Overwatred Clematis can be saved although it really depends on how much damage the overwatering has done. If you overwater your Clematis once or twice, then don’t worry about it, but if you start seeing the signs that the plant is starting to struggle then you need to take action as soon as possible.
To save the overwatered Clematis you will have to let the soil dry out, during this time you will have to remove the dead or dying leaves. If the Clematis looks like it is on its last leg, and you do not want to wait until the soil dries out, then repot or replant it into fresh and dry soil. To avoid overwatering the Clematis put one of your fingers into the soil, and only water if the top inch of the soil is dry.
If your Clematis has some kind of fungus growing on it due to overwatering, then my personal recommendation is to use a liquid copper fungicide Click here to check it out on Amazon.com
The good news is that it is not that easy to overwater Clematis, mostly because these plants have fairly shallow roots. With that being said, Clematis that are growing in pots are more prone to being overwatered, as there is a delicate balance between watering them too much or too little. Giving more water to the Clematis won’t make it grow larger or faster, but they will need a little bit of extra water once they are flowering.
If you tend to have fairly wet winters then it will be difficult to know if the Clematis is suffering from overwatering or it simply looks dead because it is dormant, in this case, do not touch the plant. If you want more info about overwatered Clematis then check out my recent article Overwatered Clematis ( Top 5 Signs And Remedies ).
How To Save Overwatered Clematis
If you have accidentally overwatered your clematis and it is showing signs of distress, there are steps you can take to help save it. First, stop watering the plant immediately and allow the soil to dry out. This may take several days or even a week, depending on the severity of the overwatering. Gently remove any standing water or excess moisture from the soil surface.
Once the soil has dried out, carefully inspect the roots for any signs of rot or damage. Trim off any affected roots and replant the clematis in well-draining soil or potting mix. Provide proper drainage for the plant by ensuring the pot or planting area has drainage holes. Monitor the plant closely and only water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering in the future by practicing proper watering techniques and allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Let The Soil Dry Out
If you have overwatered your Clematis you can still save it by cutting down the amount of water you give it. You will have to allow the topsoil to dry out before you water it again. Depending on how much moisture the soil holds this can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week. Once most of the water from the surrounding soil has evaporated the Clematis should perk up.
It is a lot easier to control the moisture level in pots, and the smaller the pots are the easier the water will evaporate. With that being said, make sure that the pot has a drainage hole, if it doesn’t the potting mix will hold way too much water and the Clematis will sooner or later wilt.
Repot The Clematis
If your Clematis is already under stress due to being overwatered the roots might start to rot. In order to make sure that the roots of the Clematis are actually rotting you will have to dig the plant up. If the roots are soft, mushy, and have a foul smell then they are rotten. At this point, it would be better to simply replant the Clematis than to wait for the soil to dry out, as the overwatering has already done some serious damage.
Some potting mixes or soils like clay tend to hold onto a lot of water, which can cause overwatering issues even if you rarely water the Clematis. If your Clematis is growing in clay soil and is often suffering from too much water, then you should amend the soil, so it drains a lot faster. If your Clematis is not flowering then check out my recent article Clematis Not Flowering ( 10 Most Common Reasons ).
Chop Off The Dead Leaves And Roots
If the Clematis has been overwatered for a prolonged period of time, then their leaves will turn brown and fall off. Oftentimes the entire stem of the plant can actually rot, in addition to the crown and the roots. It is only a matter of time until the brown leaves fall off, and you will be doing a favor to the plant if you cut them down. The dead roots should also be cut off, although at that point you should also replant the Clematis.
Some people cut in half the leaves of the Clematis, this way the plant will not struggle that much to feed the leaves, however, this isn’t really necessary. If the Clematis has no more healthy leaves, then don’t worry, if it is still alive it will have some new growth in a couple of weeks. If the leaves of your Clematis are turning brown and crispy then check out my recent article Clematis Leaves Turning Brown And Crispy ( Top 6 Reasons ).
Put Some Rice Into The Pots
If you are growing your Clematis in pots, and you have overwatered it but you do not want to wait for several days until the pot dries out then you can use rice. White rice is excellent at sucking up water, and you can use this to your advantage. Just keep in mind that this method will only work for potted Clematis. Simply fill the top of the pot with rice, and the next day you will notice that most of the rice is swollen up and wet.
Do not allow for the wet rice to stay on top of the soil, as it will hinder water evaporation from the soil. Instead, just remove the wet rice and either allow the soil to dry out, or put some fresh and dry rice on it, from there on just repeat until the soil is dry. This method works really well for smaller pots, especially if the potting mix is waterlogged.
Key Takeaways
- You can save the overwatered Clematis by letting the soil dry out, repotting it, and by chopping off dead leaves and roots.
- Most Clematis will survive if they are overwatered for some period of time.
- If the Clematis looks almost dead due to overwatering then repot or replant it as fast as possible.