News » 05.09.2025 - Overwatering and incorrect placement are doing plants more damage than drought
A new analysis of Reddit discussions by indoor plant experts Patch Plants reveals a twist: the houseplants celebrated as (almost) unkillable are still ending up on the casualty list, not because they're inherently fragile, but often because they're being over-cared for, or mis-prepped, before holiday departures.
Succulents, spider plants and snake plants, all famed for being easy to care for, are among the top casualties but not due to neglect; overwatering, excessive fussing and incorrect placement are doing more damage than drought.
Ferns, by contrast, do have quite high maintenance care needs, demanding consistent moisture and humidity which could be why they are in the top five most killed houseplants.
According to Reddit, the top 15 "most-killed" houseplants are ranked as follows based on the number of mentions they received. Succulents top the list with 217 mentions, followed by spider plants with 79 mentions, and snake plants with 61 mentions. Ferns come next with 48 mentions, and aloe plants are mentioned 45 times. Cacti have 35 mentions, and calatheas have 32 mentions. Pothos plants are mentioned 31 times, while string of pearls plants have 24 mentions. ZZ plants are mentioned 23 times, and orchids have 22 mentions. Both begonias and philodendrons receive 20 and 19 mentions, respectively, sharing the number 12 spot. Ivy is mentioned 19 times, and monstera plants round out the list with 18 mentions.
Houseplants fall into two distinct categories when it comes to being looked after when their owners go away on holiday, and getting this wrong is why so many 'easy' plants end up dying.
Plants that die from too much love
Succulents, snake plants, spider plants, cacti, ZZ plants: these are the plants where 'less is more' when it comes to caring for them, and they can often die from overwatering and over-fussing.
Succulents rank first as the most-killed houseplant according to Reddit, with users stating that root rot, rather than drought, is the main culprit.
"Most succulents should hold their own for a long period of time," explains Kelly Dyer, Plant Doctor at Patch Plants. "Over summer they only need a light water (and a little plant food) every 2–3 weeks. Water them before you go away and they should be fine until you come back." Kelly warns against over-enthusiasm: "Be careful not to leave them sitting in a pool of water. Leave them in a bright spot that gets plenty of sunlight, but ideally not right up against the glass of a window where they might get scorched."
Next on the most-killed houseplants ranking are spider plants and they follow the same principle: they actually thrive on being left 'home alone'. As Kelly explains: "They can afford to dry out almost completely between waterings, and will then appreciate a good drink and drain, so that they're not left sitting in any excess water for too long."
Wrapping up the top three most-killed plants are snake plants, despite coming with care tips that essentially encourage owners to 'leave-it-alone' in order for it to thrive. The telltale sign snake plants are in trouble? Soft, mushy leaves from overwatering. Kelly's advice is refreshingly simple: "There's no pre-holiday plan necessary for snake plants, best to simply leave them be. Position your snake plant in a spot with low-medium light and give it a light water before you leave. They can tolerate drying out completely between waterings."
Plants that die from neglect
Out of all the most-killed plants, ferns present the biggest challenge when you're away since they need consistently lightly moist soil and high humidity, tricky requirements when you're away on holiday. Kelly offers two essential tips for ferns. First: "Pop a water dispenser in your plant pot, which will slowly release water as the soil starts to dry out." This keeps your plants hydrated while preventing overwatering. Second: "Leave your bathroom or kitchen sink half-full with water. Place your ferns nearby." The water slowly evaporates over time, which helps increase that all-important humidity ferns love. This gives your plant the highest chance of survival while home alone.
Begonias, orchids, calatheas and other prayer plants also fall into this category, requiring consistent moisture and hating to dry out completely. They will suffer if left to their own devices, so the key with these plants is setting up systems to maintain their preferred conditions while you're away, rather than hoping they'll tough it out.
How to keep houseplants alive when you're away from home
Kelly Dyer provides advice on keeping your houseplants thriving while you're away on vacation. For "leave-me-alone" plants such as spider plants, snake plants, and succulents, the key principle is that less is more. Before you leave, give them a light watering, ensuring that any excess water drains away completely. It's best to position these plants away from scorching direct sunlight, but still in bright light. Grouping spider plants with other plants can create a beneficial microclimate. It's important to avoid the temptation to over-prepare these plants.
For "high-maintenance" plants like ferns, orchids, and begonias, setting up support systems can be helpful. Investing in water dispensers and capillary mats can automate slow water release. To create humidity, you can leave the bathroom or kitchen sink half-full with water and place plants nearby. Grouping humidity-loving plant varieties together can create a humid microclimate, with the bathtub being an ideal location for fostering the environment these plants crave. Ensure these plants receive a thorough watering before departure, making sure their soil is evenly moist.
Regardless of the type of houseplant you have, two universal plant care rules apply. First, regulate your indoor climate before leaving for your holiday. Try to reduce the use of heating and air conditioning, or leave windows slightly ajar to help balance humidity and regulate temperatures. Second, ensure you relocate your plants away from harsh conditions, particularly hot south-facing windows where temperatures can rise significantly without proper ventilation.
The one thing Kelly doesn't recommend
Moving your plants to a friend's house whilst you're on holiday is a major no-no. "Most plants won't enjoy suddenly being relocated," Kelly warns. "The change in light levels, temperature and humidity might cause shock and do them more harm than good." Instead, ask a friend to pop in once a week to check how they're doing, but make sure they know which category your plants fall into!
Plant rescue: What to do if you return to wilted plants
Don't panic if you come back to droopy, wilted plants. According to Kelly, there's a simple rescue approach: "Dunk the whole root ball (in the nursery pot) in a sink of room temperature water until you see bubbles escaping. Let it drain and pop it back in its nursery pot." Your plant should perk up within a few hours or a day.
Source: www.floradlaily.com
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