Here are some signs that your plants are being underwatered ¹:
- Wilted leaves: Wilting is the most common response to drought stress. When a plant isn’t getting enough water, the cells lose turgidity and shrivel up, causing the leaves and stems to droop.
- Dry, cracked soil: Dried-out plants almost always have cracked, dusty, or dehydrated soil around their root zone. If you put your finger into the soil and it feels dry, it’s a clear sign that your plant is thirsty.
- Yellowing leaves: When a plant lacks water, it has difficulty transporting nutrients to its leaves, causing leaf discoloration due to a lack of chlorophyll.
- Crispy or curling leaf margins: If the edges of a plant are curling inward, shriveling up, and feel crispy in texture, it’s a sign of water stress.
- Leaf drop: When a plant is extremely underwatered, it will no longer be able to support all of its foliage. It may start to shed and drop withered leaves as a last-ditch effort to conserve energy and try to survive.
- Stunted or slow growth: If your plant seems to be staying the same size or growing agonizingly slowly, it may not have enough water to support the formation of new roots, stems, and leaves.
- Brittle, dry roots: If you flip over a potted plant or dig up your in-ground plant, you will likely find the roots brittle and breakable. Healthy roots should be pliable and firm.
- Soil pulling away from pot edges: Potted plants usually display a very noticeable sign of underwatering: the soil seems to pull away from the edges of the container.
- Pest infestation: Underwatered plants become very stressed and vulnerable to attack by insect pests.
- Dropped flower buds: Drought-stricken plants typically drop their flower buds prematurely as a survival mechanism.
- Reduced fruit set: Plants that become extremely stressed from lack of water usually stop producing fruits or seeds.
