Rescue your struggling indoor plants with our pro tips on how to save your indoor plant. In this post, we provide expert guidance on identifying and addressing common issues that can affect the health of your houseplants.
If you’re considering repotting your plants, our guide on how often should I repot house plants will help you make informed decisions.
For those needing advice on safely moving houseplants, don’t miss our expert tips on how to safely move house plants. Dive in and learn how to restore the vitality and health of your indoor garden.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Indoor plants require proper care and maintenance to thrive |
| Light, water, and soil are important factors in keeping indoor plants healthy |
| Different plants have different needs when it comes to light and water |
| Overwatering and underwatering can both harm indoor plants |
| Regular fertilization and pest control are necessary for healthy indoor plants |
| Repotting may be necessary when indoor plants outgrow their pots |
| With proper care, indoor plants can provide a variety of benefits, including air purification and aesthetic value |
Know your plant’s light needs
The first step to saving your indoor plant is to know its light needs. Plants need light to grow, but plants are not all created equal. Some need lots of light, while others can thrive with less.
Knowing whether you have a high-light or low-light plant is important because if you don’t provide it with the right amount of sunlight, it will die.
Water, water, water
Watering your indoor plant is the best way to keep it healthy and prevent root rot. Since plants require water in order to grow, it’s extremely important that you keep your plant properly hydrated.
The amount of water a plant needs varies based on the type of plant you have and its size. It’s also important to know how much sunlight they receive each day, since this can affect how much water they need as well.
If your indoor plant is receiving less than eight hours of sunlight per day, then it likely requires more frequent watering than one that receives more sunlight.
If you don’t give your indoor plants enough water, they may begin showing signs of dehydration such as wilting leaves or brown spots on their foliage.
In some cases where overwatering has occurred (which can happen when soils are left saturated for too long), root rot may occur which causes roots to turn black and die off completely.
Give your plant a checkup!
Now that you understand why your plant is dying, it’s time to give it a checkup. If the cause of death was an infestation, look for insects and remove them. Look for any signs of fungus or mold. Also check to see if there are any signs of rot in the soil or roots of your plant!
“Keeping your houseplants alive requires a bit of knowledge and care. Our article on 13 tips to never let your houseplants die provides you with essential tips to maintain healthy plants and prevent them from wilting.”
Check the humidity levels
To increase the humidity level in your home, you can use a humidifier. Humidifiers are small appliances that increase the amount of moisture in the air.
To make sure your plant gets enough water and nutrients, check its soil with your finger every week or so. If it’s dry to touch, add some more water and mix it up before sitting back to admire your green thumb!
If you find that your plant is drooping over time despite watering it regularly because of too much sun exposure or lack of humidity, consider moving it closer to an open window where there is plenty more light but less heat as well as adding moisture via misting once every few days (two times per week at most).
Be wary of drafts
Drafts can cause leaf damage, as well as other problems.
The leaves will dry out and drop off at the slightest draft. This is a sign that your plant needs more air circulation around it.
Drafts can also make a plant stressed, which in turn can lead to its death by causing brown spots on the leaves (called leaf scorch) or yellowing leaf tips (called tip burn).
If this happens, your plant may need more water than you thought! It’s important to keep an eye on your indoor plants so that they stay healthy and happy.
“Fertilizing indoor plants is important for their growth and survival, but how often should you do it? Our article on how often do you need to fertilize potted plants explains when and how often to fertilize indoor plants for optimal growth.”
Don’t move plants around too much
You’ve probably heard that you should move your plants around from place to place, but this isn’t always true. Many people are under the impression that moving a plant from one room to another will help it grow better, but actually, it can be detrimental to its health.
Plants need time to adjust to new conditions, so don’t move them around erratically. In most cases, if you take a plant out of its current spot and put it somewhere else—for example, from a sunny window with lots of light into a dark corner where there’s no light at all—the plant won’t thrive as well as if you had left it alone!
The same is true when moving plants between different rooms: Don’t just plop them down anywhere and hope they’ll be happy with the new arrangements; give the plants some time (at least several days) before switching their environments drastically.
Fertilize at the right time
It’s a good idea to fertilize your indoor plants at the right time. Fertilizer should only be applied in the spring and summer months, when plants are actively growing.
During this period, you’ll want to use a balanced fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). This is especially important if you’re using organic fertilizers because they will not contain these three nutrients in equal amounts.
In addition to NPK content, consider choosing slow-release fertilizers as well so that less product is needed over time.
With this type of fertilizer, nutrients are released slowly over several months rather than all at once like regular liquid or granular formulas do—which means it lasts longer too!
“Pests can quickly turn a thriving indoor garden into a nightmare. Learn how to debug your houseplants with our expert tips in how do you debug a houseplant garden advice and protect your plants from harmful insects.”
Grow your plants in the right soil
To grow your indoor plants, you need to know what kind of soil to use. The best type of soil for houseplants is very light and well-draining. It should be kept moist, but not soggy. Fertilize your plants regularly with a high quality liquid fertilizer.
You also want to make sure that the air around your plant is dry and free from drafts so mold doesn’t grow on it and cause it harm.
Keep your plants clean and shiny!
You can keep your plants clean and shiny with a little regular care. The first step is to use water to wipe off any dirt from the leaves of your plant.
I like to do this with a damp cloth, but you can also use a soft brush or even just your fingers! Don’t be afraid of getting too close to the plant; if it’s safe for us, it’s safe for you as well!
If there is mildew on your plant (a yellowish-green substance on leaf surfaces), you may need to use something stronger than water alone.
You can try using a solution of mild soap and water (soak the leaves in this mixture) or even a commercial cleaner designed specifically for indoor plants (follow package directions).
Dusty leaves? Spray them off with water!
- Use a spray bottle with water to clean leaves. You can use plain old tap water or rainwater from your sink’s drain spout if you have one.
- Clean the leaves gently with a soft cloth or brush, but don’t scrub too hard!
- Don’t use soap or chemicals on your plants’ leaves; they are very sensitive and will get irritated by them.
Trim the brown bits off your plants
You know what helps your indoor plants grow? Trimming the brown bits off them.
Not only does trimming the brown bits off help your indoor plant grow, but it can also make them grow more quickly and be healthier in general.
Have you ever noticed that when you trim the brown bits off of your indoor plant, they seem to get bigger? That’s because trimming the brown bits off helps them grow more!
“Repotting is an essential part of caring for indoor plants, but how often should you do it? Our article on how often should I repot house plants provides you with the information you need to keep your plants healthy and thriving.”
Make sure they’re getting enough nutrients!
Fertilize. The best way to ensure healthy growth is to fertilize your plants twice a year with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Fertilizing plants helps promote healthy roots, which in turn prevents nutrient deficiencies and encourages moisture retention.
Water plants properly. Make sure you’re watering your potted plants at the right times and in the right ways (more on that below). Proper watering is important for healthy roots, but it’s also crucial that you don’t overwater or underwater them!
Over-watered plants will suffer from root rot; under-watered ones will wilt quickly as they lose access to needed nutrients, water reserves, and photosynthetic energy sources like sunlight. Both scenarios can be deadly if left untreated!
“Do you have a low-light indoor space that needs a touch of green? Look no further than our article on 15 indoor plants that grow like crazy even in the dark for inspiration and tips on adding greenery to any dimly lit room.”
Conclusion
I hope this article has answered your question on how to save an indoor plant. If not, then I can only say that there is no definite answer to this question.
It all depends on what kind of a plant you have and the circumstances in which it has been placed.
However, if you follow these guidelines from my experience as an indoor gardener and you keep yourself informed about the needs of different plants, then I am sure that your plants will flourish!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for keeping your indoor plants healthy:
9 Tips to Keep Your Indoor Plants Healthy: This article provides practical tips for maintaining healthy indoor plants, including watering, fertilizing, and pest control.
Tips for Healthy Houseplants: This comprehensive guide offers advice on everything from choosing the right plants for your space to troubleshooting common problems.
Houseplant Care Guide: Better Homes & Gardens provides a detailed guide to caring for indoor plants, covering watering, light, soil, and more.
FAQs
How often should I water my indoor plants?
The frequency of watering indoor plants varies depending on the type of plant and its environmental conditions. As a general rule, it’s best to wait until the soil has dried out before watering again. You can check the moisture level by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
How much light do indoor plants need?
Different plants have different light requirements. Some thrive in bright, direct sunlight, while others prefer lower light conditions. As a general rule, most indoor plants prefer bright, indirect light. Be sure to research the light needs of your specific plants to ensure they receive the proper amount of light.
How do I know if my indoor plant needs to be repotted?
When indoor plants outgrow their pots, their roots can become crowded and may even start to grow out of the drainage holes. Signs that your plant needs to be repotted include wilting leaves, a root ball that takes up most of the pot, or roots growing out of the drainage holes.
How often should I fertilize my indoor plants?
Indoor plants should be fertilized during their active growing season, typically in the spring and summer. How often you fertilize will depend on the type of plant and the specific fertilizer you’re using. Be sure to follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging and avoid over-fertilizing, which can damage the plant.
How do I prevent pests from infesting my indoor plants?
Prevention is key when it comes to indoor plant pests. Be sure to regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests, such as webbing or holes in the leaves. Avoid overwatering, which can create a favorable environment for pests, and keep your plants clean by wiping down the leaves regularly.
If you do notice pests, take action immediately by isolating the affected plant and treating it with an appropriate pesticide.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.