Clematis can be fairly easily overwatered, although they do like some moisture around their roots, but if their roots are constantly wet the plants will start to struggle and some of them may even develop root or crown rot which oftentimes is fatal.
Overwatered Clematis can develop root and crown rot, both of which can be fatal for the plants. Clematis wilt and general wilting can also occur if the plant gets too much water. To avoid overwatering your Clematis only water it when 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
Clematis need well draining soil, they will grow in clay soil as well but they tend to be more prone to being overwatered in clay soil because it drains fairly poorly. Clematis that are growing in pots can be easily overwatered, although before the plant starts to suffer you will most likely see black mold growing on top of the soil. If black mold is growing around the Clematis on top of the soil, then it is time to significantly cut back on watering.
Even if the Clematis has been overwatered it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will die, in most cases, it will start to wilt and lose some of its leaves, but it will bounce back once most of the water has evaporated. If your Clematis is not flowering then check out my recent article Clematis Not Flowering ( 10 Most Common Reasons ).
Overwatered Clematis
Overwatering is a common mistake that can negatively impact the health of clematis plants. When clematis is overwatered, the roots become waterlogged, leading to root rot and other problems. Signs of overwatering in clematis include yellowing leaves, wilting, and the development of fungal diseases. To prevent overwatering, it is important to establish a proper watering routine.
Clematis plants generally prefer evenly moist but well-drained soil. Before watering, check the moisture level of the soil by inserting your finger into the soil to a depth of about an inch. If it feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water. Ensure that the soil has good drainage to prevent water from pooling around the roots. Additionally, consider the weather conditions and adjust the watering frequency accordingly. It’s better to underwater than overwater clematis, as the plant can tolerate short periods of drought but is more sensitive to excess moisture. If you suspect overwatering, allow the soil to dry out before watering again.
Root Rot
One of the main results of overwatering the Clematis is root rot, this usually is fatal, but if the plant still has some healthy roots, you might be able to revive it. Root rot is caused by the roots sitting in water for a prolonged period of time. The roots of the Clematis will simply die if constantly in water, and as they are slowly starting to rot away, the entire plant might die, usually from the bottom up.
To make sure that your Clematis has root rut, simply dig it up, if the roots are brown, soft, and mushy then it is root rot. In order to get rid of root rot, you should remove all the rotten parts of the plant, and replant it, if there are at least some healthy roots then the plant should bounce back. 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 ).
Crown Rot
Clematis crown rot is fairly similar to root rot, and oftentimes both these will be present if the Clematis has been overwatered for way too long. The crown of the Clematis is where the roots and the stem of the plant meet, usually, the crown is just above the soil. If the crown of the Clematis starts to rot then, the leaves and stems will start changing color to brown or simply fall off.
There is not a lot you can do if the Clematis has crown rot, you could cut vertically the crown, and replant the remaining crown that has not yet rotten, but it is not guaranteed that the plant will bounce back. If you spot the crown rot early enough, before the stems actually die, then you can cut off the stem and simply let it root and then replant it. If your Clematis is dying from the bottom up then check out my recent article Why Is My Clematis Dying From The Bottom Up? ( Top 5 Reasons ).
Clematis Wilt
Clematis are prone to developing Clematis wilt which needs high humidity in order to survive. The Clematis wilt is a fungus called Calophoma clematidina, and oftentimes it is deadly to most plants that get it. Overwatered Clematis are prone to developing Clematis wilt, and once this fungus gets established on the plant it will slowly kill it. Large flowered Clematis like Clematis Honora, Clematis Jackmanii, and Clematis Rouge Cardinal are more likely to get Clematis wilt than other Clematis varieties.
To get rid of Clematis wilt, you will have to address the high humidity issue, usually, this means that you will have to replant the Clematis in another location. You can also use copper liquid fungicides to kill the fungus that is causing Clematis wilt, but if you do not address the water issue the wilt will come back after a while.
Wilting
Do not confuse Clematis wilt with the Clematis simply wilting, the first is caused by a fungus, and the second one is caused by under or overwatering the plant. Clematis can wilt just like any other plant especially if it has been overwatered. If your Clematis seems to be fine, but slightly drooping, once you water it the plant should perk up. If the Clematis doesn’t perk up then it is very likely that it is suffering from overwatering.
If your Clematis is wilting, then you will see the leaves getting limp, after a couple of days, these leaves are very likely to turn brown and simply fall off. The good news is that in most cases the Clematis will bounce back in a couple of weeks, but only if you limit how much water you give them.
Black Mold
One telltale sign that your Clematis is being overwatered is that black mold will grow on top of the soil. This usually tends to happen for Clematis that are growing in pots, although you might notice it occasionally in the garden as well. As the black mold is growing on top of the soil, it will limit the air circulation and will compete with the Clematis both for water and nutrients as well.
The easiest way of getting rid of the black mold is to simply stop watering for a couple of days until the black mold is gone. If the black mold is still persisting even after several days of not being watered and the Clematis is starting to wilt, then it is time to repot the Clematis into a fresh potting mix.
Key Takeaways
- Overwatering Clematis can result in root rot, crown rot, Clematis wilt, wilting, and even black mold growing on top of the soil.
- If you have been overwatering your Clematis then simply stop watering them for a couple of days, they should perk up.
- Only water the Clematis once the top inch of the soil is dry.