Houseplant Problems

Identify and Correct Houseplant Problems

Indoor houseplant problems are common. Many problems are similar to those experienced by your plants outdoors – too much water, too little water, insects, and plant disease to name a few. It should not surprise you then, to realize that treatment is also similar. For many problems, like too much or too little water, both problem identification and the remedy are simple and easy.

Identifying the cause of the problem comes before the cure. Here’s where you get to play Plant Doctor and Medical Investigator. First, study the plant and its environment. Finding the problem, or problems is often a process of elimination of one potential cause and then another.

Listed below are some of the most common houseplant problems and what you can do about them.

Sympton: Leaves Turning Yellow

Possible causes: This is a common plant problem inside and out. Unfortunately, this may be due to several problems including too much or too little light, and too much fertilizer. It could also be caused by too much water.

What to Do: In the order listed above, adjust your house plant’s environment. Hold off adding any additional fertilizer until the problem is resolved. Watch carefully to see how your plant responds as you address each potential cause.

Symptom: Base of the Stem is Soft or Mushy

Possible cause: This is a common result of over-watering.

What to Do: Let the surface of the soil dry out between watering. If the pot does not have drainage holes, re-pot your plant into one that does. While re-potting, make sure to use soil that drains well. Add coarse sand to improve drainage.

In the future, water from the bottom.

Symptom: Leaf Tips are Turning Brown

Possible cause: Like yellowing leaves, there are several causes of this plant problem. The most common cause is too much or too little water. Too much fertilizer is also a common cause.

What to Do: Follow the proper procedure for watering your houseplants. Hold off adding fertilizer for three to four weeks. Repot in fresh soil.

Symptom: Dry and Brittle Leaves

Possible cause: Too little water or low humidity.

What to Do: Follow the proper procedure for watering your houseplants. Increase the humidity in your home. Use plant misters. More on Humidity.

Symptom: Leaf Drop

Possible cause: Too little sun, or too much fertilizer. Too much or too little water. Exposure to cold or draft.

What to Do: Follow the proper procedure for watering your houseplants. Hold off adding fertilizer for three to four weeks. If you have your plant in a sunny window, move it to a location with less light. Check the temperature of where you have your plant.

Symptom: Yellow or Brown Spots on Leaves

Possible cause: Too much sun or too much water.

What to Do: If the plant is in a sunny, southerly window move it to an area with less light. Check to see if the soil is too wet.

Symptom: Slow Plant Growth

Possible cause: Too little sunlight, water, or fertilizer. Also, the plant may have become root-bound in a flowerpot too small for the size of the plant.

What to Do: Provide more direct sunlight or grow-light. Repot the plant into a larger flowerpot. Add water. Add liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks.

Symptom: Insects on Plant and/or Leaves

Possible cause: Insects are usually introduced to a home by a new plant. The new plant could be one you just bought or a plant you have moved in from outdoors. Insects then spread to other houseplants in your home.

What to Do: Insecticides are not intended for indoor use. And, you don’t want to introduce harmful chemicals into your home. An organic insect repellent may prove successful. Try a dish detergent soap repellent. Spray or gently wipe the leaves with the detergent repellent. Keep an eye out for insects and hand remove them as you spot them. In the future, carefully inspect any and every plant you bring into your home.

See: Organic Insect Repellents

Symptom: Insects in the Soil

What to Do: Insecticides are not intended for indoor use. One of the most common methods of ridding insects from the soil is to immerse the entire pot or container in water. Leave it there for an hour. Then remove it from the water and allow it to drain. The container must have drainage holes on the bottom. Keep an eye out for insects that may have crawled up the plant during the process. Repotting may also work if you can remove all of the insects as you repot the plant.

Symptom: Dust on Leaves

Possible cause: Dust in your home is unavoidable. The dust in your home accumulates on everything So, it’s pretty obvious that over time the leaves of your houseplants will become dusty. It becomes unsightly, too. Dust on the leaves acts as a filter, cutting down the limited available light that the leaves receive.

What to Do: Dust the leaves…. but, do so gently. A fan may also work to rid most dust. Try it on fine or delicate leaves. You can also use a solution of dish detergent and warm water. Emerge a paper towel or soft rag in the solution. Squeeze out excess water, then gently wipe the leaves.