Check drainage before adding another plant
A short maintenance inspection for containers that stay wet.
If a container remains wet, pause before adding more water or fertiliser. RHS container-maintenance guidance highlights overwatering as a common cause of plant loss and recommends checking drainage when water is not escaping freely. A wet pot is a condition to investigate, not a reason to buy a stronger plant feed.
Inspect the arrangement from the outside first. Is the nursery pot sitting inside a decorative outer pot that collects water? Can you reach the drainage opening? Has a tray filled after rain? Emptying accumulated water may be straightforward, but do not tip a heavy container over a balcony edge or attempt to lift more than you can handle safely.
Our suggested inspection card has four questions: Where does water enter? Where should it leave? Where could it collect? Can I access those points without moving other plants? Draw a small diagram if the arrangement contains nested pots. This helps distinguish a container problem from a watering-frequency problem.
If drainage remains poor, consult guidance for the particular plant and potting medium before repotting. Photograph the arrangement and record recent watering so you can describe the issue accurately at a nursery. When planning the next container, favour an arrangement that is easy to inspect. Hidden drainage can make a beautiful display unnecessarily difficult to maintain.
Sources & further reading
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