Here’s Why Your Houseplants Are Dying And How You Can Save Them

Lush, green plants bring warmth and energy to a home. But sometimes even under the best conditions — and with regular care — plants get “sick.” If you’ve ever wondered what you can do to keep your plants healthy and happy, we’ve got tips for how to handle the most common plant problems. And if you’re looking for some new foliage to add to your home or office, FTD Flowers is offering Patch readers a discount of 15 percent off its retail price! The discount is automatically applied at checkout.

Whether your plant’s leaves are dropping or you’ve noticed pests around the soil, here’s how to handle the most common indoor plant problems and keep your greenery thriving.

Common Indoor Plant Pests

Before you can treat a houseplant infestation, it’s important to identify the type of insect that may be harming your plant. If detected early, pest removal is a simpler process. Some common pests include:

1. Aphids — These are tiny insects commonly found on the underside of a leaf or at the tip of the plant. If they’ve been on your plant for some time, you will notice stunted growth, smaller leaves and distorted-looking foliage.

Solution: A simple splash of water can remove aphids. But if you want something more immediate, you can purchase an indoor insecticide spray from a local garden center.

2. Fungus gnats — If your plant is having trouble growing and appears to be having root issues, you may have a fungus gnat problem. These pests like to feed on organic matter in the soil and a plant’s roots, which can affect growth and overall well-being.

Solution: One easy fix is to spray the plant with a mixture of dish soap and water. Other options include purchasing yellow sticky traps at a garden store or placing cut-up pieces of potato in the soil, which will attract the gnats.

3. Spider mites — These little guys are actually arachnids — not insects — and they can also be hard to see. To check for spider mites, grab a piece of white paper and shake a leaf over it. If you have spider mites, they will appear as tiny brown and red dots crawling on the paper. These pests like to attach themselves to the underside of leaves, and the webbing they create causes damage to plants.

Solution: To treat a plant with spider mites, coating the plant with dish soap and allowing that to sit for a few hours can help. You can also use a harsher solution, such as rubbing alcohol. Just soak a few cotton balls with rubbing alcohol and wipe the plant. Wait a few hours and rinse with water.

Houseplant Diseases

While it’s not as common for indoor plants living in ideal conditions to get disease, it does happen. Knowing the signs will help you make changes so your plants are thriving again. Common houseplant diseases include:

1. Powdery mildew — If you see white, powdery fungal growth on the plant, it’s a sign of powdery mildew. Though it isn’t usually fatal, it can spread and affect plant growth — and in some cases cause leaf distortion.

Solution: Before treating the plant, you will need to remove any affected foliage. To treat the plant, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with ½ teaspoon of non-detergent soap, which is made with natural oils and fats, such as Castille soap or Fels-Naptha. Use a spray bottle to coat the plant with the solution. While this will treat the plant for the fungus, it can be harmful, so be sure to generously water the plant a few days after the treatment.

2. Root rot — If you’ve noticed soft, black roots, it’s quite likely your plant may be suffering from root rot. It can be a nasty disease when left untreated, ultimately causing plants to wilt and die.

Solution: The No. 1 cause of root rot is overwatering. For most plants, it’s important to only water when the soil feels dry to the touch. If you have a plant with a severe case of root rot, cut off the affected roots and repot the plant with fresh potting mix inside a new pot.

3. Leaf spots — When you notice tiny spots on your plant’s leaves — black, brown, yellow or tan — you have a problem. Leaf spots may seem harmless — but when the spots combine, it can lead to leaf drop and distortion.

Solution: Remove any infected leaves and, if possible, increase air circulation in your home. When watering, try to avoid getting droplets on leaves, and avoid reusing infected potting soil. Also, water in the morning so the plant has time to dry out throughout the day.

Other Common Concerns

Plants can also experience problems unrelated to pests or diseases. These concerns can be the result of environmental, physiological and non-biological issues. Knowing the signs will help you make adjustments to improve your plant’s condition. As a plant owner, you’ll want to keep an eye out for:

1. Sunburned leaves — When leaves or plant tissues turn brown, it’s a sign the plant received too much direct sunlight and burned. This won’t necessarily kill the plant, but it can affect its growth.

Solution: Find a location where the plant will get indirect sunlight so the sun doesn’t directly hit the plant’s foliage. Remove any affected foliage and monitor the plant to ensure it’s not getting heat directly from the sunlight.

2. Overwatering — Water is critical for a plant to grow and thrive, but too much of a good thing can be bad. You want to water in moderation. Signs you’re overwatering include yellowing leaves and root rot (see above).

Solution: Make sure your plant’s pot has drainage holes that let any excess water escape from it. Overwatering can attract pests, including fungus gnats. To avoid these problems, only water when the soil feels dry to the touch.

3. Brown leaves — While overwatering has its own problems, keeping a plant too dry can lead to other issues. If you notice your plant’s leaves wilting, drooping or turning brown, these are all signs that you are not watering enough. This can be a more common problem with large indoor plants, because they require more water than normal. A simple way to know if your plant needs water is to lift it up. If it feels unusually light, it is probably dry and needs water.

Solution: If the soil is bone dry, you will want to soak the plant to ensure its roots get enough moisture. If your plant has been dry for some time, it may not recover.

Tips To Keep Plants Healthy

With a little TLC, your houseplants will be happy and thriving. Follow these tips to keep your greens lush and healthy.

1. Keep plants dust-free — Over time, plants can collect dust, which can affect the amount of sunlight they receive. It’s good to dust their leaves every once in a while, just like you dust your furniture. Pests are also attracted to neglected plants, so take time to care for them regularly.

2. Use neem oil — Neem oil is a natural insecticide for houseplants that is best used as a preventative measure on healthy plants. If plants shows signs of stress, do not treat the plant with neem oil, because it can make the situation worse. Neem oil is effective when treating pests because, though it isn’t poisonous, it is deadly to insects that eat it on a plant. As a treatment, you will want to spray your plant evenly, making sure to coat the undersides of leaves. Neem oil will last a while on a plant without requiring repeated treatments.

3. Water occasionally — To avoid overwatering or underwatering you need to find a balance to ensure your plant is getting the water it needs to survive. Depending on your plant’s needs, you want to make sure you give it the right amount of water at the right time. An easy way to check the moisture level is to touch the soil — if it feels dry, it needs water; if it feels moist, you can wait a few days, then check again.

Taking some time to check on your plants’ health, maintaining a watering schedule and monitoring the amount of sunlight they receive will help keep your plants happy and healthy for years to come.

Now that you have the knowledge to keep your plants healthy and thriving, why not add some more gorgeous greenery to your home? See below for lush plantsfrom FTD that are sure to liven up any space.

Calathea Stromanthe Triostar — This stunning tropical plant is known for its colorful, eye-caching foliage. The Calathea Stromanthe Triostar is easy to care for and a perfect plant for beginners or experienced plant lovers. It’s also pet-friendly. The plant comes in a white ceramic planter. Place it in the sunny spot, and rotate once a week.

Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant — A favorite houseplant, the Fiddle Leaf Fig is known for its distinctive and heavily veined leaves. It adds a natural design element and makes a statement in any home. The Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant requires a consistent watering schedule. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Make sure it receives bright, indirect sunlight, preferably near a west-facing window.

Masterful Watercolor Orchids — This delightful orchid adds a pop of brilliant color to your home. The Masterful Watercolor Orchids have rich, deep purple and blue tones. It’s an easy-to-care for houseplant, requiring a few ice cubes (to provide even moisture) once a week. Orchids prefer indirect sunlight. The plant is about 20 inches tall and arrives in a gray planter.

Succulent Garden — Overflowing with five different types of succulents, this garden is a great option for the plant lover who also seeks low-maintenance options. These succulents prefer indirect sunlight and should be watered when the soil has completely dried out. The Succulent Garden includes “Jade” (Crassula ovata), “Burgundy” (Crassula), “Kiwi” (Aeonium), Echeveria and “Debbie” (Graptoveria).

Peace Lily Plant— The Peace Lily is a very popular plant because it’s easy to care for and is a great air purifier. The Peace Lily Plant prefers to be in full sun to partial shade and should be watered once a week, when soil feels dry. To promote even plant growth, rotate it once or twice a week.

With a little bit of care and monitoring, you can rest assured that your plants are growing healthy and strong!

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