leaves to drop because the plant has been overwatered, it could be due to other issues, such as.
- Submarine
- harmful
- Too much light or heat
- little light
The ground is constantly wet.
Although Clematis likes the soil to be constantly moist, this plant does not like to be constantly soggy.
If the first inch or two of soil is still wet, then you’ve probably overwatered your clematis because the top soil needs to dry out before it can be watered again.
This will keep the bottom a bit moist but won’t allow water to pool, which actually causes problems.
After all, a clematis loves well-drained soil, so you’re failing if you allow water to seep into the soil by constantly giving your plant water before it has a chance to drain.
Don’t worry if you’re guilty of this, I know you’ll do better in the future!
How to save
If you notice any of these overwatering symptoms early on, you can simply adjust your watering frequency and your clematis will end well.
But before you do anything else, always check the roots first to make sure there is no major damage.
If the roots are firm, orange or white, then the roots are healthy and you can just water less.
However, if the roots have turned dark or mushy or have that weird smell, you definitely need to take action to save your overwatered clematis from root rot.
To do this, you must start by pulling your clematis out of the ground and pruning the damaged roots with garden shears or sterile pruning shears.
However, keep as many healthy roots as possible.
You should also prune any damaged or rotten leaves or any other affected plant parts.
Now get rid of the old soil, roots and other parts that you have pruned in a place inaccessible to other plants.
From there, you’ll want to transplant your clematis into fresh soil and a new container if you’ve already done so.
Now make sure the soil isn’t too tight and the new container isn’t too large, as a large pot can further increase the chances of overwatering.
Once all of that is done, you’re good to go!
That said, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to save your clematis from root rot, especially if it’s not treated quickly enough.
That’s why you need to act fast when you see the signs, because the sooner you act, the more likely you are to save your clematis!
How to avoid excess water
Now that you know the signs and how to save an overwatered clematis, you need to know how to avoid it in the future.
Prevention is its own form of strength when it comes to plant care and gardening.
So here are some helpful tips to reduce the risk of this happening.
- Water only when the top centimeter of soil is dry.
- Be sure to use well-drained soil
- Don’t tamp the soil too much.
- Use a container of the right size and not too large
- If in doubt, check the roots.
- Reduce the frequency of early waterings if you notice early symptoms
final thoughts
I’m sure if you take the time to read this article, you’ll be able to identify, treat, and prevent overwatering clematis.
Overall, I hope this process goes smoothly for you and you enjoy the process.