Plant Problem Troubleshooting
There may be a point when you ask yourself, “What’s wrong with my plant?”. Don’t fret! Plant parenting takes practice, and with time you will learn the best way to care for your specific specimens in the conditions they are living in. Plants will give you signs when something is off. These general guidelines can help when learning to spot these signs and then how to correct the issue.
Crispy or Drooping Leaves
Leaves that are drooping, turning brown and crispy along the edges, or in more extreme cases completely wilting and falling off, are often due to not providing enough moisture for the plant. Usually, this problem can be fixed by increasing the watering dose. However, be sure not to go too overboard! Check the soil to ensure that it is not being suddenly too waterlogged.
Depending on the plant type, leaf dehydration may also be caused by too low humidity levels in the surrounding air. Invest in a mister or place a tray with pebbles and water under or near your plant.
Mushing or Yellow Leaves
If the plant’s leaves are yellowing, or mushing and falling over, these are signs of having a bit too much to drink. This can be confirmed by sticking your finger in the plant’s soil. If it feels very wet, give your plant some neglect! Only give the next watering once the soil starts to feel dry.
Overwatering is one of the most common reasons for house plant death. Plants placed in constantly soggy soil will develop root rot, where the roots will start to die because of a lack of oxygen. Root rot may be taking effect if correcting the watering schedule does not seem to improve your plant’s condition. Try to provide fresh soil as soon as possible! Remove your plant from its current home, carefully dust off the wet dirt from the roots, and use a pair of clean, sharp scissors to prune off any very mushy, black roots. Then, repot with organic potting soil suited for the plant type, and give it a light watering.
Irregular Brown Spots on Leaves
Too much sunlight can lead to brown spots and patches developing on the upper sides of the leaves. In general, most plants except cacti and succulents prefer to stay out of full sun. The trick to reducing the amount of light for your plant is to do it gradually! This ensures that the plant is not shocked by a sudden change in conditions. Over a couple of weeks, begin to move it away from the window until it is in a spot with better-suited light for that specific plant.
These irregular brown spots can also occur on plants, such as the Monstera deliciosa, that don’t appreciate their leaves getting wet. When watering a Monstera, pour the water directly into the soil and not over its foliage. If any water droplets find themselves on the leaves, use a clean cloth to quickly wipe them off.
Spindly Growing or Leaves Losing Color
An indication that the plant is not receiving enough sunlight is that the leaves are losing their color. Another symptom of this is if your plant seems to be growing very tall with leaves spaced farther apart than normal. Again, gradual change is key! Slowly move your plant closer to the window over a couple of weeks. It can often help to do some research about your plant to find the optimum lighting conditions.
Rapid Leaf Damage or Dropping
If suddenly your plant’s leaves fall off or look damaged, it could be due to improper temperatures. Most houseplants can live in temperatures from 55 °F to 80 °F. Plants on windowsills are especially susceptible to temperature damage! Make sure to close these windows at night. If your window seems particularly drafty, the chilly evening temperatures might be stressing your plant, and finding another location may be best.
One Last Note
For any of these physiological disorders, pruning is another helpful step. Any leaves that are not looking healthy – browning, yellowing, mushing, or anything else – should be removed using clean, sharp scissors. This will not only keep your plant looking more aesthetically pleasing, but it will also promote new healthier growth!
Overall, it is always beneficial to listen to what your plants are trying to tell you. Check-in with your plants daily! The sooner an issue is spotted and taken care of, the sooner your plant will be happy and healthy once more!