5 common reasons why houseplants die and how to save them
There are people with green fingers, and then there’s the rest of us, the ‘brown fingered’ ones and no matter how hard we try, we manage to kill even the simplest of plants.
Lucky for us, there are symptoms we can look out for to determine what we’re doing wrong.
1. Not enough light
Plants that need, but do not get, sufficient sunlight will start to go pale, shed their leaves, flop over and eventually die.
Pay close attention to your indoor plants. If they’re still growing but the new growth is pale, then they’re not getting enough sunlight.
Move your plants to a windowsill or place a grow light next to them to help them grow.
2. Watch out for pests
Although some plants can be used to deter insects, some attract them. So keep an eye out for aphids.
If you have a minor infestation, you can manually pick off the aphids.
If the plant is still small, you can wash away these pests by using a strong jet of water to flush them off the leaves.
Alternatively, you can use a solution of water and essential oils like rosemary, thyme or peppermint to get rid of these pests.
3. Water the right way
The number one reason why indoor plants die is overwatering. To avoid this, you’ll have to physically check if your plants need watering.
Stick your finger in the soil. If it comes up clean, without bits of dirt stuck to it, then it’s time to water your plants.
A lot of plants could also benefit from the occasional misting, just make sure the water is room temperature. Misting is especially recommended for homeowners who use air-conditioning, which tends to dry out the air.
We’ve been taught to water plants from above, but watering household plants is different. Pouring water over the plant often causes it to pool on the top, and it struggles to reach the roots which is where it is needed the most.
Water from the bottom by standing your pot plants in a dish of water. This will give the roots a chance to absorb what they need.
4. Provide proper drainage
You could have an attractive container or pot for your plants, but it might well be worthless if it doesn’t have holes at the bottom.
Drainage holes prevent overwatering which can lead to root rot. If your pots don’t have holes, take a few minutes to drill them yourself.
5. Feed accurate amounts of fertiliser
Every now and then an indoor plant will shed its leaves. That’s where fertilisers come in, they replace what’s lost.
A plant usually loses a few leaves at a time, so use fertiliser sparingly. What many homeowners do, though, is give way too much, burning the plants’ roots.
Over-fertilising plants will cause them to wilt, the leaves will become soft like cloth and the tips will turn brown.
To avoid this, always follow the instructions on the fertiliser pack, and when in doubt, use less than the recommended dose
Source: property24.com