---
title: "Are there any tips on how to avoid overwatering? This happened to my…"
description: "Are there any tips on how to avoid overwatering? This happened to my poor monstera, she used to have five leaves but lost three to overwatering😭."
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/5D8D8utuMiUxIRsxsd12Jh"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Plum"
published: "2026-10-22T21:37:59.677887Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/a0IBJQIahVR7TLUOoUoFpLJkluYC58VSmdN7I33O3MI/R8NuaREGTtCdwut3uaVDow.webp?size=large"
---

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# Are there any tips on how to avoid overwatering? This happened to my…

_Posted by Plum on 2026-10-22_

Are there any tips on how to avoid overwatering? This happened to my poor monstera, she used to have five leaves but lost three to overwatering😭.

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/a0IBJQIahVR7TLUOoUoFpLJkluYC58VSmdN7I33O3MI/R8NuaREGTtCdwut3uaVDow.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/a0IBJQIahVR7TLUOoUoFpLJkluYC58VSmdN7I33O3MI/2boO2u5WQ0CQjrT-UNfvug.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### Summz commented on 2026-10-22

I find that I’m able to tell how wet a plant is by using these tips. Get yourself acquainted with the weight of that nursery pot when it’s wet vs. dry. When it is super lightweight it’ll be time to water. Stick your finger in the dirt up to the second knuckle and feel the dirt. When it’s damp, it also feels slight cooler. A lot of houseplants (not all, that’s where your research comes in) can absolutely handle drying out completely before needing to be watered again. It will take a little bit of practice, but you’ll get it!

### Nutshell commented on 2026-10-23

Get yourself a soil moisture meter. I know some hate it but it removes the guesswork of watering. The trick is to always poke several different spots in the pot to get the overall idea of how wet or dry the soil is.

#### KJM replied on 2026-10-23

I am not entirely opposed to moisture meters. I have one and I use it sometimes but, if you are fertilizing the ions in the fertilizer can cause the moisture meter to miss read because it is also reading ions.

#### Nutshell replied on 2026-10-23

That’s the part that I’ve never looked into before. Just based on my own experience, I use my meter all the time, and I fertilize every watering, I haven’t had any issue with overwatering

### Plum commented on 2026-10-23

Thank you for the advice😊

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