Houseplants: one minute they’re thriving and the next they’re hanging on by a thread. Anyone who is the proud owner of indoor plants has almost certainly felt at mercy to their whims from time to time. There really is nothing worse than when their leaves droop, turn brown, or yellow and you’re left scratching your head wishing you knew what was wrong!
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Turns out, it could be a number of things – and we have listed them below.
To help keep your plants in the land of the living, here are some common mistakes you could be making.
1. Not choosing the right potting soil
The aim of potting mix is to hold moisture and nutrients around the roots of your plant. At the same time, the roots need to be able to breathe. When choosing a potting mix for a container, make sure it’s soilless, light, fluffy and made up of peat moss, pine bark and perlite or vermiculite.
Succulents and air plants prefer a dryer mix of potting soil combined with gravel or sand.
2. Not grooming your plants
Remove any dead flowers or leaves as soon as you notice them. Also, keep an eye out for any dust that has built up on the leaves and wipe clean with a damp sponge.
3. Overwatering them
Overwatering plants is a common way to kill a houseplant as it cuts off the air supply to the root. Overwatering can also lead to root rot. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage and as a rule: always check the moisture levels of the soil by sticking your finger in up to your knuckle.
Signs to look for include brown tips (but a limp feeling leaf), or stunted, slow growth accompanied by drooping yellow leaves.
How often your plants need watering will depend on the type, size of the pot and environmental factors.
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4. Not fertilising
Houseplants need nutrients. Purchase a balanced houseplant food and follow the instructions as over fertilising can also kill your plants.
5. Moving them around too much
Plants become accustomed to their surroundings, moving them means they will have to spend time adjusting to the light and temperature in their new spot.
6. Placing them in the wrong light
Read the label that comes with your plants and place them in light that suits their needs. That said, a plant will let you know if they aren’t happy. Too much light and the leaves could change colour – their leaves will likely get “singed”, have burnt patches, or even fall off.
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