An overwatered Clematis can have several different signs letting you know you have been watering too much or the drainage isn’t the greatest.
These symptoms can be synonymous with other issues as well, but most of the time, improper watering is the root cause of plant problems.
So if you suspect you have an overwatered Clematis, here are the most common signs and at the end you can see how to save your plant.
Yellow Leaves
One of the most common signs you have an overwatered Clematis is yellow leaves as with the vast majority of plants.
When there is either overwatering or standing water for too long, this starves the roots of oxygen and renders them useless and unable to do their job.
Roots need to provide water and nutrients to your Clematis, and if their is no room for them to breathe then you can expect the leaves to turn yellowish before they turn brown and or fall off.
So if your Clematis leaves have turned yellow then odds are you do have an overwatered Clematis as this is the first thing to check since it’s the most common reason.
It’s possible that the yellow leaves could be from something else such as the following.
- Pests
- Nutrient deficiency
- Low light
- Fertilizer burn
More than likely it is from overwatering though.
Leaves Have Turned Brown
Another sign that you have an overwatered Clematis can be brown leaves, which usually follow the yellowing before they fall off.
This is once again caused by standing water trapping the roots, causing them to be unable to work properly or all together, resulting in the discoloration.
You may even notice the leaves falling off as this issue goes on longer without being corrected.
Some other causes for brown leaves include the following.
- Sun scorch
- Pests
- Lack of moisture
- Fertilizer burn
Odds are you have been overwatering or the soil doesn’t drain well though, but it’s still possible you may be in the clear of this issue and have one of those instead.
Foul Odor Or Dark Roots
If you notice a foul odor coming from the roots, or the roots themselves have turned dark or mushy, then your Clematis has root rot from overwatering.
This usually follows the leaves turning yellow or brown and is a serious issue that needs to be addressed in order to save your plant.
By not acting, your Clematis will deteriorate more and eventually the plant will die.
Root rot is not only caused by overwatering, but it could be the type of soil you’re using, especially if it doesn’t drain well or give the roots room to breathe.
Droopy Leaves
Another pretty common sign you have been overwatering your Clematis is when you notice the leaves are drooping.
This once again happens when the roots can’t provide water and essential nutrients to the plant, resulting in dehydration and wilting leaves as a result, similar to how the plant would look if it was underwatered.
While it’s pretty common for your Clematis leaves to droop from the plant being overwatered, it’s possible this could be caused by other issues such as.
- Underwatering
- Pests
- Too much light or heat
- Low light
The Soil Is Constantly Wet
Although a Clematis likes to have the soil moist consistently, this plant does not like to be constantly soaked.
If the top inch or two of the soil is always wet, then you certainly have been overwatering your Clematis as the top of the soil needs to dry out before giving more water.
This allows the bottom portion to stay a bit moist but doesn’t allow standing water which is what actually causes issues.
Afterall, a Clematis loves well draining soil so it defeats the purpose if you’re letting water get the soil soggy by constantly giving your plant a drink before it has a chance to drain.
Don’t worry if you are guilty of this, I know you’ll do better in the future!
How To Save
Now in the event of you catching any of these symptoms of overwatering early on, you can get away with just adjusting the frequency of watering and your Clematis will end up just fine.
But before you do anything else, you should always check the roots first to ensure there hasn’t been any significant damage.
If the roots are firm, orange and or white then the roots are healthy and you can just reduce the watering.
However, if the roots have turned dark or mushy or have that weird odor then you certainly need to take action to save your overwatered Clematis from root rot.
To do this you should start by removing your Clematis from the soil and prune back any damaged roots with some sterile gardening shears or scissors.
Keep as many healthy roots as you can though.
You should also prune back any damaged or rotted leaves or other parts of the plant that have been affected.
Now dispose of the old soil, roots and other parts you have pruned somewhere it can’t get to other plants.
From here you want to repot your Clematis in some fresh soil and a new container if that’s what you were doing before.
Now make sure the soil isn’t packed in too tight and that the new container isn’t too large as a large pot can make overwatering that much more likely to occur again.
Once all of this is complete, you will be good to go!
With all of that said, there is no guarantee you will be able to save your Clematis from root rot, especially if not acted on quickly enough.
That’s why you need to move fast if you see the signs as the sooner you act, the better chance you have at saving your Clematis!
How To Prevent Overwatering
Now that you know the signs and how to save an Overwatered Clematis, you should know how to prevent this from happening again in the future.
Prevention is it’s own form of power when it comes to plant care and gardening.
So here are some helpful tips to reduce the chances of this happening.
- Only water when the top inch of the soil has dried out
- Make sure to use well draining soil
- Don’t pack in soil too tight
- Use a container that is the right size and not too large
- Check the roots when in doubt
- Reduce watering frequency early on if you notice early symptoms
Final Thoughts
I’m confident that by you taking the time to read this article, you will be able to identify, treat and prevent overwatering a Clematis.
Overall I hope this process goes smooth for you and enjoy the process!