How to rescue your overwatered plants from the big box stores
Houseplant collecting has become a trend since the pandemic hit. Due to import and export limitations, prices have skyrocketed, especially when it comes to private sellers and rare plants. Not everyone can afford to buy pricey collector plants, and many of us have been struggling because of losing jobs and missing opportunities.
Without empty our bank accounts, we can often find some exciting houseplants at big box stores like Lowe's and Home Depot. However, have you had this experience of bringing the plants home, and it started to deteriorate in a week and eventually died off? Unfortunately, this is one of the disadvantages compared to buying from a private seller. Plants are usually more stable coming from private collectors. With ethical sellers, they have been growing the plants for some time, and it is unlikely for the plants to have dramatic change after you buy them. Plants from big box stores often come from the corporate greenhouses, where there was a perfect water condition, light, and humidity to help the plants grow fast and thrive. The plants arriving at the big box stores probably suffered some level of shipping stress, and what worst was the overwatering. Whenever you pick up one of their hanging plants, it is expected that the plant is soaking wet. You can tell the soil has tons of water by its weight; it is like carrying a full water bucket. Plants in this condition won't be alive for long if you don't fix the problem. Indeed, you can repot the plant, but I will admit, I am lazy when it comes to repotting plants. I only do it when I am out of options.
From my personal experience, there are 3 things I pay attention to when fixing the problem. Ultimately it comes down to water, light, and timing. Since I started to follow this method, I haven't lost a plant because of their overwatering issue.
Water
First, let's talk about water since it is the culprit of this topic. How do you get rid of excess water without repotting? My number one method is to let it sit on layers of paper towels. I keep swapping the paper towels until the pot doesn't feel heavy or doesn't say "wet" on the moisture meter. This may not be the most eco-friendly way, but it effectively takes control over the overwatering problem. Maybe it is time to stock up recycled paper towels, or you can try doing it with those super absorbent microfiber clothes.
Light
I have noticed, some plants can handle wet soil for a while if they get bright light. A couple of years ago, when I got my Hoya Curtisii, the soil was soaked from overwatering. Back then, I didn't have enough experience to realize I needed to do something about it, but I did put it by the window, and it got a lot of afternoon light. I think it went through a month without being water again, and it actually survived without dropping any leaves. Since then, I have experimented with providing more light to those overwatered plants, so far, most of them are doing well, and I don't have to use up too many paper towels. As long as the plant is not sensitive to bright light, you don't have to let it sit on paper towels for too long by giving it extra bright light. You can also consider leaving it outside if the weather permits. Plants tend to be more easy-going when they are growing outdoors.
Timing
Lastly, the survival of the plants depends on when you bought them. The plants would have the best surviving rate if you purchased them right off the shelf when the store was freshly restocked. That way, the plants haven't been sitting in wet soil for too long, and perhaps the rotting hasn't started. If the plant had been a week old at the store and showing signs of deterioration, it's best to stay away unless you have time to rehab the poor plant.
I hope my experience helps you taking care of your overwatered plants from the big box stores, and happy shopping! Let's grow more plants and be happy! Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or have tips that I didn't mention.
