When you look at images of thriving houseplants, it can be easy to think that the secret to success is a lot of light, water, and fertilizer. In fact, some people might tell you that’s all you need.
But in reality, there are many other factors involved with growing happy and healthy houseplants. With so much information available about how to care for houseplants, how do we know which advice is accurate?
Why are some people able to keep their plants thriving while others struggle? There are several reasons why your houseplants aren’t thriving. You may be doing something wrong or not giving them the right environment.
The details matter! Fortunately, these problems are easily fixable once you know what they are. Here are some common reasons why your houseplants aren’t thriving…
You’re watering them wrong
A healthy plant has plenty of access to water, yet is still able to retain some of the water so that it can use it later.
When a plant is thirsty, it will let you know by drooping or curling its leaves. If you notice signs that your plant is thirsty, water it immediately, but only give it as much water as it can use. If you water your plant too much, all of the water will be wasted and your plant will rot as a result. Your plant may also grow fungus if it’s sitting in water.
If you are watering your houseplant too much, you may see signs like yellow leaves and wilting. When this happens, your plant is in danger of dying, so you must stop watering it immediately.
Too much water can overwhelm the roots, preventing them from absorbing nutrients and minerals. This can lead to yellow leaves and even root death. Be careful not to over-water!
You’re feeding them the wrong way
Overfeeding is one of the most common mistakes people make while caring for indoor houseplants. You should only feed your plant when it’s actually low in nutrients. Houseplants are not like humans – they don’t need to eat every day. Most plants are best fed about once per month, but some may only need a feeding once every six months.
In addition, you shouldn’t feed your plants with the same thing all the time. Make sure to vary your fertilizer types every time you feed your plants, so that they don’t become dependent on one source of nutrients. If you feed your houseplant too much, you could end up with a fat, unhealthy plant. A fat plant is more likely to droop, wilt, and ultimately die than a plant that is getting just enough food. So be careful not to overfeed!
They don’t have enough light
Depending on what type of houseplant you have, it may need a lot of light or very little light. Houseplants that need a lot of light include African violets and orchids, while low-light houseplants include peace lilies and philodendrons.
If you have low-light plants and you aren’t providing them with enough light, you’ll notice that they become thin, spindly, and droopy. You should try to choose low-light houseplants in the first place, but if you have a low-light plant and want it to thrive, then you’ll need to provide artificial light.
The humidity is too low
This issue is most common with tropical houseplants, but it can affect other plants too. If your plant’s leaves are curling, turning yellow or brown, wilting, or growing slowly, then the humidity may be too low.
Humidity levels below 40% can cause brown spots to appear on leaves, spider mites to appear, or other pests to take up residence in your plant. In some cases, low humidity can actually cut off the flow of water to the roots, killing the plant. You can use a humidifier to increase the humidity level in your home.
Filling a bucket with water and putting it near your plants can also help. However, you must take care not to over-water your plants. If you raise the humidity too much, the soil will stay wet for longer and lead to root rot.
There’s too much pollution in the air
Air pollution, especially carbon dioxide, can cause your plants to droop and become unhealthy. Even if the pollution isn’t touching your plants, it’s still having a negative effect on them.
If you can open your windows and turn off the furnace whenever possible, then your houseplants will be happier. You can also try to grow plants in open pots, which will let them receive more fresh air.
You can also try to grow plants that are better at dealing with pollution, such as spider plants and philodendrons.
Your plant is the wrong type for your home
Certain plants are better for specific environments than others. If you have an indoor plant that needs high humidity and your home is very dry, then you will have trouble growing that plant indoors.
If you have a plant that requires a lot of light and you keep it in a low-light area, then it will struggle to survive. Before you buy a houseplant, make sure you know what its needs are so that it has the best chance of thriving in your home.
You must provide a healthy environment for your houseplants to thrive. While some plants thrive in lower light conditions, others need more light. Some plants need high humidity while others do better in dry areas.
Houseplants are a great way to add natural beauty and fresh air to your home. With the right care, they can be enjoyed for years to come. Now that you know why your houseplants aren’t thriving, you’re ready to turn things around and give them the happy home they deserve.
With the right watering techniques, fertilizer schedule, temperature, humidity and light, these plants will thrive and thrive.
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