If your indoor plant is looking gloomy and sad, then check out these Signs of Unhappy Houseplants and follow the measures suggested here!
If your favorite indoor plants are not thriving and looking dull—it’s good to know the Signs of Unhappy Houseplants to see whether they’re unhealthy or not.
Fewer Flowers, Excessive Leaves
If you notice more leaves on your flowering houseplant than its flowers, it indicates excessive nitrogen or lack of sunlight. To avoid this, provide more light and feed with reduced nitrogen fertilizer. Make a fertilizing schedule and follow it!
Brown and Crispy Foliage
Like dropping foliage, it’s normal for a plant to have some falling brown leaves. But the problem arises when new foliage gets affected, or more leaves turn brown. This indicates that your plant is unhappy. The reasons are:
- If the entire leaf is turning brown and crinkly, it indicates underwatering and a dry or less humid environment. In such conditions, water the plant deeply and make sure you do not let the soil go completely dry for a long time. If it is due to dry air, add a humidifier or pebble tray.
- If the leaves’ edges turn brown, it’s a sign of too much fertilizer, excessive use of pesticides, dry soil, hot air, low temperature, accumulated salts, or root rot. To fix it, fertilize the plant once a month and stand the pot in trays lined with pebbles. Also, water the plants thoroughly so the excess salts flush out through drainage holes.
Scorched Leaves
Scorched and burnt leaves are a sign of overexposure to the direct sun. In such conditions, move the plant from direct to indirect sunlight and remove the affected foliage.
Water the plant well but start practicing of this rule–Water only when topsoil feels dry to touch and avoid overfertilization as it will worsen the burn.
Wilting Plant and Smaller Leaves
Too wet soil can cause a wilting plant and drooping leaves. Avoid overwatering to encourage healthy root growth and prevent root rot.
If the plant is wilting, remove the plant from the pot and check the roots, and if you find rotten, swollen or infected roots, trim them. Repot the plant using a fresh potting mix in a clean pot with adequate drainage holes.
Spotted or Speckled Leaves
The reason behind this issue is the fungal infection. If you notice a similar problem, isolate the infected plant from other plants and increase air circulation by creating space between them.
Also, avoid misting or splashing water on foliage while watering, especially if you’re keeping your plants in a position that lacks air circulation and light.
Leaf deformation and White Powdery Fungal Growth on Foliage
Powdery mildew causes the issues mentioned above. Treat this problem by stop splashing water on leaves, removing infected leaves, and avoid cluttering plants too close together.
Cleaning leaves of houseplants also help in preventing this problem.
Brown to Black and Soft Roots
Black, mushy, and brown roots show root and stem rot. In such cases, remove the affected plant, trim the infected roots, and repot the plant using a fresh potting mix in a clean pot and apply a fungicide.
Falling Leaves
Leaf dropping is a common sign of an unhealthy plant. Most houseplants shed a leaf or two once in a while, usually the mature ones close to the stem. But if your plant is shedding a lot of leaves, then it might be due to:
- Sudden change in growing conditions or fluctuation in temperature
- Too small pot or very root-bound state
- Watering plant with cold water
- Lack of water
- Overwatering
Stunted Growth, Distortion, and Dieback
Due to botrytis blight, plants suffer from distortion, stunted growth, and dieback. You can manage this issue by isolating the diseased plant, so the problem doesn’t spread among other plants. Also, cut the infected parts and improve the air circulation.
It can also be due to the plant’s exposure to cold drafts of wind. In that case, keep it at a location where it is safe from sudden temperature changes and excessively cold air. Also, be careful of the root rot. Do make sure that you are not overwatering the plant.
Soils high in clay and nutrient defiance in plants are also two of the prime reasons for improper growth. Use a quality potting mix that is loamy with correct fertilization to ensure the plant stays healthy and happy!
Leaf’s Tip Turning Yellow and Brown
This problem indicates that your plant is suffering from anthracnose. To cure this, remove the infected leaves and don’t mist the foliage. Also, avoid wetting the foliage too often while watering the plant.
Brown tips can also be caused due to under and overwatering, lack of nutrients or overfertilization, improper light, low air circulation, and exposure to extreme temperatures.
Variegated or Colorful Leaves Losing Color
If you have a houseplant with variegated foliage having bright colors and it starts to lose its vibrance with leaves changing to a solid color hue, then this indicates that the plant is not happy and is not getting enough light it needs.
The best way to cure this problem is to increase the amount of bright light it is receiving. Keeping the plant in the direct morning sun for 1-2 hours is good, too.
Clean the Foliage
A plant may not be growing the way it should because of the dirt on foliage. A thick layer of dust on the leaves will prevent it from absorbing light the way it should, hampering its overall growth considerably, yellowing of leaves, and droopy foliage.
The simple way to avoid this problem is to clean the leaves using a damp and soft cotton cloth. Gently wipe the outer layer of the leaves once in 10-12 days to keep the plant clean and happy!