One common and often misunderstood sign of overwatering is yellowing leaves that feel soft or mushy, sometimes combined with drooping. People see droopy leaves and think “more water,” when in many cases, the roots are already sitting in soggy soil and starting to suffocate or rot.

Check the soil with your finger. If the top feels wet or very damp and the plant still looks sad, water is likely the problem. Healthy soil should be allowed to dry slightly between waterings, depending on the plant type. Constantly wet soil with poor drainage is a recipe for trouble.

You might also notice a musty smell from the pot, mould on the surface, or fungus gnats flying around. These are all hints that the environment is too wet.

It feels counterintuitive, but sometimes the kindest thing you can do is to water less, not more. Letting the top inch of soil dry before watering again is a good basic rule for many common houseplants.