Everything about plant care on this page comes from UConn Home and Garden Education Center, Houseplant Watering Recommendations (homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu), checked 2026-10-13. PotPal's own features are described separately and are not a diagnosis.
Signs of overwatering
- Water stays in the saucer or cachepot and the mix stays saturated.
- Excess water pushes out oxygen and can kill roots, and damaged roots can invite disease.
- The plant may look wilted or droopy even though it has too much water.
Signs of underwatering
- Very dry mix pulls away from the sides of the pot, so water runs down the edges without reaching the roots.
- Each severe dry-out injures some roots.
What UConn suggests doing
- If the mix is too dry to absorb water, submerge the pot until air bubbles stop, then let it drain.
- Water thoroughly when the top inch is dry, rather than often and lightly.
- Empty saucers within about an hour so roots do not sit in water.
The check that settles it
Push a finger an inch into the mix. Dry and the plant is drooping: it is likely thirsty. Wet and drooping: do not add water, and check drainage.
Where PotPal fits
PotPal's Look at it feature describes what it sees in a photo, gives a status from five levels and up to three suggestions, and compares with the previous photo. It describes. It does not diagnose, so treat it as a second opinion next to the soil check.