Never pot plants directly in non-draining containers. If you do use these types of pots, leave your plant in its drainable pot and then place that into the decorative container. When you water the plant, remove it from the non-draining container and place it in the sink. Let it drain completely before placing it back in the decorative pot. Also, never let a plant sit on the collected water of a saucer. Discard any water that remains on the saucer 30 minutes after watering.

Repot the plant into fresh new soil.

Overwatering your plants can be a problem of the past if you learn to read the soil, so don't be afraid to stick your finger into the potting medium. Study the earth and how it appears in your hand. If it's moist, it will likely appear black and will stick to your finger. When the soil is dry on top, don't arbitrarily add water, instead, stick your finger down deeper into the soil. If there is moisture below, wait a few days and recheck. The soil should be dry about 25% of the way down the pot before you water again.

Of course, when it comes to treating overwatered plants, there are some exceptions to every rule—sometimes the solution may be to simply move the plant into the correct light. Familiarizing yourself with your plants' watering instructions and following the advice given can reduce your chances of damaging them by overwatering. Getting to know your plants' needs intimately should give you the confidence to continue caring for them with ease.

Mary Praznik