July 3, 2023, 1:25 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
It can happen quickly: A little too much enthusiasm with the watering can, and you’ve overwatered the plant. A life hack is supposed to save the greenery and remove the excess water from the flowerpot. myHOMEBOOK tried it out.
The internet is full of the craziest life hacks, tips, and tricks. One of them is supposed to help save plants from drowning. Just one moment of inattention, and you’ve overwatered the pretty greenery. All you need is a regular tampon. It is said to absorb the moisture in the soil and function like a drainage system. Once the tampon has absorbed the water, you can simply pull it out–at least in theory. In the myHACKCHECK video, you can find out if it works in practice.
Saving an Overwatered Plant with a Tampon–Does the Life Hack Work?
Since waterlogging is absolutely unhealthy for plants, quick action is important. The absorbency of tampons can help save the plants. Indeed, the tampon visibly absorbs the watering can water in the flowerpot after a short time. However, it naturally depends on how much excess water there is.
It’s important to actually insert the tampon into the soil and not just place it on the surface. Otherwise, it can’t absorb the moisture deep in the soil. In cases of severe overwatering, it might be worthwhile to place several “drainage tampons.”
Also interesting: Are there actually plants that tolerate waterlogging?
Note: You shouldn’t buy tampons specifically for this hack–that would be wasteful. However, if you already have some at home, you can repurpose them in an emergency. You can find more tips against waterlogging in plants in this article.
General Tips for Watering Plants
To prevent plants from standing in water in the first place, you should water them carefully. Giving plants too much water is much worse than occasionally giving them too little. Keep these tips in mind when watering:
- Only water a plant when it needs it. If the soil is still moist, skip watering. You can easily check by sticking your finger into the soil. If soil crumbs stick, it’s sufficiently moist.
- For houseplants, there should be a hole at the bottom of the container to allow excess water to drain into a saucer.
- Consider room temperature: Are the plants on a warm windowsill or in a cool bedroom? You should also adjust your watering accordingly.