7 Signs Your Mediterranean Herbs are getting Too Much Water

Wonder why your herbs are not in their best shape? The answers on this question are many, but one of the most common ones is overwatering. For that reason, I would like to go through the 7 most distinctive signs that show that your Mediterranean herbs are getting too much water.

Don’t Let Your Herbs Look Like They Sleep in a Saloon

1. Herb Leaves Turn Yellow

It is important to know that signs of overwatering usually appear in groups. For instance, your plant may have yellow leaves and leaf fall at the same time, which are both signs of overwatering.

2. Dark or Black Colored Herb Leaves

In case of dark or black colored leaves on your herb, your plant’s diagnosis can either be too little water or too much water. In my opinion it’s always easier to add water than to subtract it. Here’s the difference - leaves of under watered herbs feel like potato chips when you hold them, while overwatered ones feel way too soft and flabby.

3. Traces of Mildew

Signs of mildew are amongst the easiest overwatering signs to identify. Most common types of mildew are downy mildew and powdery mildew. Initial symptoms of downy mildew include yellow colored areas on upper leaf surface. It’s the same with powdery mildew, with the exception of color being bluish. Downy mildew sometimes attacks herbs such as basil and rosemary. On the other hand, powdery mildew is fonder of sage and parsley.   

4. Herb Stopped Growing

Herbs that stop growing clearly say – “Stop watering, we’re drowning here”. Right in the middle of this post I think that it’s about time that you memorize the most important advice regarding overwatering – always test the soil moisture before you water again. Be sure to check out my other posts if you want to learn more about how to avoid overwatering your plants.

5. Herb Looks Sad Despite of Watering

Did you know that overwatering is considered the most common cause of an early herb death? Your herb can’t speak, but if it looks sad despite of watering than simply stop watering and check the soil’s moisture.

6. Rotting Roots

When the soil is soggy and flooded the roots suffer first. This might potentially be the biggest overwatering consequence. Due to a lack of oxygen roots pass away and die. Unless you react quickly the roots start to decay and rot away.

7. Soil Changes Its Color into Green

Green color on the top of your soil means that algae came to visit your garden soil. And they came because of overwatering. Just a small reminder at the end of this post - in order to avoid any possibilities of overwatering, always test the soil moisture before you water again.

What is your watering schedule when it comes to herbs?