– Why is it so easy to overwater a plant, but sticking the roots directly underwater is how you propagate it?

Question

Title. It’s just funny to me how cautious I am not to overwater my plants when in soil. But if I cut a piece of a plant and stick it in 100% water it thrives. Wouldn’t the roots being literally underwater be “overwatered” as well?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Overwatering compacts the soil and makes it hard for air to reach the roots, which makes it harder for the plant to take in nutrients. Imagine if you were trying to eat a nice lunch and someone kept trying to shove a pillow in your mouth.