Houseplants SOS

Do you check the soil before you water it? If you don’t, you could be over or underwatering your plants. Both are problematic. Here’s why:

 

UNDERWATERING –  Wilting plants; dry soil; crispy leaf tips; slow growth. 

If you suspect your plant is suffering from underwatering you can help bring it back to life by placing the pot in a sink and submersing the pot in water.  Let the water really soak in to completely saturate the roots. Once it has soaked for about 15 minutes, remove it from the water,  and let the water drain out of the bottom of the pot making sure it is not sitting in water.

 

OVERWATERING – Root damage; yellow or brown foliage. 

Overwatering houseplants limits the plant’s ability to breathe and they begin to drown and can cause irreversible damage to the roots. The plant likely has root rot if you notice grey, brown, slimy roots.

 

It is possible to salvage your plant from root rot by repotting. First you will need to trim back the damaged roots, treat with a fungicide solution, dispose of the original soil, and repot in a clean sterile pot with fresh soil.

 

The best way to prevent poorly watering your plants is to use a moisture meter. Using a moisture meter takes the guesswork out of watering.

 

HOW TO SPOT: Leaves are pale green or yellow; smaller leaves with new growth; leggy stems; damp soil that does not dry and slow growth.

 

Always check the information tag that comes with your plant to make sure you are choosing the best lighting conditions for your plant to thrive. If your plant is experiencing any of these symptoms, move it closer to a south facing window or light source.

 

HOW TO SPOT: Burnt leaves that turn yellow or white

 

Certain plants enjoy direct sunlight, but if left for long periods of time it can be too much for the plant and actually cause significant damage to the leaves.

 

If you suspect your plant has been burned, remove it from the direct sunlight to give it a break. Make sure it is properly watered and clip off any dead or damaged leaves. If it is a plant that requires high light remember to keep it in a bright spot, but to not allow it to sit in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

HOW TO SPOT: Roots are coming out the bottom of the pot; plant is very top heavy; soil dries out very quickly.  

 

If your houseplants are slowing growth and drying out quickly, it is likely time to repot. For most houseplants, this is every two to three years – this will vary depending on the plant type and its growing space.

 

When choosing a new pot always select a container two to four inches wider and taller than the current pot if repotting.

 

HOW TO SPOT: Slow growth; wilted leaves. 

 

Plant roots need a snug space. If a plant is placed into an oversized pot the roots will be surrounded by too much soil and when watered they will remain wet for too long and get root rot.

 

Always size up your pots gradually so they have a chance to grow at the appropriate rate for the pot size.

HOW TO SPOT: Crusty soil surface; burned or blackened roots; yellow or wilted lower leaves; defoliation. 

 

Fertilizer is one of the most overlooked aspects to plant care and while it can be a helpful tool to help keep our plants healthy, too much of a good thing will have poor results.

 

If you suspect your plant may be over fertilized, here are some suggestions to help save your plant:

• Scoop out any excess fertilizer from the soil surface but don’t take out all the soil or you will shock the plant.
• Remove any damage leaves.
• Leach the soil by giving the plant a good, long watering to drain the fertilizer from the roots. You may need to do this more than once to fully clean out the roots.
• The let the plant dry out completely over the next week or two before watering,
• Don’t fertilize until plant has started to show signs of improvement.

HOW TO SPOT: Your plant is covered in dust!

 

Indoor plants do not receive natural rainfall to remove dirt and dust from the foliage of plants. So like furniture, out plants can accumulate dust which will limit how your plant breaths.

 

To clean your plants you can mist the plant leaves with water and then gently wipe clean with a damp cloth. Doing this once a month will keep your plants breathing and also help to prevents pests.

HOW TO SPOT: Water drains to quickly when watering and is not retaining in the soil; slow growth; soil is firm to touch 

 

When it comes time to change the soil always use a good quality potting soil that is formulated for indoor house plants. Never use soil from your outside garden.

HOW TO SPOT: Changes in leaf colour and texture; misshaped leaves; 

You may notice some spots or specks on the plants leaves and while a few bugs are not likely to cause much damage, you will want to keep an eye on the plant to make sure it does not spread to other plants.

 

Common houseplants pests can include:

• aphids
• fungus gnats
• mealy bugs
• spider mites
• whiteflies

 

Sometimes it is hard to know where the pests originate, but can often occur when moving plants from outside to inside.

• When you suspect a houseplant pest, spray your plants with insecticidal soap and then rinse with plain water.
• Always inspect your plants when transferring from outside settings to inside.
• If you suspect your plant may have pests it is best to quarantine it from other plants until treated to avoid spreading to other plants.

HOW TO SPOT: Wilting, drooping leaves; brown leaves that look burned; slow growth

 

Plants enjoy getting indirect sunlight from a windowsill, but will not take too kindly to being exposed to continual cool drafts. Drafts are a common occurrence in winter months so if you suspect your plant may be ailing as a result, move it away from drafty windows, air vents or radiators.

Our knowledgeable garden experts are always happy to provide helpful tips and suggestions for you indoor tropical houseplants. Visit any one our garden centre locations for a wide selection of tropical plants, pots and indoor plant accessories.