House plants bring a sense of nature into your home and taking care of them can even be therapeutic, but if they don’t look or feel their best then it can be disheartening. A lot of plants are fairly simple to take care of, but sometimes they can be fickle and require a bit more TLC. In order to avoid your plants looking (and feeling) neglected or mishandled, here are some helpful tips on how to get your house plants back to their blooming best.
1. Check the Soil
Wilted leaves or browning edges can be a sign of too much or too little water, so check your soil for signs of moisture and adjust accordingly. Furthermore, it could be an indication of a nutrient deficiency, so consider adding some fertilizer to the soil. Doing a little bit of research goes a long way in knowing what type of watering your plant needs. Some plants need more water than others, so it pays to know your plants! As a general rule of thumb you never want your plants soil to be particularly “wet” unless you just watered it. Some plants may even want their soil shockingly dry before re-watering.
2. Adjust the Humidity
Controlling the humidity in a room can benefit a struggling house plant by mimicking the plant’s natural environment. Many plants thrive in high humidity environments, and indoor air can be quite dry, especially in the winter when heating systems are used. Low humidity can cause a plant’s leaves to become dry and brittle, and can also make the plant more susceptible to disease. A room humidifier is one of the best ways to increase the humidity in a room for a struggling house plant. An air humidifier works by adding water vapor to the air, which can raise the humidity level in a room. Using an air humidifier in a room where a plant is struggling can help it to recover and thrive. Additionally, you should also check the plant’s soil moisture, ensuring that it is not too dry or over watered, adjusting water as necessary.
3. Prune Away the Brown Leaves
Brown leaves and stems are a sure sign of poor health, so prune away any dead or dying parts from your plants. This will help to stimulate new growth and keep them looking their best. Be gentle when cutting, but don’t be afraid to give them a bit of a trim – they’ll thank you for it in the long run! First, identify which leaves are brown or dead and need to be removed- These leaves will be dry, discolored and wilted. Always use clean, sharp scissors or pruners when cutting away brown or dead leaves on a houseplant. This will help prevent the spread of disease and ensure a clean cut! Begin by cutting away the leaves that are closest to the soil. This will make it easier to see which leaves need to be removed and will prevent accidentally cutting away healthy leaves. Be careful not to cut away too many leaves at once, as this can shock the plant and leave it vulnerable to disease. Instead, remove a few leaves at a time, giving the plant time to adjust.
4. Make Use of Sunshine
Most house plants – like humans – love soaking up some vitamin D and getting a bit of sunshine. Moving your plants near windows or in well lit areas will help them get the nutrition they need to look their best. For plants that are acclimated to shady areas, direct sunlight might be too strong and burn the leaves, so keep an eye on where they’ll thrive the most in your home. Again, knowing what type of plant you have on your hands and what its needs are comes incredibly handy when trying to please a problem plant!
5.Repotting Might be Your Best Bet
Repotting a struggling house plant can help it to recover and thrive. The reasons to repot a plant are that over time, the plant’s roots can outgrow the pot, becoming root-bound, which means the roots have filled up all the available space and have started to circle around the inside of the pot. When a plant is root-bound, it can inhibit the plant’s growth, as the roots can’t absorb nutrients and water as effectively. Repotting into a larger pot with fresh soil can give the roots more room to grow, allowing the plant to recover. Also, the fresh soil will have more nutrients, which can help the plant to regain its strength. It’s important to note that not all plants need to be repotted often, and it is best to wait for the plant to outgrow its pot, or when soil has become depleted, before repotting it, so make sure to check your plants roots as much as you can before committing to a full re-pot.
In Conclusion
By following these steps, you can help any struggling house plant to recover and look its best. Knowing what type of plant it is, where it should be placed in the home, and how to adjust the humidity in a room are all key factors in helping a struggling house plant thrive. Pruning away dead leaves and repotting into fresh soil can also help to boost the health of any house plant. With the right care, you can turn a struggling house plant into a beautiful and healthy addition to your home.
