Overwatering a Potted Japanese Maple

A 4-foot red-leaf Japanese maple in a large pot with 5 hours of sun shows browning, shriveling leaves after watering every 3 days, then daily when decline started.

Diagnosis: Too Much Water

Potted plants need drainage and drying between waterings. Constant moisture suffocates roots.

Fix

• Stop watering until top 2 inches of soil are dry.
• Then water only when top 2 inches dry.
• Ensure pot has drainage holes.

Overwatering kills as fast as drought. The tree may recover if roots aren't rotted.