5 Tips to Save Your Dying Plants

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For many gardeners, the first experience with a dying plant is also their last. They see that one leaf has turned yellow, feel its leaves drooping slightly, and think there isn’t much they can do about it. However, sometimes all it takes to save a plant’s life is some tender loving care.Here are ten tips for saving your dying houseplants. 

1.) Make Sure You Really Have A Dying Plant

Houseplants are like pets in the way they can’t talk, so you cannot always be sure of their state of health. Don’t plant your “death wish” on something that is perfectly fine. Things like lack of light and over and under watering plants can make them look dead. 

“Plants that are thriving typically will have roots and stems that are firm but still” patio and home builder Gary, who specialises in transforming gardens, “If you notice that the stems or roots of your plant are mushy, rotted or brittle, it can be a sign your plant is dying”.

You can also keep an eye on the leaves, if they’re dry or wilting that’s another sign your plant is on it’s way out and needs special care.

2.) Check How Often You Need to Water It 

Most plants need water once or twice a week. If your plant starts to wither it is probably a sign your plant is thirsty! Over watering can be just as deadly to house plants as under watering, afterall plants can drown too! It is important to read the little directions card that comes with your plant to check what conditions it thrives in and how much water it needs. If you’re unsure you can google the plant and find out everything you need to know. 

3.) Improve The Light Quality And Quantity

Most houseplants get too little light. All plants need light for the photosynthesis process where they convert light, water and oxygen into energy. Look at where your plant is located and consider moving it somewhere with brighter light. Take care to avoid putting plants in direct sunlight as it can dry them out and kill them.

“If your plant is outdoors be aware of other trees that have a lot of shade or pergolas which can block out the sun and stop plants from thriving” suggests pergola installer Premier Patios and Pergolas. 

4.) Reduce The Noise

Noisy appliances like fans, air conditioners, refrigerators, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and exhaust fans can damage plants by causing them to dry out too fast. If a plant seems to be withering away quickly despite your attempts to help it, check the conditions. 

5.) Adjust The Temperature

Houseplants thrive in different temperatures depending on their type. Tender plants tend to prefer warmer temperatures whereas harder plants like it cooler. Obviously it’s unrealistic to cater your home’s temperature to your plants but it is best to research a plant’s temperature preferences when you purchase it. 

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 4.) Relocate The Plant

If all else fails, consider moving your plant outside for a time (assuming temperatures aren’t too cold). Keep it in indirect sunlight and away from high winds or extreme heat. Don’t be afraid to move it back indoors if your plant shows stress or if outdoor conditions don’t suit it.

5.) Try a High Protein Plant Food 

Just like humans, plants need protein to be healthy. Most plant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and you can determine the levels of each using the N-P-K number. Plant foods with high protein content will have more nitrogen. 

“If you use a good high protein plant fertiliser or food, it actually won’t change the nutritional content of the fruit or veggie, so if you eat it won’t have a higher amount of protein” explains Healthful naturopathy, “What high protein plant food can do is provide you with a longer harvest period and higher yield which is awesome”.

Plant food is actually for the microbes who live in a plant’s soil. When microbes eat this high protein plant food they release nitrogen that plants use to become more stress-tolerant, live longer and yield better crops.