As a houseplant enthusiast, it’s inevitable to encounter some challenges along the way. Whether it’s yellowing leaves, pests, or slow growth, these issues can be frustrating. We’ve put together a list of common houseplant problems and how to fix them:
1. Yellowing Leaves: A Sign of Trouble?
Yellowing leaves on your houseplants can be a common occurrence, but it’s often difficult to determine whether the issue is overwatering or underwatering. Here are some key indicators to help you identify the cause:
Overwatering:
- Soil: The soil feels soggy or mushy to the touch.
- Leaves: Yellowing often starts at the base of the plant and progresses upward.
- Roots: The roots may be brown, mushy, or rotting.
- Overall appearance: The plant may look wilted or have a sickly appearance.
Underwatering:
- Soil: The soil feels dry to the touch.
- Leaves: Yellowing often starts at the tips of the leaves and progresses inward.
- Plant appearance: The plant may appear wilted or have crispy leaf edges.
Another cause of yellowing leaves is a lack of essential nutrients like nitrogen, magnesium or iron in the soil of your houseplant.
Solutions:
- Check soil moisture: Use your finger to test the soil moisture. If it’s too wet, let it dry out before watering again. If it’s too dry, water thoroughly.
- Repotting: If the plant is root-bound, repotting it into a larger pot with fresh, well-draining soil can help (check out our step-by-step guide to repotting here.)
- Fertilisation: Use a balanced houseplant fertiliser to provide essential nutrients.
- Product Recommendations: Use a well-draining potting mix (we carry a variety of blends to cater to different plant needs) and a soil enhancer (like Vitasoil Organic Soil Enhancer).
2. Pests: A Common Houseplant Enemy
Pests can be a nuisance, but with proper identification and treatment, you can keep them under control.
- Aphids: These tiny, sap-sucking insects can cause leaves to curl and turn yellow.
- Mealybugs: These cottony-looking pests can infest plants and weaken them.
- Spider Mites: These tiny spider-like creatures can cause leaves to turn yellow and develop webbing.
Solutions:
- Isolate infected plants: Remove infested plants from your collection to prevent the pests from spreading.
- Natural remedies: Use insecticidal soap or neem oil as natural remedies to control pests.
- Beneficial Insects: Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs or lacewings to prey on pests.
- Product Recommendations: Stock up on organic pest control products like Ludwig’s Organic Insect Spray+ or Biogrow Bioneen neem oil. We also carry a variety of chemical insecticides for larger pest problems.
3. Slow or No Growth: A Sign of Stagnation
If your houseplants aren’t growing as expected, it could be due to various factors.
- Inadequate Light: Plants require sufficient light to photosynthesize and grow.
- Nutrient Deficiency: Lack of essential nutrients can hinder growth.
- Root-Boundness: If the roots are tightly packed in the pot, they may not be able to absorb enough water and nutrients.
Solutions:
- Adjust Lighting: Move your plants to a location with brighter light.
- Fertilisation: Use a balanced houseplant fertiliser during the growing season.
- Repotting: If the plant is root-bound, repot it into a larger pot with fresh soil.
- Product Recommendation: Nitrosol Organiksol is a great all-round fertiliser that promotes healthy growth.
4. Brown Leaf Tips: A Common Issue
Brown leaf tips can be caused by several factors, including:
- Overwatering: Excess moisture can lead to root rot and brown leaf tips.
- Underwatering: Insufficient water can also cause brown leaf tips.
- Low Humidity: Some plants require higher humidity levels, and low humidity can cause brown tips.
Solutions:
- Adjust Watering: Ensure the soil is not too wet or too dry (use a wooden skewer to test the moisture level of your soil: insert a wooden skewer into the soil and remove it after a few minutes, if the stick feels moist and has soil sticking to it your soil is moist enough; otherwise you can top up your soil with some water).
- Increase Humidity: Mist your plants regularly or use a humidifier.
- Product Recommendation: Try a pebble tray underneath the pot to help maintain the right humidity levels.
5. Leggy Growth: A Sign of Stretching
Leggy growth occurs when plants stretch towards the light due to insufficient light.
Solutions:
- Increase Light Exposure: Move the plant to a location with brighter light.
- Pruning: Prune away leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.
- Product Recommendation: Try a hanging basket, which allows you to hang your plant closer to windows if you don’t have enough shelf space on the window sill).
6. Root Rot: A Serious Problem
Root rot is a serious condition caused by overwatering and poor drainage.
Solutions:
- Remove Affected Roots: Carefully remove any rotten roots and repot the plant into fresh, well-draining soil.
- Improve Drainage: Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes and use a well-draining potting mix.
By understanding these common houseplant problems and their solutions, you can take proactive steps to keep your plants healthy and thriving. Remember, prevention is key, so inspect your plants regularly and address any issues promptly. Our helpful team at Landscape Art Garden Centre is here to help – feel free to contact us or pop by to chat about issues you are facing with your houseplants.
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