Become a plant whisperer.
Fix your plant problems before they become permanent.
It’s not easy to keep track of what your plants need. Luckily, they will usually let you know. These are the signs your plants are in trouble.
Five signs your plants are giving you that they need some TLC’
1. Wilting leaves
This one seems straightforward. Like that old, wilted head of lettuce in the fridge, the plant obviously just wants a good soak…dehydrated plants have sad, wilting leaves, right?
Well – its not that easy. To be sure, you’ll have to get your hands dirty. So, stick your finger into the plant’s soil, at least to the depth of your second knuckle. If the soil is dry all the way down, then yes – your plant is dehydrated, and a simple watering session will do. If the soil is still moist deeper down, but the plant is still wilting you might have bigger problems. Wilting despite moist solid usually points to root rot. This is a common but unfortunate condition that happens due to overwatering or flooding during excessive rain.
Either way, wilting means too little or too much water. To clear up root rot you’ll need to dig up the plant and inspect the roots. Trim away rotten or soggy roots, wash them, dip them in a general-purpose fungicide and then replant it in a clean patch of soil.
Take note: If it’s neither root rot, nor drought, your plant might suffer due to low humidity.
2. Discoloured leaves (yellowing in particular)
Leaves can discolour for many reasons, once again including under- or over watering, but there are other causes as well.
Yellowing leaves that dry up and drop off your plant are simply part of the aging process, but if you see that young leaves are discoloured, its time to investigate. This can be due to too much sun, or alternatively because it is too cold. A cold snap, or persistent draft can cause your plants leaves to turn yellow. If you have eliminated water as an issue, try moving your plant to a shadier, more sheltered position and see if this clears up the problem. If your plants leaves turn yellow and then drop off completely, its usually due to a lack of sunlight. Confusing? We know…
3. Dropping leaves that are otherwise healthy
This can be a serious issue, as plants dropping leaves that are otherwise healthy usually indicate that the plant is dying off for some reason. Although most deciduous plant can draw on their reserves and regrow their leaves, many other plants won’t survive a total loss of foliage. The best explanations so far for plants dropping leaves is:
- Overwatering
- Total under-watering
- Sudden shifts in surroundings/climate
- Watering with water that is too hot or too cold.
4. Woolly aphid infestations
These little pests show themselves, and there is no mistaking them. Looking like little fluffy white growths that materialise under your plant’s leaves and at the base of the leaf stems, these are ugly, but mostly harmless bugs. The only problem is that they secrete a super sticky substance, called “honeydew” that can stain your plant leaves and leave them looking dirty. The sweet honeydew also attracts flies and ants. They are part of the arachnid family, and like ticks they suck the life from your plants. One or two aphids isn’t an issue, but they multiply quickly, so its better to deal with them right away.
Luckily there are many ways to get rid of them:
- Dislodging them with a firm water spray and washing them away
- Soaking your plant in a solution of one-part white vinegar and two-parts water
- Spraying them with mild soapy water (dishwashing liquid works best)
- Obviously, there are many different pesticides available at your local garden centre as well – just be sure to use poison responsibly.
5. For container plants: Roots climbing out above the ground level or pot, or cracks in the pot.
Whether its an indoor or an outdoor container plant, you should remember that these plants grow and with the growth comes root expansion.
Indoor plants like monsteras and philodendrons will climb out of their pots and try to walk to better soil, but other plants might just end up moping and dying off. If your monstera has decided that the potted life isn’t for her anymore, you have two choices, repot, or set free. If its sensible, simply get a bigger, deeper pot and then move your plant to their new home, taking care to cover all the roots and new root creeper in soil and firmly compacting the solid before watering well. If repotting isn’t an option, set your plant free in a suitable part of your garden and watch her grow!
Do more research:
Signs your plants are struggling
