Indoor Plants: 7 Most Common Symptoms of Poor Plant Health
Why are your indoor plants always dying? Take a closer look at their leaves & soil for clues, say our experts
Georgia Madden
7 December 2018
Plants might not be the chattiest of housemates, but make no mistake – they’re constantly communicating with you and telling you exactly what they need, say these three experts. Here are seven of the most common symptoms of poor plant health to look out for and how you can rectify them. Why
“Taking care of plants is a lot like looking after kids or pets; they seldom tell you when something is really wrong – you need to be observant and give them a close look regularly,” says Jimmy Turner, director of horticultural management for Royal Botanic Garden Trust and Centennial Parklands Trust.
“Do they look slightly off colour? A little yellow? Do they seem to be stretching or leaning towards the light?” These are tell-tale signs that your plant isn’t getting what it needs to flourish, says Turner.
Here are seven of the most common signs of trouble to look for in plants and what to do about them.
“Do they look slightly off colour? A little yellow? Do they seem to be stretching or leaning towards the light?” These are tell-tale signs that your plant isn’t getting what it needs to flourish, says Turner.
Here are seven of the most common signs of trouble to look for in plants and what to do about them.
Image courtesy of Jason Chongue for Hardie Grant
Photography by Armelle Habib
1. Drooping leaves
“This can indicate that the plant either needs to be watered or has had too much water,” says Angie Thomas, horticultural consultant to Yates.
“Some plants can tolerate short periods of wilted foliage, however plants such as ferns can be very unforgiving about becoming dry and can quickly drop dead,” says Thomas.
“Too much water can also cause the rapid death of roots in plants that prefer to be kept on the drier side. Never leave water in pot saucers as this results in the bottom layer of the potting mix being constantly wet.”
What to do
“Check the moisture levels in the potting mix by gently digging around in the top few centimetres with your finger,” says Thomas. “It’s important to become familiar with the amount of water your plants require and adjust to their needs.”
Here’s how to live with plants
Photography by Armelle Habib
1. Drooping leaves
“This can indicate that the plant either needs to be watered or has had too much water,” says Angie Thomas, horticultural consultant to Yates.
“Some plants can tolerate short periods of wilted foliage, however plants such as ferns can be very unforgiving about becoming dry and can quickly drop dead,” says Thomas.
“Too much water can also cause the rapid death of roots in plants that prefer to be kept on the drier side. Never leave water in pot saucers as this results in the bottom layer of the potting mix being constantly wet.”
What to do
“Check the moisture levels in the potting mix by gently digging around in the top few centimetres with your finger,” says Thomas. “It’s important to become familiar with the amount of water your plants require and adjust to their needs.”
Here’s how to live with plants
2. Potting mix that’s difficult to wet
“If this happens, your soil might have become water-repellent,” says Thomas. “You’ll know for sure if water runs down the inside wall of the pot or pools on the potting mix surface.”
What to do
“It’s important to fix water-repellency problems as soon as you detect them so that the plant roots can access water,” says Thomas. “Try the soak method or apply a wetting agent. For small pots, soak them in a bucket of water for 15 minutes to thoroughly saturate the potting mix and roots. You can also use a soil wetter, which breaks down the waxy, water-repellent layer that can develop on potting mix,” she says.
“If this happens, your soil might have become water-repellent,” says Thomas. “You’ll know for sure if water runs down the inside wall of the pot or pools on the potting mix surface.”
What to do
“It’s important to fix water-repellency problems as soon as you detect them so that the plant roots can access water,” says Thomas. “Try the soak method or apply a wetting agent. For small pots, soak them in a bucket of water for 15 minutes to thoroughly saturate the potting mix and roots. You can also use a soil wetter, which breaks down the waxy, water-repellent layer that can develop on potting mix,” she says.
Image courtesy of Jason Chongue for Hardie Grant
Photography by Armelle Habib
3. Brown leaf edges or tips
Browning edges can indicate a number of things, according to the experts. “It can indicate that the plant is being overwatered, over-exposed to direct sunlight or has been overfed,” says Thomas.
“It can also indicate that you’re not watering enough or that the air in your home is too dry,” says Jason Chongue, creative director at The Plant Society.
What to do
“Check the moisture level of the potting mix with your finger, move the plant away from direct sunlight, and temporarily reduce or stop feeding to turn the plants’ fortunes around,” says Thomas.
“If the air in your home is dry or you’re under-watering, mist the foliage and make sure the soil is kept moist,” says Chongue.
Photography by Armelle Habib
3. Brown leaf edges or tips
Browning edges can indicate a number of things, according to the experts. “It can indicate that the plant is being overwatered, over-exposed to direct sunlight or has been overfed,” says Thomas.
“It can also indicate that you’re not watering enough or that the air in your home is too dry,” says Jason Chongue, creative director at The Plant Society.
What to do
“Check the moisture level of the potting mix with your finger, move the plant away from direct sunlight, and temporarily reduce or stop feeding to turn the plants’ fortunes around,” says Thomas.
“If the air in your home is dry or you’re under-watering, mist the foliage and make sure the soil is kept moist,” says Chongue.
4. Yellow leaves
“This can be a natural part of a plant’s ageing process, however premature yellowing can also indicate overwatering, being exposed to too much sunlight or that the plant needs to be fed,” says Thomas.
What to do
“If over-watering is the cause of yellowing, it’s important to fix this quickly as some plants are very sensitive to wet feet,” says Thomas. “Check moisture levels in the potting mix, move the plant out of direct sunlight and, if the plant hasn’t been recently fed, apply a liquid fertiliser,” she advises.
“This can be a natural part of a plant’s ageing process, however premature yellowing can also indicate overwatering, being exposed to too much sunlight or that the plant needs to be fed,” says Thomas.
What to do
“If over-watering is the cause of yellowing, it’s important to fix this quickly as some plants are very sensitive to wet feet,” says Thomas. “Check moisture levels in the potting mix, move the plant out of direct sunlight and, if the plant hasn’t been recently fed, apply a liquid fertiliser,” she advises.
5. Long, leggy growth
A lack of sunlight can cause leggy or thin growth as the plant tries to reach up to find more UV rays, says Chongue.
What do to
“Move the plant to a location with more intense natural light or longer light exposure,” says Chongue.
“You can also find out what light levels your plant prefers by checking the plant tag, chatting to a horticulturist or researching online,” says Thomas.
Check out these plants suited for Indian homes
A lack of sunlight can cause leggy or thin growth as the plant tries to reach up to find more UV rays, says Chongue.
What do to
“Move the plant to a location with more intense natural light or longer light exposure,” says Chongue.
“You can also find out what light levels your plant prefers by checking the plant tag, chatting to a horticulturist or researching online,” says Thomas.
Check out these plants suited for Indian homes
6. Curled or deformed leaves
“This is caused by sap-sucking pests such as aphids,” says Thomas. “You’ll often find aphids hiding underneath leaves and between stems.”
What to do
If you spot aphids, spray your plant with an insecticidal soap straight away, says Thomas.
“This is caused by sap-sucking pests such as aphids,” says Thomas. “You’ll often find aphids hiding underneath leaves and between stems.”
What to do
If you spot aphids, spray your plant with an insecticidal soap straight away, says Thomas.
7. Mottled or discoloured leaves or foliage
“Spot this and your plant might have mites,” says Thomas. “Large infestations of mites can also start to form spidery-like webs on plants.”
What to do
“Misting the plant foliage can help as can regular spraying with an insecticidal soap,” says Thomas.
“Spot this and your plant might have mites,” says Thomas. “Large infestations of mites can also start to form spidery-like webs on plants.”
What to do
“Misting the plant foliage can help as can regular spraying with an insecticidal soap,” says Thomas.
What are the most common ways people kill indoor plants?
So how often should you water? There are no fixed rules, says Turner. The best thing to do is examine it closely.
“Does the plant look thirsty, wilted or droopy? Then give it a good soak,” says Turner. “If you’re still not sure, stick your finger into the soil down to your second knuckle. If it feels dry, give it a water.
“Another trick is to pick up the pot and feel how heavy it is. Soil holds a lot of water and water is heavy. Next time you give your plant a good drink, pick up the pot afterwards and get a feel for how heavy it is when fully watered, and then compare it when it is dry. Over time you’ll learn when it’s time to water using this simple trick,” says Turner.
- Too much water
So how often should you water? There are no fixed rules, says Turner. The best thing to do is examine it closely.
“Does the plant look thirsty, wilted or droopy? Then give it a good soak,” says Turner. “If you’re still not sure, stick your finger into the soil down to your second knuckle. If it feels dry, give it a water.
“Another trick is to pick up the pot and feel how heavy it is. Soil holds a lot of water and water is heavy. Next time you give your plant a good drink, pick up the pot afterwards and get a feel for how heavy it is when fully watered, and then compare it when it is dry. Over time you’ll learn when it’s time to water using this simple trick,” says Turner.
- Too little light
- Moving your plant temporarily into the light
Take a look at these sun-loving plants
What are your top tips for keeping indoor plants healthy?
- Nurture your plants regularly
- Regularly check your plants for signs of insect pests
- Check moisture levels in potting mix
- Choose premium potting mix
- Feed regularly
- Monitor air-moisture levels
… And don’t be afraid to kill a few
“Houseplants don’t last forever and most will end up on the compost heap eventually,” says Turner. “If you manage to keep them alive for a few years then you are a master plantsperson. A few months? You’ve done pretty well. A few days? Hire help!”
Want to make compost at home?
“Houseplants don’t last forever and most will end up on the compost heap eventually,” says Turner. “If you manage to keep them alive for a few years then you are a master plantsperson. A few months? You’ve done pretty well. A few days? Hire help!”
Want to make compost at home?
Read more:
Indoor Plants You Just Can’t Kill
Tell us:
Do you have any tips for keeping indoor plants alive? Share them with us in the Comments below.
Indoor Plants You Just Can’t Kill
Tell us:
Do you have any tips for keeping indoor plants alive? Share them with us in the Comments below.
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Do you recommend a specific brand of insecticidal soap for aphids etc?