If you're wondering, “What happened to my plants?” when it comes to indoor greenery. Help is available. If your normally healthy plant starts to look sick (perhaps withering, leaf loss, yellowing, or worse) and you don't know why, you can usually manage to fix it with a few simple care changes. . By knowing whether your plants are under-watered, over-watered, or not getting enough light, you can restore your houseplants to health after slow growth, brown leaf tips, or fertilizer burn.
Here's how to deal with 10 common houseplant problems so you can enjoy a thriving indoor jungle again.
What's wrong with my plants? Questions and Answers
1. Why do houseplants stretch?
jason donnelly
Answer: We need light.
If your houseplant's problem is that it's getting leggy and growing unnaturally tall, or that its thin, weak stems are starting to grow toward the light source, you're trying to tell it that it needs more light. There is. Move it closer to a window or switch to another window that gets more light. South-facing windows have the most light, north-facing windows have the least, and east and west windows are somewhere in between. Rotate the plant so that all sides of the plant receive even sunlight and prevent the houseplant problem of lopsided growth.
If you still can't find the perfect spot for your plants, invest in a grow light to ensure your plants get what they need.
2. Why are the leaves of my houseplants curled?
Answer: It's an insect or a disease.
Abnormal growth patterns are a common sign of disease or the presence of insects. You may see curled or distorted leaves and wonder, “What's wrong with my plant?” If you look closely, you may find other signs of insects or the insect itself. If you notice black spots or fuzzy white spots, it's probably diseased. Use your fingers to crush pests or treat plants with neem oil. If your plants are diseased, remove the affected areas to prevent further spread.
3. Why are the tips of my houseplants' leaves brown?
Answer: Water, salt, or moisture.
If your houseplant's leaf tips are turning brown, it could indicate one of the following problems:
Inconsistent watering: This doesn't mean you have to water your houseplants at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Instead, water your plants only when they need to. However, even if your plants are fine with less frequent watering, avoid going weeks without watering or surprising them with a well-intentioned deluge. When watering, make sure that the water flows through the drainage holes so that it does not reach only the top of the plant.
Too much salt: This can be caused by excess fertilizer or salt from treated tap water. Rinse the soil with water until it runs clear, or repot the plant in new potting mix. Next, try using less fertilizer and watering with distilled water.
Low Humidity: Many houseplants are native to the tropics. If the air in your house or apartment is dry, keep a humidifier nearby.
4. Why are the leaves of houseplants yellow?
Answer: You may be overwatering.
If your plant only has one or two yellow leaves, it's probably not serious. If you pick off the leaves, the plant should be fine. However, too many yellow leaves can be a sign of a more serious problem. Overwatering can kill houseplants just as much (if not more) than underwatering. The exact amount needed will vary from plant to plant, but a good rule of thumb is to water when the soil feels dry to the bottom about 1/2 to 1 inch. Also, most houseplants should not be left in water, as constantly moist soil will cause root rot. To avoid this problem, use only containers with drainage holes and empty the water from the saucer underneath.
Yellowish leaves throughout the plant may also indicate too little light. Try moving the plant to a brighter area.
5. Why do houseplants drop their leaves?
Answer: Poor light or low location.
Do you always have to pick up fallen leaves on the floor as you pass by plants? Some plants, such as ficus, are sensitive to changes in location and show this change by shedding their leaves. Masu. As long as growing conditions in the new location are still ideal, fresh foliage should emerge after settling. If you haven't moved your plant recently, leaf drop can also indicate low light levels.
6. Why are the leaves of my houseplants turning blue or looking burnt?
Dean Schepner
Answer: Too much sunlight and fertilizer.
Just like humans, plants can also get sunburn. Pale or white leaves are usually caused by too much light. Fortunately, this problem can be easily solved by moving the plant out of direct sunlight or by a window with less light. Leaf scorch can also be caused by fertilizer scorch. Salts from softened tap water can build up in the soil, so use less fertilizer or switch to distilled water.
7. Why do the leaves of my houseplants wilt?
Answer: It's hard to say.
It can be difficult to understand when your plants start to wilt and you wonder, “What happened to my plants?” Diagnosing wilting can be difficult. In some cases, it may be too late to save the plant. Possible causes include lack of water, too much water, poorly drained soil, heat stress, disease, and lack of humidity. A plant moisture meter can help pinpoint some of these problems. Bring your plants back from the brink by checking soil moisture or dryness and adjusting your watering habits accordingly, lowering the temperature, replanting in better soil, or increasing humidity with misting. can do.
8. Why do my houseplants have spots on their leaves?
Denny Schrock
Answer: illness
Leaf spots are often caused by plant diseases. Improving air circulation to allow faster drying between watering and removing diseased leaves may help the plant recover. Discard diseased plants to prevent spread to other plants. To prevent disease, give the plant enough space to grow, remove dead leaves immediately, and always water the base of the plant.
9. How can I get rid of powdery mildew on houseplants?
Solution: Increase airflow.
Powdery mildew is a fungal infection that affects many plants. Mold is most likely to grow in still, humid conditions, so increasing airflow around affected plants can also be helpful. To control the problem, remove heavily infected leaves.
10. Why aren't my plants absorbing water?
Answer: Bad soil.
If you're confident that you're giving your plants plenty of water and that their roots aren't tangled (two common reasons why plants dry out), your houseplant's problems may be due to a problem with the soil. Many potting soils use peat. Peat has a higher water-holding capacity when moistened, but it is difficult to moisten completely at first. Even if you've kept it well-moistened before, if you go on a trip and leave your plants unwatered or forget to water them regularly, the soil will dry out to the point where it's difficult to rehydrate. You may end up doing this.
You can re-moisten the peat in the soil by soaking a small pot in warm water. This is even more difficult to do with large pots. Many nurseries sell surfactants (wetting agents) that are safe for plants. Amend the soil according to the instructions on the bottle.