Why Is My Plants Soil Not Drying Out Fast? This is What Expert Says About It

When you notice your soil not drying out quickly,

it is usually a sign that something is wrong.

This problem is also the snake plant’s disadvantage.

It is preferable for plants to have soil…

…that gradually dries out after being watered,

…as opposed to being stuck in soggy soil.

This article will explain why the soil not drying out and how to fix each issue.

The soil not drying out is often a sign of inadequate drainage,

…low evaporation, or reduced water use by your plants.

Make sure the soil is well-draining and the container..

…has drainage holes so your plants can use the water more efficiently.

Increase light, ventilation, and temperature for improved evaporation.

A soil like that is unhealthy because it is nutrient-poor.

The soil may need fertilizer. Earthworm castings are an example of organic fertilizer.

Is there anything else we can do?

First, let’s investigate the cause.

Why Is My Soil Not Drying Out Fast?

“With all the rain we have had recently, soils can become waterlogged. This is terrible for your plants as it starves the roots of oxygen. In the longer term, this will suffocate your plants and kill them.”  

Charlie Albone – RichGro Ambassador

According to Charlie, the simple fix is to stop watering and allow the water to seep away…

…and give the plants a bit of a break.  

Charlie suggests you check the drainage condition if your soil isn’t drying out fast.

There may be a drainage issue with your garden so ensure…

…water isn’t stuck behind a structure and can get away.  

Here’s a trick from Charlie:

If you want to improve the drainage long-term, you can incorporate coarse sand…

…but wait until the soil dries out as you may destroy the structure if doing this to sodden soil.  

Indoor plants can also suffer if overwatered, so stick to once or twice a week…

…and allow the mix to dry out before watering if you are unsure.

Some other factors that might affect the soil are…

Low Light

Water is used much less efficiently when plants are in low light,

…so the soil stays wet longer after watering.

You will often end up with lots of water in your soil…

…if you keep your plants in low light conditions.

If the plant is not using it, it will remain there for a long time without being used.

If you move your plants to a brighter spot,

…you’ll notice they’ll grow more quickly

…and you’ll see a dramatic diminution in the length of time

…the soil takes to dry out. People who end up killing their houseplants…

…because of low light are most likely to do so because…

…it is so easy to overwater them when they don’t receive enough light.

The solution to this problem is that you can keep an LED Lamp at home.

Especially those ones with spectrum lights.

It will optimize the growth of your plants even at the lowest

Low Temperatures

Reduced temperatures slow evaporation from the soil,

…which is why the soil not drying out fast.

Low temperatures also result in your plants having less transpiration

…and slower growth, which has a lower water requirement.

In the rooms I grow houseplants in, I like to monitor the temperature…

…to make sure they do not suffer from temperatures that are too extreme.

Digital thermometers allow me to keep track of minimum, maximum,

…and current temperatures, so I can determine temperature fluctuations..

…are causing problems. A drafty window or a draft…

…from a heating or cooling appliance can cause drastic temperature changes.

A low temperature reduces evaporation, but it can also stress your plants,

…or directly harm them, making them less able to exploit the water in the soil.

Poor Ventilation

Reduced ventilation for your plants causes soil not drying out fast…

…due to a decreased rate of evaporation and transpiration.

Ventilation can be increased with a fan, or simply by opening a window,

…resulting in soil not drying out faster, reducing the risk of overwatering problems.

Poorly Draining Soil

You can determine if the soil is insufficiently well-draining..

…if water pools at the surface after watering,

or if drainage holes take a long time to empty after watering.

A lot of commercial houseplant soil mixes retain water well…

…but tend to drain poorly, making it difficult for the soil to dry out quickly after watering.

According to contentedplant, well-draining soil blends are ideal for Snake Plants because…

…they keep the roots oxygenated and free of clinging wet soil.

Perlite or pumice are excellent inorganic amendments

…for houseplant potting mixes, since they improve drainage

…and speed the soil’s ability to dry out.

They speed up the flow of water,

lower the soil’s overall water-holding capacity,

…and improve aeration, reducing the likelihood..

…that the soil not drying out rapidly enough.

A healthy houseplant can prove difficult to grow unless it is potted in the right soil.

Other than that…

Pots With Few Or No Drainage Holes

It is possible for the soil to remain wet for an extended period of time..

…when using pots without drainage holes.

Water remains in the soil until it is either used up by plants…

…or evaporates from the soil.

Houseplants grown in containers without drainage holes…

…are quite difficult to keep healthy. Sure, it’s possible,

…but it takes incredible attention to detail and has a low margin of error.

Pots with drainage holes that are not below the top 1/4 inch of the pot…

…can result in water pooling at the bottom of the pot.

Avoid the pots with drainage holes that are not below the bottom 1/4 inch of the pot.

Pots with too few drainage holes won’t provide much help with soil drainage.

Make sure you choose pots with plenty of holes, especially if you’re going to use plastic pots.

Excessively Large Pots

Many of us do not realize that this is an issue, yet it happens frequently.

The larger the pot, the more water it can hold.

Small pots usually do not have this problem.

The soil not drying out quickly unless you have equally large plants..

…that can use such a large amount of water.

Plants benefit from a little room for growth,

but too much room can cause more harm than good.

Select pots sized correctly to fit your plants.

The diameter of the pot should not be increased by more than 1-2 inches…

…when repotting plants for exactly the same reason.

Overpotting will lead to excessive moisture in the pot, which will result in rot.

Choice Of Pot

Compared to pots made of porous materials, such as terracotta,

…pots made of non-porous materials such as plastic

…and metal hold water much better. Switching to a porous material..

…can greatly increase the rate at which soil dries out.

The plastic pots I use for the majority of my plants make them require more care.

Even though I tend to use plastic pots because they are lighter…

…and easier to fit into decorative pots, this can make them considerably less healthy.

We all know that using terracotta pots is always the best choice for plants.

As they are natural and good for plant soil.

Is It Bad For Plants When Soil Dries Slowly?

Slowly drying soil is bad for a plant’s roots because they…

…are sitting in soggy conditions for an extended period of time.

A pot that takes over two weeks to dry out can result in root rot,

…symptoms of overwatering, and can even cause your plant harm.

In general, a pot’s soil should not take more than two weeks to dry out.

Growing houseplants normally often results in soggy soil that leads to root rot.

A plant suffering from root rot cannot obtain the essential nutrients…

…and water from the soil it needs to thrive, and this results in the plant dying.

Soggy soil is harmful to plants, not because of its abundance of water,

…but because of its lack of oxygen. Roots require clean,

…well-aerated soil to thrive, and soggy soil gets filled with water,

…preventing nutrient and oxygen exchange.

In addition to weakening the roots, this also leaves them vulnerable to disease,

…ultimately leading to death.

Now, check this out

How To Check Whether Soil Is Dry?

The idea of the soil not drying out makes sense,

…but how exactly do you check the soil for moisture?

Although wet or dry soil seems like such a simple thing, it is easy to misjudge.

A dry patch of soil can often be damp just an inch or two below the surface,

…or if the soil isn’t soaked evenly in watering, this can lead to a wet soil surface,

…but not enough moisture around the plant’s roots.

Follow these tips to make sure the soil is dry enough;

• Instead of just touching the surface of the soil, dig a few inches into it to feel for moisture.
• If you check the weight of the pot, you’ll be able to tell when your plant needs watering. Wet soil weighs significantly more than dry soil.
• It is useful for plants that like their soil fully dry before being watered, so check through the bottom drainage holes for wetness.
• The method of poking a dry skewer into the soil and checking for wetness will tell you whether the soil is still moist deeper down.
• Some people like to use moisture meters while I prefer to just use my finger and feel the weight of the pot. Moisture meters, however, can be helpful especially with large pots.
• If you intend to check the moistness of the soil, make sure to use a variety of techniques instead of just one.

You might be thinking…

How Can I Make My Soil Dry Faster?

You can speed up soil drying by increasing light, heat,

…and ventilation for your plant, making sure the soil and pot drain well,

…and choosing a pot that is appropriately sized for your plant.

Try moving the plant to a pot made of porous materials such as terracotta,

…and make sure the pot has access to drain after watering.

It’s likely that there are a variety of factors contributing..

…to the soil drying slowly, but a few small adjustments will lead to a much healthier plant.

We did a little research from FlourishingPlants about how to dry overwatered soil and it’s effective.

Ensure you choose a good-quality soil mix so the plants’ roots will have more ability to drain water faster.

Also not forget that pot is an important factor in soil not drying out fast…

…we researched that terracotta pots with drainage holes make it easier for plants…

…to breathe so they boost the plants growth in a lot healthier ways

How To Dry Wet Soil Fast

You can remove moisture from the soil if you see signs of overwatering on your plant so that it dries out quickly and avoids further damage.

• Put your plant in its potting soil and wrap newspaper or kitchen towels around it. Press the paper against the soil gently, allowing water to be absorbed onto the paper. This will rapidly dry out the soil and greatly increase aeration.
• You can also set the plant on dry soil after removing it from the pot. This will absorb some of the water by capillary action, and you will see that the soil becomes noticeably drier after a few hours.
• You can dry the soil by using a hairdryer near the roots after removing the plant from its pot. You should be careful not to blow the roots off the soil, but this can work wonders on the soil.
• If you have some soil left on the periphery of the rootball, gently remove it, taking care not to disrupt the roots, and then repot in the same container, using dry soil. I have done this many times and found it works well. Other underlying problems need to be resolved, but drying out the soil quickly helps improve the condition of your plants.

Conclusion

It can be difficult to know when the soil in your garden is not drying out fast enough,…

…as the moisture levels can seem normal. However, there are a few hidden causes that you may not be aware of.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Soil Is Not Drying Fast

How to make sure the soil is not too moist?

It’s the time of the year when the soil starts drying out and plants start to wilt.

Unfortunately, many people do not know how to properly water their plants.

One of the most common causes of soil moisture being too high is watering Wisely.

This means watering your plants only when the soil is dry to the touch,…

…rather than watering them every time the soil feels wet. To check the moisture level in the soil,…

…Poke a hole in the soil of your pot and watch how fast water seeps out.

If the hole stays wet for long, the soil moisture level is probably too high.

Additionally, be sure to Water Wisely this Spring! That means watering your plants only…

…when the soil is dry to the touch and using a water meter to track the amount of water used.

If you notice drainage issues, water your plants less frequently by adding more compost…

…or sharp sand to the soil. Lastly, add more organic matter like compost…

…or sharp sand to the soil if it seems dryer

7 Quick Ways to Dry Garden Soil

If you’re experiencing soil dryness in your garden, it could be due to a number of factors.

To get to the root of the problem, inspect the length of soil pathways underneath your plants,…

…check the water main close by, and consider the size and type of plant you have,…

…look for signs of rodents or other animals, and check the drainage.

If fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides are causing the soil to dry out, make sure to remove them.

If the area where your plants are growing is wetter than the soil around it,…

…make sure to drainage the area. By following these easy tips, you’ll be on your way…

…to getting your garden soil drying out fast! these 7 causes,…

…you can quickly solve the problem and get your garden back on track!

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Last Word

Growing houseplants often involves overwatering…

…and root rot that occurs from not allowing the soil to dry out.

The right type of lighting, soil, and pots can make all the difference…

…in the world to your plants’ growth and make growing plants so much more enjoyable.