1. Overwatering
Overwatering = too often, not too much.
It happens when you water before the soil dries, and roots don’t get enough air.
Common causes:
💡 Don’t water on a schedule — water based on soil moisture.
2. Treating all plants the same
Each plant has different needs.
Watering, light, soil, and humidity all affect how it grows.
What works for one can harm another — always check what your plant prefers.
3. Not enough light
I used to put plants far from windows and wonder why they died.
Most homes are darker than they seem, and many plants won’t survive in low light.
Pothos, snake plants, zz plants, heart leaf philodendron all can survive, but won’t thrive.
Give your plants more light, and they’ll grow faster, stronger, and more vibrant.
4. Repotting too soon
Roots growing out of the drainage hole doesn't always mean rootbound — they’re usually just reaching for moisture.
A plant is rootbound when roots are tightly circling the pot, there’s barely any soil left, and it starts getting much thirstier than usual.
You can check by using a clear pot or gently sliding the plant out.
Clear Pots → Under 8 inches | Larger Pots
5. Disturbing the roots during a repot
“Loosening the roots” often does more harm than good.
Unless a plant is severely rootbound, I just repot into fresh soil without touching the roots.
If I do need to detangle, I water the day before to soften them and work gently so they don’t get torn.