Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The music you play at home can affect how your plants grow

The music you play at home can affect how your plants grow

Air purifying plants: 20 of the best for your home

Air purifying plants: 20 of the best for your home

The indoor plant delivery service you need to know about in 2020

The indoor plant delivery service you need to know about in 2020

The rare collectable houseplant selling for $300 in stores

The rare collectable houseplant selling for $300 in stores

{headline}

{headline}

How to know when your plant needs to be re-potted

How to know when your plant needs to be re-potted

How to care for your indoor plants in winter

How to care for your indoor plants in winter

Seven of the best bathroom plants

Seven of the best bathroom plants

{headline}

{headline}

How to add potted colour to your home

How to add potted colour to your home

The ultimate guide to Australian native flowers

The ultimate guide to Australian native flowers

How to grow plants in water in 5 easy steps

How to grow plants in water in 5 easy steps

8 brightly coloured house plants to spruce up your home

8 brightly coloured house plants to spruce up your home

5 reasons why your terrarium is dying

5 reasons why your terrarium is dying

This pot will tell you when your plant needs sun or water

This pot will tell you when your plant needs sun or water

When to pick passionfruit and the best way to do it

When to pick passionfruit and the best way to do it

  1. Home
  2. Garden

Common indoor plant problems and how to solve them

Because sometimes growing plants is hard. - by Laura Barry
  • 24 Apr 2019
Common indoor plant problems and how to solve them

We love indoor plants. Plants look great, they improve air quality, increase our wellbeing and are great for the environment. Admiring an excellent selection of indoor plants from afar is one thing, but as it turns out, keeping an array of indoor plants happy and healthy all by yourself is not as easy as one would think.

The key to successful indoor gardening is paying close attention to how your plants grow and react to different levels of water and light.

Leaves that turn brown

If the edges of your leaves are turning brown it could be due to too little water or dry air. Try watering a little more often, and give it a spritz with water now and then.

Leaves that look burnt

If your indoor plant is located in a spot where it’s getting the full afternoon sun (such as a bright window) it could be too much harsh sunlight. Move it somewhere brightly lit, but out of the direct line of midday sun.

Lopsided foliage

Some plants will grow and stretch towards the brightest light in the room, making it heavy on one side. If this is happening, be sure to rotate the plant regularly for more even growth.

man watering indoor plants
Getty
Autumn flowers and vegies

Leaves that turn yellow

Older leaves turning yellow and brown with age that dropping from the plant after some time are normal, but if new growth is turning yellow it could be a sign off too much sunlight. Move it to a spot with slightly less sun and monitor any changes.  

Leaves are falling off your plant

This can be either too much or too little water. As a rule of thumb, only water the plant when the top two inches of soil is dry.

Curling or wilting leaves

Leaves can curl and wilt when the plant is dehydrated or in a low-humidity environment. Try watering a little more often and spritzing the plant with a water mister.

woman tending to indoor plants
Getty

Other tips for indoor plant care

  • Keep the foliage of your plants dust-free
  • Pot your plant in a pot that’s just a tiny smidge bigger than necessary. Too big and you could end up with root rot and other problems.
  • Ensure your pots have adequate drainage
  • Research each plant before you buy it and ensure you can provide the correct light and water conditions for optimal growth. Keep the plant tags for future reference.
  • Water directly into the soil, not over the leaves.
  • Only water when the top two inches of soil are dry
  • Be careful when fertilising, as a fertiliser mixture that is too strong can burn the plant, resulting in browning and burnt leaves. Go for a weak mixture over a strong mixture.

You might also like:

10 of the best low light indoor plants 

10 of the best house plants 

8 brightly coloured house plants to spruce up your home 

Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The music you play at home can affect how your plants grow

The music you play at home can affect how your plants grow

Air purifying plants: 20 of the best for your home

Air purifying plants: 20 of the best for your home

The indoor plant delivery service you need to know about in 2020

The indoor plant delivery service you need to know about in 2020

The rare collectable houseplant selling for $300 in stores

The rare collectable houseplant selling for $300 in stores

{headline}

{headline}

How to know when your plant needs to be re-potted

How to know when your plant needs to be re-potted

How to care for your indoor plants in winter

How to care for your indoor plants in winter

Seven of the best bathroom plants

Seven of the best bathroom plants

{headline}

{headline}

How to add potted colour to your home

How to add potted colour to your home

The ultimate guide to Australian native flowers

The ultimate guide to Australian native flowers

How to grow plants in water in 5 easy steps

How to grow plants in water in 5 easy steps

8 brightly coloured house plants to spruce up your home

8 brightly coloured house plants to spruce up your home

5 reasons why your terrarium is dying

5 reasons why your terrarium is dying

This pot will tell you when your plant needs sun or water

This pot will tell you when your plant needs sun or water

When to pick passionfruit and the best way to do it

When to pick passionfruit and the best way to do it

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Instyle
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!