How to Revive Houseplants

In this Article, I write about “How to Revive Houseplants”. Have you ever looked at your once-thriving houseplants and wondered, “What went wrong?” Don’t worry — I’ve said that many times myself! Many indoor plant enthusiasts struggle with dying indoor plants at some point. The good news? With the right care and attention, you can often bring your green companions back to life. Let’s explore the steps you can take to revive your houseplants and prevent future problems.

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Identifying Signs of a Dying Indoor Plant

Sometimes, identifying the issue is the hardest part. How do you know whether your plant is dying or just having a “bad hair day”? Here’s how to recognize the signs.

Visual Cues

Yellowing leaves, brown tips, or crispy edges are often your plant’s way of crying for help. Drooping, wilting, or stunted growth are also common red flags. These are usually visible at a glance and indicate that something in your plant’s environment needs an adjustment.

Behavioral Signs

Behavioral signs might not be as obvious, but they’re just as important. Slower-than-normal growth, leaf drop, or a plant that stubbornly refuses to grow new foliage are indications that it’s not thriving. Pay attention to how your plant behaves over time — subtle changes can speak volumes.

Learn more about keeping houseplants healthy with our helpful guide.

Common Causes of Plant Decline

Before you can fix the problem, you’ve got to figure out what caused it. Most houseplant issues stem from one of these common factors.

Overwatering vs. Underwatering

Too much water or too little is a major cause of dying indoor plants. Soil that’s soggy to the touch or water pooling at the base says you’re overwatering. On the flip side, dry, cracked soil is a sign you’re underwatering. Find the right balance by testing your soil regularly.

If your soil is separating from the pot it is another sign of underwatering.

Insufficient Light

Light is like food for your plants, so a poorly lit room can starve them. Pay attention to light needs for specific plants. Some thrive in bright, indirect light; others prefer shady corners. Use grow lights if natural sunlight is hard to come by. Peace lily plants will do well in a dark spot.

Pests and Diseases

Tiny bugs like spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs can wreak havoc on your plant. Yellowing leaves or sticky residue could indicate an infestation. Diseases like root rot, caused by overwatering, can also result in declining health.

Reviving Your Indoor Plants

Now that you know what’s wrong, it’s time to get your hands dirty. These steps will help you bring your plants back from the brink.

Treating Pests and Diseases

To handle pests, start by rinsing the plant under water to knock off bugs. Or take them outdoors and place a plastic trash bag underneath. Use a strong stream of water to force the insects off the plant. A good spray bottle will do the trick. For more stubborn infestations, use an insecticidal soap or neem oil. You can use a non-organic insecticide to kill insects that won’t go away, however, take the plant outdoors and spray on a non-windy day.

If these methods do not work, it is best to toss the plant in the trash bin.

Diseases like root rot require you to remove affected roots and replant in clean soil. Not only does Neem oil kill insects it also helps with fungi and other diseases. Always sterilize tools between uses!

Adjust your watering routine

First things first: adjust your watering routine. For overly dry soil, soak the plant thoroughly and let it drain. If it’s drowning in water, remove the pot and inspect the roots. Trim away any that are mushy or black, then repot in fresh, dry potting soil.

Adjusting Light Conditions

Move your plant to a better location where it can soak up the appropriate amount of light. Close to a window with filtered sunlight is ideal for most species. If natural light isn’t an option, use artificial grow lights to give it the boost it needs. Underneath a good skylight, also aids in more light to plants.

Long-Term Care Tips for Healthy Houseplants

Once you’ve nursed your plant back to health, keep it that way with these simple tips.

Optimal Watering Schedule

There’s no one-size-fits-all schedule, but checking your plant’s soil before every watering is a good habit to have. The best method is to stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, give your plant a drink. Otherwise, wait a day or two. You can also use moisture meters they are accurate and good for folks who do not want to get their hands dirty.

Fertilization

Like humans, plants need food too. Use a balanced fertilizer every month or two during the growing season. Be cautious not to over-fertilize; too much can burn the roots and set back plant recovery. To be safe it is best to water first, then fertilize, and water again after that.

A good NPK is 20-20-20. Peter’s All purpose house plant is recommended. Peters 20-20-20, Peters 15-3-25, Peters 15-15-15, again the 20-20-20 works best. Most home and garden stores will stock this fertilizer. Need more information on Fertilizer? What is Fertilizer?

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Environment

Not all plants will thrive in your home. Pick ones that suit your lifestyle and growing conditions. If you’re low on light or time, opt for resilient varieties like spider plants or snake plants. Most succulents are low-water plants but need lots of light. Monstera and Pothos like high to medium light. Orchids like lots of light.

The snake plant is a succulent and can survive in low light but is better with medium light. Spider plants are easy and can take low or high light conditions. If you have brown tips on your spider plant you can just use good scissors and prune the tips.

Hands cutting off withered leaf tips with scissors. Shriveled plant, flower Chlorophytum. Renewal of spider plant.

If it looks completely withered and droopy just trim it down to about 1/2 inch above the soil. It will come back to look refreshed and new.

Conclusion

Reviving dying indoor plants isn’t as complicated as it seems. With a little patience, some troubleshooting, and proper care, you can give your plants the second chance they deserve. Start by understanding the problem, make the necessary adjustments, and commit to regular maintenance. Your plants will thank you with vibrant growth and fresh greenery for years to come. Ready to give it a try?