3 Common Houseplant Problems and How to Solve Them

Dealing with problematic houseplants can be distressing. It may seem like one minute they’re in perfectly good shape, and the next they’ve lost their integrity and are wilting or otherwise suffering. Take comfort in knowing that many plants experience issues from time to time. Most of these can be resolved in just a few steps, ensuring that your green family continues to live and thrive. Here are a few common concerns that you may experience.

Problem: Leaves Are Yellow

Don’t be alarmed if you spot a couple of yellow leaves. Remove them and continue to monitor the plant. If more develops, or if there are already several present, it could be indicative of a plant that’s overwatered. When you oversaturate the soil, the water can’t drain efficiently. Instead, the roots rest in water for extended periods, eventually rotting and leaving the plant vulnerable to developing a disease.

So how to fix an overwatered plant? It’s possible but act fast. Stop watering it right away, then wait until it’s thoroughly dry. This might be enough to resolve the problem. You should also tilt the container to make sure there’s no water left behind. Don’t be afraid to place the plant in a warmer space; the heat will boost evaporation levels, too. If you spot rotting roots, remove any visible mold or decay, so only the healthy roots are left behind. Then repot the plant in a new container with dry soil. You can even add some cinnamon to the soil to prevent mold and mildew regrowth.

Problem: Leaves Are Wilting

There are many reasons your plant may wilt. It could be due to watering too much or too little, excess heat exposure, low humidity levels, or disease. Because it’s more difficult to determine the culprit here, you’ll have to do some general detective work to figure it out.

Begin by inserting a fingertip into the soil and testing how it feels. If it’s too damp, stop watering right away and let the soil dry out before you add any more moisture. If it’s dry, your soil needs water pronto. Once you’ve determined whether moisture levels are the culprit, adjust your watering schedule adequately to ensure the problem doesn’t occur again in the future. If this isn’t the problem, try misting it lightly to boost humidity.

Problem: Leaves Have Brown Tips

When the leaves’ tips are brown, that’s most commonly due to poor watering habits. If you don’t water it regularly and when the plant needs moisture the most, the leaves may bear the brunt of the damage and show you the evidence as proof. Stick to a routine schedule, taking care not to skip watering or to only soak the soil on occasion. When you water, check to make sure the water flows out of the drainage holes at the container’s base.

Another possible culprit of brown leaves is low humidity levels. This is more likely to be the case if you’re nurturing a tropical variety. They need conditions that replicate their natural environment, so it’s crucial to keep them moist and happy. If your household air is on the dry side, be sure to spritz the plant with a light mist of water every couple of days.

Even if you suspect your plant has a health concern, you can still have success in recovering it back to its previous condition and helping it thrive. Pay close attention to the condition of your indoor jungle. If anything seems amiss, act fast — the sooner you take steps to remedy any problems, the more likely they can be resolved.