Which houseplants can't tolerate waterlogging? These five hate being overwatered the most

You water them every day and fuss over them, yet the plant wilts instead. You dig into the soil and find the roots have rotted to mush. The truth is, not all plants love to drink. Some are naturally afraid of waterlogging, and the more diligently you water them, the faster they die. Today let's talk about five houseplants that fear water the most. Beginners, take note.

Snake Plant: The snake plant (Sansevieria) looks tough, with leaves standing straight up like swords, but it is actually very afraid of water. Its roots are fleshy and can store some water on their own. If you water it every day and the potting soil stays soggy, the roots will quickly suffocate and rot.

Remember one rule for snake plants: water only after the potting soil has dried out completely, about once every two to three weeks. In winter, water even less. Once a month is already too much.

Aloe: The plump leaves of aloe (Aloe vera) are full of water, and the plant itself is very drought-tolerant. Many people think that because it looks juicy, they should water it more, but the result is often that the leaves start turning yellow from the bottom and feel sticky to the touch. That is a sign of root rot.

There is a little trick to growing aloe: watch the leaves. If the leaves look a bit wrinkled and soft, it is thirsty, and that is the time to water. If the leaves stay plump, do not water, no matter what. Also, when watering, do not pour water into the center of the leaf rosette, or the core will rot. Just water along the edge of the pot.

Money Tree: The money tree (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) has leaves in clusters and an auspicious meaning, so many people keep one at home. But its roots are tubers and are especially afraid of waterlogging. Once the potting soil becomes waterlogged, the tubers rot, and the leaves turn yellow and drop as well. That is a big loss.

When growing a money tree, be sure to use soil with good drainage, such as leaf mold mixed with perlite, and it is best to put some ceramic pellets at the bottom of the pot to help water drain away. When watering, lift the pot to judge its weight, and water only when it has clearly become lighter. Normally you can mist the leaves to raise humidity, but never pour water directly at the roots.

Succulents: Succulents look round and chubby, as if made of water, but their drought tolerance is beyond imagination. This is especially true of Crassulaceae succulents such as bear's paw (Cotyledon tomentosa) and Haworthia cooperi. Water them too much and they immediately drop leaves and turn to mush. A perfectly good pot can rot away in no time.

The core rule for growing succulents is "better dry than wet." Beginners should use a gritty soil, such as peat moss mixed with half volcanic rock or vermiculite, so that excess water can drain away quickly. In summer and winter, succulents go dormant. At that time they need almost no water; a light misting is enough.

Money Tree: The money tree (Pachira aquatica) grows tall with a thick trunk, and many people assume it needs a lot of water. In fact, its root system is thin and sparse, with very weak water uptake. If the potting soil stays wet for a long time, the roots simply cannot take it. First the leaves turn yellow and drop, and in serious cases the whole tree dies.

When watering a money tree, use only a small amount each time, just enough to moisten the surface of the potting soil, about once every ten days to half a month. Also, do not let water sit in the saucer. Pour out any water in the saucer right after watering.

In fact, the reason these five plants fear water is much the same. Either they have fleshy roots or tubers that can store water, or their leaves themselves contain a lot of water, so they do not need frequent watering. For these waterlogging-fearing plants, being "a bit lazy" actually keeps them looking healthier.