5 Tell-Tale Signs Your Plant Is Unhealthy

Plants make the world a more beautiful place, so it's important to keep them in the best health. After all, they look their best and produce beautiful flowers when they are well-nourished and strong. However, improper watering, temperature changes, or the wrong light levels can cause a plant's health to decline. That's why it's important to stay on top of your plant's recommended care schedule so that it stays healthy for a long time. When you notice these 5 telltale signs your plant is unhealthy, it's time to take action!

1. It’s Wilting

One of the most obvious signs that a plant isn’t thriving is when you see its head and stem begin to droop. This means that it’s lacking hydration and nutrients and needs to be nourished as soon as possible. It can also be getting the wrong amount of sunlight or be suffering from rotting roots. Troubleshoot this situation by checking the soil and your plant’s care specs. Hopefully, you've come just in time to rescue your wilting plant!

2. The Flowers Aren’t Lasting

If you have a flowering plant that can’t seem to produce flowers, or if it flowers briefly and the petals fall away, it's not healthy. Unless it’s a flower that blooms for just one circadian cycle like the bearded iris, your plant shouldn’t lose its flowers or buds so quickly. Check what type of fertilizer you are using and your watering schedule to see if there is any room for improvement.

3. There Are Discolored Leaves

Though plants have a natural cycle of new leaf growth, an increasing amount of yellow or withering leaves can spell big trouble. It can mean that the plant is dying. Also, if the plant used to be a vibrant deep green and has faded to be less “robust” looking compared to its days of glory, it may be lacking nutrients. Brown leaf tips can also spell trouble for your plant. This is a result of too much fertilizer or salt in the soil, so it is advised to examine your potting soil and see if it’s right for your plant.

4. It’s Developed a Plant Disease

If your once vibrant plant has developed dark spots on its leaves, then it could have a plant disease. Diseases like garden blight are common but happen more in plants grown in unfertilized soil, with improper watering, bad drainage, or lack of mulch. Sometimes viruses also cause plants to fail, though affected plants can recover on their own. To minimize your chances of encountering plant disease, stay on top of your plant’s specific care instructions.

5. The Roots Are Rotting

Improperly potted plants that don’t have enough drainage in their soil can develop fungus that starts to attack the roots. This hits plants hard since they take vital nutrients from the soil. If the fungus has developed enough, you can see it on the top of the soil or within if you sift the soil around. To prevent this problem, you can use the right potting soil for your plant and purchase a pot that allows good drainage.

Get Pots, Fertilizer, Plants, and More at Plantshed

When your plant is unhealthy, there can be a variety of preventable problems. When you get all the right items to help your plant grow normally, you reduce your chance of having an unhealthy plant. At Plantshed, you can find the right soil, the correct fertilizer type, pruning tools, and more — so that you can cultivate healthier plants.