A beautiful, fresh, greenish plant is often the ornamental touch that is missing inside a house to complete the decoration. It brings a real lush and tropical character to the home, thus inviting a change of scenery and rejuvenation. But it is not only decorative: most indoor plants are depolluting and purifying. They help us purify the air we breathe and flush out all toxins. Finally, having a plant at home is also a guarantee of offering guests moments of calm and tranquility. Certain plants, recommended by the art of Feng Shui, are even classified as anti-stress. But obviously, plants are not eternal: before considering installing them at home, it is important to learn how to properly maintain them as we will see through the advice of Martin Lebihan, Gardener in Finistère. Because if you don’t take care of it properly or if you make certain fatal mistakes, after a few weeks or even a few months, your plant risks suffering terribly. Its leaves can turn yellow and fall off, its roots can rot, and without warning, your plant can die overnight.
All plants have an inherent desire to survive. However, even if they seem robust and resistant to you, they are not immune to certain accidental errors which end up killing them. We have selected around fifteen: remember them carefully to take the necessary measures and avoid causing irreparable damage as much as possible.
1. Too much water
Ask any gardener or florist: they will tell you that the No. 1 enemy of houseplants is none other than excess water. Of course, plants are not alike, they do not all have the same water needs. But generally speaking, too much watering as much as a significant lack of water is fatal to the lifespan of a plant. Lack of water is never dramatic, on the other hand, disproportionate and exaggerated watering causes terrible symptoms: the roots rot, the leaves turn yellow and soften quickly, parasites attack the plant more and it may not survive.
2. Low irrigation
Certainly, the lack of water is not catastrophic in itself, it can cause occasional stress to the plants and lead to drying out, but it only takes a few days of watering for the plant to regain its colors and strength. However, if you wait too long and your plant doesn’t get enough water, the roots may wilt, its leaves turn yellow or dry out. Although plants do not like to have a substrate that is too humid, drought is not the best living condition either.
3. Not enough space for growth
Like children, plants go through periods of growth spurts. Once they grow bigger and more imposing, it is necessary to change their current pot. Because they will not be able to continue to grow properly: they therefore have the impression of suffocating as if they were “canned”. Hence the importance of repotting. When you place the plant in a larger pot, it can then grow more quickly, promote beautiful, abundant flowering and feel more fulfilled.
4. Using the wrong soil
Compost, fertilizer, potting soil, manure, you absolutely must familiarize yourself with all these gardening terms. While outdoor plants need a specific type of soil, this is also the case for indoor plants. You should not go on an adventure and risk using just any potting soil. Make sure the soil is ideal for your houseplant. Typically, you will be provided with the necessary instructions at the time of purchase. Most of the time, a so-called “universal” potting soil is the most appropriate for the majority of indoor plants, but some plants may be more attracted to acidic or very draining soil. It is therefore better to find out more about the issue.
5. Providing the wrong lighting levels
Again, like soil or watering, plants have different needs in terms of light. But whatever happens, light remains vital for most of them. However, you need to have as much information about the plant as possible to clearly define its needs: those that require a lot of light must be installed near windows to receive sunlight (but without too much direct exposure either), or even artificial light if your interior is not bright enough. And if your plant doesn’t require much, it’s better to move it away from the window or filter the light through a curtain. REMEMBER THIS: a lack of lighting risks wilting the plant, its leaves can turn yellow, become pale or even fall prematurely. Conversely, overexposure to light can deform the leaves, turning them brown and drying them out.
6. Exposure to extreme temperatures
You should know that the roots of your indoor plants are very sensitive to extreme weather changes. While outdoor temperatures can rise above 75°F (23°C) without harming plants in the garden, this is often not the case for houseplants. Especially when air humidity and sunlight are not available in accordance with natural outdoor conditions. As they generally originate from tropical climates, the plants flourish fully in an environment whose temperatures range between 18 and 24 °C.
7. Providing the Wrong Humidity Levels
A lack of humidity can be fatal for your houseplants. Therefore, certain signs should alert you: the edges of the leaves are curling or turning brown, the tips of the new leaves are dry, the buds are also turning brown or falling off. As soon as you notice all these effects, then you will need to turn on the humidifier or try another way to naturally humidify your home. As we said above, ideally it would be good to maintain a temperature around 18°C. You can also opt for clay balls to put in the pots to bring more humidity into the air. A mister will also do the trick on the foliage.
8. Not using the right amount of fertilizer
Properly feeding your plants to keep them beautiful and healthy is essential. It’s no secret that they need three main nutrients to grow healthily: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Certainly, if light and watering remain fundamental parameters for the survival of plants, a lack of fertilizer risks slowing down growth and you will not benefit from abundant flowering. We must therefore ensure that we provide them with sufficient nutrients so that they can flourish in the most optimal conditions.
9. Sunburn
It is always an excellent initiative to move your plants outside, especially on the terrace during the summer, so that they can enjoy the sunny days. But be careful: plants that are suddenly moved from a shady location to a location with more sunlight are particularly susceptible. This transition must therefore be done gradually. Because excess sunlight risks burning the leaves. Excessively exposed foliage can then discolor and turn brown. So act with caution and opt instead for semi-shaded places to avoid too direct exposure.
10. Ignoring Instructions
What is the best way to prevent a houseplant from dying too quickly? Simply read and follow the care instructions carefully!
11. Neglecting size
Pruning is far from trivial, it is even a necessary step to harmonize the shape of the plant and eliminate leaves that grow poorly or are too gnawed by insects. It is therefore important to cut off any dead stems or branches, as they attract fungi. Likewise, remove brown or yellow leaves that rot and lead to disease. Including pest infestations that can ultimately kill the plant or even contaminate other houseplants.
12. Frequent moving
Here’s a cause of stress that many people overlook: when your plant thrives in an area that’s particularly suited to temperature, lighting and humidity levels, moving it may disrupt it and potentially harm its health. Better to decide on a suitable location once and for all!
13. Ignore Pests
Mealybugs, red spiders, aphids, midges and fleas. Be aware that your indoor plants inexorably attract all kinds of unwanted insects and parasites that feed on them. Which can lead to fungi and diseases, often responsible for the death of your plants. You must not neglect this problem: it is necessary to regularly check the health of your plants and use powerful pesticides to keep all these parasites away. If you are hostile to chemicals, there are many natural remedies based on ingredients that you probably already have at home, such as Marseille soap, essential oils, white vinegar, black soap or baking soda. These homemade solutions will make excellent insecticides!
14. Letting your pets mistreat them
It’s difficult to get pets to coexist with your houseplants. Cats and dogs alike love to chew and destroy green leaves. Did you think you were responsible for the death of your pretty plant quietly installed in the living room? What if it was the work of your four-legged pet? Unless you educate it well so that it stops tormenting your plants, you absolutely must resort to an effective solution to prevent this dangerous proximity. Some tips are available to you: you can place your plants high up so that they are not accessible to your animals or behind an imposing piece of furniture. You can also, from time to time, mist everything around with an unpleasant scent that would repel your dog or cat. For example, if you rely on a natural repellent, coffee grounds are infallible. Sprinkle it around your plants and be sure that your cat won’t come near it again!
NB : moreover, before considering installing a plant at home, if you have pets, be sure to make the right choice. Some plants are toxic to hairballs!
15. Giving up too soon
Don’t be too hard on yourself and don’t throw in the towel too quickly either. Setbacks and accidents are part of life. Everyone goes through bad times and plants are no exception. Even if they have suffered the ill effects of overwatering, sunburn or aphid attack, as long as the plant still has a breath of life, there is a chance to revive it. Don’t consider getting rid of it too soon. You just need to prune it well by removing all the diseased leaves or wilted flowers. Follow the advice cited above, arm yourself with patience and your plant will rise from its ashes.
