Don’t give up on your favorite houseplant just yet. Bring it back to life by learning how to fix these common houseplant problems.
One of the challenging parts of being a #CrazyPlantLady is when your normally healthy houseplant starts dropping leaves or turning yellow, and you have no idea why. Trust us, it will literally drive you crazy. However, before you totally give up your green thumb, it’s best to try getting to the bottom of your houseplant problems because it can all be easily resolved with some small care changes.
To make your life a little easier, we’ve rounded up the most common houseplant problems and their solutions.
The Problem: Dry Air
Most houseplants don’t really thrive in dry air, especially tropical indoor plants. They prefer moist, slightly humid environments, which isn’t usually the condition of your home. One of the signs that your houseplant is suffering from dry air is when the leaves are browning and slightly drying out.
Solution: Increase the Humidity
If your houseplant is craving a little bit more moisture, increase the humidity with an occasional misting. You can also group several plants together to create a pocket of humidity, locate your houseplants in more humid rooms, such as the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, or use pebble trays. However, the best solution to increase the humidity for houseplants is to get a humidifier. It could be a bit pricey for some, but it’s definitely worth it, especially if you have a lot of houseplants.
The Problem: Not Enough Sunlight
While it’s true that some houseplants can thrive in low light conditions, there’s no denying that sunlight is essential to keep your houseplants happy and healthy. When it comes to identifying how much sunlight your houseplant actually needs, the answer depends on a case-by-case basis.
Solution: Check the Leaves
One of the common houseplant problems is sunlight, especially during the fall and winter seasons. Signs that your houseplant needs more direct light is when the leaves are turning to yellow and newer leaves are failing to grow to their full size. It’s best to move your houseplant closer to a window for increased exposure to the sun.
The Problem: Nutrient Deficiency
Figuring out how, what, and when to feed your plants can get overwhelming, especially if you’re a beginner. It’s best to feed your houseplants in the growing season, which is spring and summer, to give your plant a little boost and to promote growth. Feed your houseplant when leaves start to look slightly discolored.
Solution: Fertilize It
It’s easy to fix this problem. Simply feed your houseplant with nutrient-rich fertilizer or organic solutions, like adding coffee grounds to increase nitrogen content. Always take a soil test to truly determine the level of nutrients in your plant’s soil and to avoid fertilizer burn or shock. Plus, follow the instructions on fertilizer labels since too much can kill your plant. We know that you mean well, but too much fertilizer is unhealthy for your plant.
The Problem: Overwatering
One of the most common houseplant problems, especially for beginners or new plant parents. We know that it’s important to water your houseplants to keep them in good shape, but overwatering your plants is the most common way to kill them because it’s the main cause of root rot. Common signs of overwatering your plants are brown and yellow leaves or fungus and mold on top of the soil.
Solution: Know Your Plant
The quick fix to get your watering routine right is identifying the type of plant you have and its water requirements. Some plants need to be watered only when the soil is dry, some plants need moist soil to thrive, and some plants are drought-tolerant, like succulents. Familiarize yourself with the general water requirements of your plant to avoid overwatering problems.
The Problem: Root Rot
Root rot is the result when you overwater your houseplants. Improper drainage can also be a culprit. Signs that your houseplant is suffering from root rot is when it’s starting to look wilted and worn. You will also notice that the leaves are discolored. To check if your houseplant is experiencing root rot, gently take your plant out of the soil and check its roots if they are fragile and mushy.
Solution: Rinse, Trim, and Repot
If you notice that your houseplant is experiencing root rot, we recommend immediately rinse off roots and trim away those that are affected. Then repot the plant in fresh soil. If you’re going to use its old planter, make sure to wash it properly and check if there’s proper drainage. In the case that there’s no drainage, gently drill a hole on the bottom of the planter. The more the drainage holes, the better. It’s best to avoid overwatering your plants or letting it sit on the water.
The Problem: Temperature
Lastly on our common houseplant problems is the temperature in your home. Too many different temperature ranges are not good for your houseplants.
Solution: Place Your Plants in One Room
Avoid moving your houseplant between different rooms to avoid causing too much temperature fluctuation. Remember that each room in your home has its own different environment. The slightest shift in temperature can be bad for your houseplants.
Learning these common houseplant problems is the first step to saving them from the brink of death. You’ll be back to happy and thriving houseplants in no time! Check out our Plant Care blog to learn more about different houseplants and tips on how to keep your plants alive and healthy.
Whatever houseplant you choose to transform your home into a lively oasis, you’ll definitely need a stylish planter to display your plant baby in. No matter what your style, there’s an Omysa planter that will be perfect with your garden and home’s décor. From ceramics to fiberstone, check out Omysa’s Shop and add it to your cart!
