Is all the greenery in your home dying? It may be due to one or more of these houseplant health issues!
Houseplants bring lots of texture and lush color to the interior of your home… unless, of course, they’re wilted, yellowed, or covered with fungus.
Through a recent survey, we found out that 78% of new plant parents regularly find themselves whispering, “Why in the world are my houseplants dying?” The lush, green roommates we bring home with excitement frequently seem to give up too soon.
You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt the heartbreak of seeing your leafy buddy wither away. But fret not! You can turn things around with a sprinkle of care and a dash of knowledge! Here are 6 houseplant health issues, with tips on how to save the foliage from an early grave.
Houseplant health issue: Wrong amount of water
Water is vital to keeping your plants thriving. But, too much or too little can eventually cause your plants to suffer and ultimately perish. You should water your plants regularly based on each one’s needs.
-Are you underwatering? Wilted leaves are a tell-tale sign that your plant needs water. Most of the time, this is simply a case of knowing the correct amount of water or remembering to water on a set schedule.
Taking note of your plant’s watering needs is an excellent first step, and so is setting a schedule to check on them regularly. Luckily, most plants are hardy, and some underwatering won’t generally cause long-term houseplant health issues.
-Are you overwatering? Your watering schedule may vary depending on your plants. For instance, if you give too much water to a succulent, the plant will ultimately die.
For most cases, check the soil and water when the top few inches of the soil are dry before giving them more water. This is a simple tip, but it goes a long way in reducing overwatering.
Watering tips:
-Group plants with the same watering requirements together to make it easier.
-Water the soil, not the plants, because overhead watering can damage leaves or attract diseases.
-Apply mulch to retain more moisture and prevent weeds from popping up.
Houseplant health issue: Poor quality soil
Soil is the primary growing material on which plants rely. Your soil should have enough nutrients, like phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium, for your plants to thrive. Nitrogen, especially, promotes strong leafy growth in plants.
Phosphorus, however, aids in your plant’s ability to transform the sun’s energy into food. This process is called photosynthesis. Potassium encourages plants to produce flowers, grow robust root systems, and develop healthy fruits.
Overall, each nutrient in the soil provides a necessary piece to your plant’s overall health. It’s also essential to have soil that drains adequately. This is especially critical for container-grown and indoor plants because they have less area for the surplus of water to drain.
Too compact soil will choke out a plant’s ability to obtain nutrients and leave it in excessively moist conditions. If you have low-quality soil, it can be improved in different ways.
One of the most simple ways to figure out if your soil has deficient nutrients is to get a soil test. It can help you take the necessary steps to ensure your plants get the proper nutrients they need and you avoid any further houseplant health issues.
Houseplant health issue: Transplant shock
Plants that are transplanted need time to adapt to their new home. When your new plants are immediately transplanted into their new pots, they can experience shock from the stress. This can lead to slow growth and wilted leaves.
This is usually normal, and you don’t have to worry. Keep up with regular care, and your plant should bounce back within a couple of weeks.
While transplant shock is pretty normal, there are a few things to remember that can help minimize or even avoid this houseplant health issue altogether:
-Begin with a healthy plant from your collection or the nursery. Those with existing issues are more likely to experience other problems when transplanted.
-Allow your plants to adjust to their new spots gradually, a.k.a. hardening off.
-Transplant at the proper time, typically on a cloudy day with mild weather conditions. And it would be best to do so in spring/summer when they’re actively growing.
-Be delicate, especially with the leaves and roots, during transplanting.
-Remember to water your plant right after repotting.
Houseplant health issue: Too much fertilizer
When your plants have difficulty growing, it can be from too much fertilizer in your soil. Generally speaking, fertilizers should be applied regularly but sparingly.
This will keep them from suffocating in the pot. Too much chemical-based fertilizer can shock your plants and cause more harm than good.
-How to fertilize correctly: All fertilizers should be used according to the directions on the container. You can use natural fertilizers as regularly as you want, but you should still be conscious of applications to avoid waste.
Compost delivers essential nutrients slowly while enhancing the quality of your soil, avoiding any houseplant health issues, and you can add it every one to three years.
-How to fix over-fertilized soil: If you’ve over-fertilized soil, the solution is straightforward: just flush them out with water. This is easy, particularly if your plants are in containers. Just keep watering the soil until all the water runs out of the drainage holes.
If your soil is well-drained, the fertilizers will easily flush away after a few waterings. If your plants are in the ground, you can still flush them away with water. But take note, you’ll be using up tons of water.
This is why fertilizers should be applied on a regular basis yet sparingly. Also, keep in mind that excess fertilizer can impact the environment by seeping into your local water systems.
Houseplant health issue: Improper planting climate
It happens all too often that people fall in love with certain plants for their beautiful foliage and flowers. But sometimes, they forget to check if the plants are suitable for their local climate. Other times, gardeners plant things outdoors during the wrong season.
This is where houseplant health issues can arise, making your foliage wilt, grow slower, and even die. Unless you live in a subtropical or tropical area, you must ensure you grow your plants during the correct times of the year.
Even when grown indoors, it’s essential to consider the season. Winters are typically darker with less sun. So, preparing for that and adjusting your plant care is essential. Check your plant varieties to ensure they’re appropriately suited for the season.
Houseplant health issue: Diseases and pests
Two of the more severe causes of plant death are diseases and pests. If you’re lucky, it’s just one or the other. But often, both can occur simultaneously in one plant. To cultivate your green thumb, keep your plants safe by constantly observing their growth.
Diseases are skillfully preventable once you learn how. Both pests and diseases are houseplant health issues that, when caught early, are much easier to handle.
The sooner you deal with the issue, the more likely you will succeed. Some strategies that will be helpful for you can include:
-Catch and treat infections ASAP to prevent spread. We recommend this BioAdvanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control, Concentrate.
-Ensure good sunlight and airflow for your plants.
-Keep your plants in a well-balanced, nutrient-rich soil.
-Clean and sterilize after each activity to prevent viral, bacterial, and fungal contamination.
How to prevent pests: As long as you know how, avoiding pests is possible. Here are some tips you’ll need to keep in mind:
-Add rich organic matter like compost to ensure your soil is healthy.
-Thin out leaves, seedlings, and plants to ensure good airflow.
-Grow companion plants to repel pests.
-Cultivate pest-resistant plants.
Now that you’ve learned a bit more about the most common houseplant health issues, what are some things YOU’VE been having trouble with when it comes to your plants? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.
And if you found this post helpful, we highly recommend you also read: 27 Best Air-Purifying Plants, According to NASA
