Houseplants You Can’t Kill By Overwatering

You might think that underwatering is the main cause of houseplant mortality. In a way, that’s true: more plants eat dandelions by the roots through drying out than through drowning. But surprisingly, overwatering is also the cause of many houseplant deaths.

For some gardeners, the fear of losing plants by forgetting to water them prompts them to make sure that the plants really, really do not lack water. We want so much to be sure… that we overdo it… a little.

For those who are more of a “go, go watering” type than a “think about it and forget about it” type, here are some houseplants that literally love to live with both feet in water all the time.

Lots of water often means aquatic!

As you will see in a few minutes, the majority of indoor plants that tolerate living with both feet in water are mainly plants that could be found at the edge of the water garden. They are considered indoor plants because they can live very well in the comfort of homes. Sometimes, they are plants that grow just as well in regular flowerbeds as in a humid environment. In short, plants that have good tolerance to a wide range of conditions.

It takes drainage holes

Although these plants are perfectly happy in very moist soil, you still need to make sure that the growing containers have drainage holes. Excess water must be able to drain away. This is done by placing the plant in a large, perfectly watertight saucer, a plastic tub or a decorative planter that will collect the excess water. This also allows you to water in two ways: upwards, as is most often done, or through the saucer, which is commonly called watering from below.

Either way, it is best to allow a short rest of two or three days before generously watering these plants again.

Papyrus (Cyperus spp.)

First sold as aquatic plants, it was soon realized that the beautiful large papyrus plants could grow very well in decorative pots and in ordinary flowerbeds. Being tropical plants unable to survive the cold, it was therefore customary to bring them indoors for the winter. And oh! Surprise! They make very beautiful houseplants.

Papyrus plants like full sun, which makes them interesting near large windows on the south side. They are much fuller when you make sure to keep the soil constantly moist. You can simply place them in a large plastic tub that you fill with water once in a while.

Elephant ears (Colocasia spp. and Alocasia spp.)

Native to humid tropical areas, colocasias and alocasias, better known as elephant ears, behave similarly to papyrus. That is, they are originally aquatic plants that can be grown in regular flower beds. Then, in winter, they are installed indoors.

These plants prefer good light, but without direct sunlight. Like papyrus, they are placed in a large container that is filled with water. The soil can be allowed to dry slightly on the surface before watering again.

Lemongrass, the real one (Cymbopogon spp.)

Not to be confused with lemon verbena (Aloysia spp.) or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). This grasslike plant that produces the beautiful aromatic sticks is indeed a plant that likes humidity a lot.

Like its two previous counterparts, it can be grown outdoors in regular soil as well as in a more humid place. But once indoors, it is with generous watering that the plant is kept alive and abundant. It is a plant that deserves to be discovered, because its indoor cultivation allows it to be used year-round to flavor the broths of Asian soups. In the house, it will be installed near a sunny window.

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

Also little known, cardamom can be compared to ginger or turmeric. It is a small, suckering plant that is best grown in a container, summer and winter. The pot is filled with beautiful cut leaves that can be used to flavor hot milk that will then be used in the preparation of various recipes. We use the leaves because in Nordic gardens, the plant flowers very rarely, if ever, and therefore does not produce seeds. It is these that are sold whole or ground in small spice bags.

In any case, cardamom likes to be placed in a saucer filled with water, both summer and winter. Indoors, it must be provided with good light, but not necessarily direct sunlight.

Potted basil (Ocimum basilicum)

I’ll conclude with another plant that is not really a houseplant, basil. We often end up getting a basil plant grown in a small square pot in winter… because fresh basil is so good in a recipe! Then, we hope to be able to keep it alive as long as possible.

Well, the secret to making this plant last over time is to grow it in a pot filled with water! Indeed, the substrates used for the production of these plants are designed to facilitate and accelerate production in greenhouses. They are also very light, to facilitate transport. In conclusion, they retain very little water. This is why, barely the day after a good watering, the basil already begins to wilt and lose leaves. My trick to keep my basil alive on my windowsill is to place the pot in a plastic container and water by filling the pot! I confirm, there is never too much water for basil!

You will understand, in light of this list, that very few more classic indoor plants tolerate excess water. Even our unkillable pothos, which are propagated by cuttings directly in water, can suffer from root rot if they are overwatered. And water-hungry plants, such as walking irises (Neomarica spp.) always need a little break between two generous waterings.

So the moral of the story is that for those who like to overwater their houseplants, it’s best to consider aquatic plants that can survive indoors!