Is Your Houseplant Soil Repelling Water? The Simple Fix That Rehydrates Roots

They say that water runs off a duck’s back. That’s perfectly normal given the specialized, waterproof coating the duck’s glands produce. But it isn’t normal at all when your houseplant soil repels water. Your potting soil has probably become hydrophobic. Hydrophobic literally means fear of water.

Do you have a plant that seems not to absorb moisture? You pour water into it, then, a minute later, it all comes out the drainage holes. Look closer and you'll see that the water has slid down the inside walls of the container, completely missing the inner soil. This means your potting soil has become hydrophobic. Caring for houseplants that are hydrophobic isn’t difficult if you know what to do.

The Great Disappearing Act: When Water Won't Soak In

There's little in life more rewarding than watering thirsty plants. The potting soil starts pale and dry; it finishes dark brown and moist. Perhaps the foliage is wilting a little and it quickly perks up and looks happy again. You feel good, and the plant does too.

There is little more frustrating than watering a thirsty plant that also happens to have hydrophobic soil. What is hydrophobic soil? Very simply, it's soil that won’t absorb moisture. The water just won’t sink into the soil even with regular watering, and your houseplant becomes stunted.

Why February Is the Breaking Point for Indoor Soil

February is the month of transition for houseplants as they move from winter dormancy to spring growth. That makes it a breaking point for houseplant soil. It is suddenly called upon to support new growth but is not fully recovered from winter.

During winter dormancy, potting soil gets compacted as it settles, and it is also depleted of nutrients. At the same time, the increasing sunlight nudges the plants to start spring growth. The roots have a hard time growing in packed soil.

Telltale Signs

Thirsty plants ask for a drink of water in many easily recognizable ways. The leaves droop and may hang down. They may also develop brown tips, wrinkle, or even drop leaves or flowers. Another “thirst test” is to pick up the pot. Is it extremely light for its size? That’s a sign that the soil is very dry and probably compacted. Poke a finger in. If it’s dry, you’ll know it.

A friend ghosts you when they just stop communicating – failing to answer your calls or texts. A plant is said to be ghosting you if they seem to ignore you. If the houseplant doesn't show the classic signs of being thirsty, it probably isn’t. Just because the foliage looks a bit faded or the growth seems slow doesn't mean it's a cry for water.

Hydrophobia Prevention Shopping List

Is It Hydrophobia or Something Else?

We're all plant detectives at heart. Something is wrong with our favorite houseplant – it's drooping or has browning leaves – what can it be? Does the plant have hydrophobia, or is it ill with another health issue?

1. You have hydrophobic plants when your potting soil becomes so dry that it becomes waxy and repels water. If you water the plant well but the center of the soil remains bone dry, hydrophobia is the likely diagnosis. You can also check the soil – does it feel dry and dusty?’ Does the pot feel inappropriately light?
2. You may be looking at root rot if your plant has wilting, limp, brown or yellow leaves. Think of root rot as the opposite of hydrophobia. Although the plants may look hydrophobic from the soil up, the soil is not dry but heavy and damp. Pop the rootball out of the container and look for black, stinky or mushy roots.
3. If your houseplants have leaves that are wilting or curling and crispy, they may be suffering from stress. The most likely cause of environmental stress in houseplants is location. A plant located near an AC unit or a heater will almost certainly be suffering from stress.
4. One more possible cause of brown, crispy leaves: nutrient deficiency or fertilizer burn. If your houseplants have leaves with browning tips, they may need more nutrients – but they also may be suffering from too much fertilizer salt.

How to Bottom Water

Now that we’ve defined hydrophobic houseplants, it’s time for the $1,000 question: how to fix hydrophobic soil? We are here to walk you through it. Think of this as a vital late-winter rescue mission – the ultimate February refresh ahead of spring. The only “equipment” you need for this treatment is a sink, or a bucket of water.

Before you jump in, consider removing an inch of topsoil. This is only necessary if the soil is extremely water repellent, but it can’t hurt with any houseplant.

Now, off to the sink (or bucket). This is far and away the easiest remedy for water repellent soil.

1. Add a few inches of tepid water to the sink (or bucket).
2. Pick up your houseplant and place the bottom of the container in the water. If the container floats up, add small rocks to the pot to weigh it down.
3. Keep the plant pot in the water for two hours. Use a chopstick to poke holes in the soil to help the water penetrate during the soak.
4. Remove the container and let it drain in an empty sink.
5. As an option, you can consider adding a little liquid wetting agent and a little liquid fertilizer to the sink before you give the houseplant a long drink. It’s not necessary, but will support root growth.

Should You Repot?

It’s never a bad idea to repot hydrophobic indoor plants, and it may be essential if they're severely root-bound. If your plant has roots emerging from drainage holes or soil that has completely broken down, it's time to repot.

How to Prevent Hydrophobia

Keep your soil from becoming hydrophobic by establishing a consistent watering routine. Use a bottom watering system at least once a month. It’s also a good idea to repot each houseplant every year. Be sure that your potting soil incorporates components that retain water, like coco coir. This coco coir from Amazon is super cheap and expands to 15 quarts when wet.