How My Houseplants Nearly Ruined My Hardwood Floors — What I Learned and How You Can Prevent It

Even beautiful houseplants can cause floor damage if overwatered or placed without protection.

I love having plants in my home. A lot of them. They make the space feel alive, natural, peaceful—especially during Chicago winters when everything outside is frozen over. But a few years ago, I started noticing something troubling: my beautiful hardwood floors were starting to swell.

At first, it was subtle. A little cupping near the baseboards. A raised plank here and there under a big ficus in the living room. I didn’t think much of it. After all, wood floors naturally expand and contract, right?

But then one day, I overwatered a floor plant and walked back into the room an hour later to find a puddle stretching across the planks. That was the wake-up call. I realized I had been unintentionally causing houseplant water damage to hardwood floors, week after week, with water runoff from my plants.

The Unexpected Cost of Overwatering

When you go too long without watering your plants, it’s easy to overcompensate. You dump in extra water thinking you’re doing them a favor, and it drains right through the pot and onto the floor—especially if the saucer’s too small or cracked. And if you don’t catch it fast, that moisture seeps into the boards.

Houseplant water damage to hardwood floors doesn’t look like a flood. It’s quieter and slower. It shows up as:

• Subtle floor cupping or raised edges
• Soft spots that feel spongy when you walk on them
• White or cloudy stains in the wood finish
• Slight discoloration around pots

This kind of overwatered plant hardwood floor damage can take months—or even years—before the full extent becomes visible. And by then, you’re looking at serious repairs. Houseplants can cause water damage to hardwood floors.

How I Tried to Fix It Myself

Once I realized what was happening, I started doing a few things differently:

• I rotated my pots frequently to give the floor time to dry.
• I wiped up any water spills immediately—even drops.
• I placed rubber mats or trays beneath the pots.
• I stopped overwatering altogether and began tracking watering schedules.

This helped. But even with precautions, moisture still found its way under the larger pots or pooled under stands where air circulation was poor.

Eventually, I had to call in our own ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons team to assess some long-term warping in two rooms. It wasn’t a full-blown replacement, but we did have to perform targeted wood floor drying and minor refinishing. If you’re dealing with similar issues, I highly recommend reading our Wood Floor Drying Guide for practical tips and signs to watch for.

What I Recommend to Homeowners Like You

If you’ve got a green thumb and hardwood floors, here’s what I suggest:

1. Use deep trays or waterproof plant stands. Don’t rely on basic saucers.
2. Check beneath and around each plant monthly. Look for cupping, stains, or warping.
3. Don’t guess with watering. Use a moisture meter and follow a schedule.
4. Ventilate the room. Stagnant air makes moisture linger longer.
5. Watch for signs of hidden water damage. Discoloration, odors, or surface buckling aren’t just cosmetic—they mean it’s time to act.

These tips can help protect your flooring from moisture damage under plant pots and reduce your chances of costly repair from potted plant water damage. Houseplants water damage hardwood floors

For more tips and assistance in maintaining your homes’ integrity, check out our Blog Resource Hub.

When to Call the Pros

Wood floor rescue in progress using negative air systems to extract moisture from water-damaged hardwood floors in a Chicago home.

There’s a fine line between a manageable spill and real water damage. If your floor feels uneven, warped, or soft to the touch—or if there’s any sign of mold growth beneath the surface—you need professional help.

If you’re in the Chicago area, my team at ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons can help. We’ve dried and saved countless hardwood floors across the city and the North Shore. Our specialists use state-of-the-art drying equipment to pull moisture from deep within the floorboards, preventing costly replacements down the line.

Call us at 773-376-1110 or visit servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com for fast help.

If you’re outside of our territory, find your nearest certified professional at ServiceMasterRestore.com. The sooner you catch the issue, the better chance you have at saving your floors.

Don’t Let Your Plants Wreck Your Investment

Hardwood floors are one of the most valuable features in a home. They’re beautiful, durable, and increase resale value—but they’re also vulnerable.

If you want a comprehensive, expert-driven guide to protecting your home’s most important surfaces and systems, I encourage you to check out my book: RESTORE: A Complete Guide To Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset. It’s full of practical advice homeowners can use to prevent and recover from water and fire damage—including the kinds caused by seemingly harmless things like indoor plant floor damage.

A little care goes a long way. And if you think water has already made its way into the wood, don’t wait. Whether it’s a living room ficus or a fiddle-leaf fig on a stand, make sure your love for greenery doesn’t turn into regret.

FAQ's

Q: Can houseplants really cause water damage to hardwood floors?
A: Yes. If overwatered, the runoff can seep into the floorboards, causing warping, cupping, or mold. This often goes unnoticed until serious damage appears.

Q: How can I prevent my indoor plants from damaging my floors?
A: Use deep trays or waterproof plant stands, track watering carefully, and check under pots regularly for moisture buildup.

Q: What are the signs of plant-related water damage?
A: Look for cupped or raised planks, spongy soft spots, cloudy discoloration, or subtle warping near potted plants.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a multi-award-winning disaster restoration firm serving Chicago and the North Shore, including Lake, Cook, and DuPage Counties. With over 30 years of experience, we specialize in water damage restoration and fire damage restoration, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction. As an IICRC Certified Firm and member of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), we proudly uphold the highest industry standards. Our team is MBE/WBE certified and recognized by the Chicago Star Award, the SB100 Best of Small Business Award, and the BBB Torch Award for Ethics. Learn more at servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com.