Why are all my houseplants dying? In this post, you get to know about 6 reasons why. What indoor gardener hasn’t wondered about this? As beneficial as houseplants are for your health and decor, it can sometimes appear that they just love to die—especially if you’re new to indoor gardening. Worse, in many cases, gardeners are perplexed as to why their beloved plant died.
The good news is that plants don’t just die for no reason. Depending on the species, houseplants are fairly predictable, and the vast majority of houseplant deaths are all caused by the same few factors. Here are some common causes of death of houseplants.
So, let’s get started.
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6 Reasons: Why Are All My Houseplants Dying
Why are all my houseplants dying below we mention six reasons:
1. Excessive Water
Too much water may appear impossible, but it is not only possible but also a very common mistake. In a typical potting situation, very few plants, including many of the tropical plants we love indoors, can withstand daily watering. The adage that you should wait until the top inch of soil is dry is a good rule of thumb. Look for signs of thirst in your plant, such as drooping or wilting leaves. You should generally wait to water your plants until they are thirsty. This is the first reason why are all my houseplants dying.
2. Poor Drainage
This is overwatering’s, first cousin. Watering and drainage are so intertwined that it’s difficult to tell them apart, but there’s no denying that poor drainage kills many plants. Poorly drained pots, which can include root-bound plants or simply old potting soil, can easily retain water in the bottom of the pot, even if the top of the pot is drier. As a result, roots sit in water, creating ideal conditions for root rot.
Similarly, many people water their plants until the water runs out of the tray but then fail to empty the tray, leaving the plant sitting in a pond. On the other hand, this is also a recipe for root rot. The better your drainage, the more frequently you can water and the more leeway you have to make watering mistakes. This is the second reason why are all my houseplants dying.
3. Not Repotting
It’s too common for a plant owner to have a plant for a year or two, during which time it thrives and looks great, only to be surprised and perplexed when the plant begins to fail for no apparent reason. This is often caused by a root-bound plant no longer receiving adequate nutrition from the soil (because there isn’t much left). Not all plants require annual repotting, but you should keep an eye out for root-bound plants. This is the third reason why are all my houseplants dying.
4. Making Use of Old Potting Soil
This is also linked to not repotting. Most potting soils are made from peat, which degrades over time and becomes more acidic. Even if nothing else changes, as peat degrades, it becomes more difficult for water and oxygen to reach the root zone, causing the plant to starve slowly (e.g., your watering schedule). Repotting the plant as needed is the best solution here. If your plant is too old, take cuttings. This is the fourth reason why are all my houseplants dying.
5. Not Enough Water
This is mostly due to neglect, so it’s safe to assume that people who let their plants die due to a lack of water simply don’t care. This is the fifth reason why are all my houseplants dying.
6. Fertilizer Concerns
There is a notable absence of light and fertilizer issues on this list. The truth is that many plants can be very adaptable if you get the watering and drainage right. A plant with a healthy root zone can often withstand temperature fluctuations, poor lighting conditions, and even less-than-ideal light levels. Plants, in this sense, are similar to houses in that they require a solid foundation to thrive. However, if you provide the proper light and use fertilizer sparingly, your plants will thrive.
Finally, if you find yourself killing many plants, it may be time to start buying tougher houseplants and gradually working your way up to the more difficult plants. This is the sixth reason why are all my houseplants dying.
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Before It’s Too Late: Six Ways to Revive a Dying House Plant
Thousands of plants are cared for by our horticultural technicians for our clients. When they notice a plant isn’t performing well, they must first perform a diagnosis to determine what is wrong and what type of fix is required. Here are some pointers for you if you’re an inexperienced horticultural technician at work or home.
1. Overwatering
This is the leading cause of houseplant extinction. Watering is how people kill their plants with kindness. If a plant has been overwatered to the point where the roots are rotting, “watering it regularly” will only worsen matters. Rotted roots frequently allow a pathogen into the plant, which is doomed. Remove any rotted roots and replace any muddied soil. Allow the soil to dry until it is damp but not bone dry. Even then, you may be unable to save it.
2. Underwatering
If the plant is withering due to a lack of water, hydrate the soil by immersing the entire pot in a sink or bucket of water for 15 to 30 minutes. Watering from the top will likely run down the sides because the soil has hardened into a dry brick. Allow it to drain completely before placing your plant in water. Then, set a calendar reminder to water—or get a plant that requires very little watering, such as a succulent.
3. Replant in new soil to cure
If the plant’s roots are becoming choked off due to overcrowding, remove it from the pot, gently loosen and separate the roots, and repot into fresh soil. Choose a pot slightly larger than the one from which you are removing it. Going too big too fast can cause issues.
4. Move into a less harsh light
If you notice brown or black splotches on the leaves on one side of the plant, check to see if it is getting direct midday sunlight from a nearby window. Your plant has been severely sunburned and scorched. Remove the plant from direct sunlight and trim the leaves.
5. The cause is a lack of sunlight
If your plant’s leaves are turning yellow or pale, or if they are falling off, it may be lacking in sunlight. Most hardy house plants can withstand the abuse, but they require sunlight to thrive. The best place to start with your plants is in bright indirect sunlight. Trying to grow a plant without adequate light is a sure way to fail.
6. Failure to thrive
When there isn’t an obvious cause, such as overwatering, ensure you know what conditions your specific plant prefers and that its location meets these requirements. Then, determine whether the temperature in your office or home is too high or too low for the plant. Check if the plant is left unattended in an office all weekend to see if the building’s air conditioning is turned off and the plant is getting cooked while you’re gone. Sitting a plant next to a vent and blasting cold air can cause issues.
Conclusion (Why Are All My Houseplants Dying)
This is the end of this post which is why are all my houseplants dying. Whatever the problem is, one thing you should not do is fertilize a sick plant. Fertilizer is not chicken soup, nor are antibiotics. What you can do is prune any dead leaves or stems. Allow a few leaves to absorb and process sunlight. Ascertain that the plant has adequate drainage from the bottom of its container. When it returns to life and new growth appears, consider using a general water-soluble fertilizer to help it along.
FAQs (Why Are All My Houseplants Dying)
Q1. How can I tell if my plant requires more water?
Symptoms: If the plant’s leaves are droopy and falling off, it’s a sign that it’s not getting enough water.
The goal is to saturate the soil, so it’s evenly moist, then allow it to dry before watering again. The majority of indoor plants are tropical, and they prefer warm water rather than hot or cold.”
Q2. How do I know if my pot is too small?
Customers email him, asking, “Why isn’t my plant growing?” ” ‘Don’t you notice how big the plant is in comparison to the pot?’ After reviewing the photograph, I respond. It’s like trying to fit your foot into a shoe that’s two sizes too small!”
Solution: As a general rule, the plant’s volume should be two-thirds above and one-third below ground. Depending on the size of the pot, the soil level should be within an inch or two of the rim so that when you pour in water, it can pool before seeping in.