7 Common Houseplant Problems and Solutions

What are Common Houseplant Problems?

Keeping houseplants comes with its problems and challenges. Though most problems with indoor plants are environmental (i.e. light, water, temperature, etc), knowing their exact cause can help you win half the battle.

Indoor plant problems require utmost care and attention and doing so can prevent any significant damage in the future. Most indoor plant problems are common and are faced by everyone so their solutions are quite simple and easy.

Common Houseplant problems and solutions.

So here are 7 most common houseplant problems and solutions –

Browning Leaf Tips

Plant leaves or foliage can turn brown due to several reasons though the most common is irregular watering or a low humid environment.

Inconsistent watering or a low amount of water can cause a deficiency of water in the roots resulting in the browning of leaves. Even if you are watering regularly, problems can occur in the roots of the plant.

Solutions:

• Water regularly: Watering plants regularly can solve this problem and prevent more leaves from turning brown. Keeping the plant in a more humid location can also help.
• Check root damage: If the problem still prevails, there can be something wrong with the roots of the plant. Maybe the roots are constricted and are unable to acquire water.

Yellow Leaves

Plant leaves turning yellow is one the most common houseplant problems and can occur for many reasons though some of the most common ones are too much light or too little light, too little nutrients, etc. Aging can also be another reason for the yellowing of leaves because older plants wither as a result of the natural aging process.

Solutions:

• Change plant location: Change the plant’s location to a place with just enough sunlight. A place with indirect sunlight would be more beneficial.
• Check soil nutrients: Check nutrient levels in the soil as there a maybe a deficiency of certain nutrients which are causing the yellowing of the leaves.

Wilting or Burnt Leaves

Burnt leaves (aka leaf scorch) are another common houseplant problem. Many factors can be involved in this problem, it could be due to sun damage, insufficient watering, fertilizer damage, etc.

Solutions:

• Check fertilizers: If you notice burns on the plant after adding fertilizers then you may want to check the dosage or the quality of the fertilizer. Also, clean the soil with water to remove any accumulated fertilizer.
• Change location: Yellowing of leaves also occurs if your plant is receiving too much light, changing its location to a more suitable environment could help.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a white substance that appears on the leaves, stems, or flowers of plants. It is a common houseplant problem that is caused by fungal infections.

Fungi thrive in dry climates but they also need a considerable amount of humidity so this problem is most common for indoor plants, especially in summer and autumn.

Solutions:

• Air circulation: Improving the airflow around the plant can help to eradicate the humidity and prevent fungus from forming.
• Fungicides: The use of appropriate fungicides is suggested in the treatment of powdery mildew.

Leaf Dropping

Another common indoor plant issue is when a plant starts to drop leaves one of the major reasons for this is shock. Apart from that seasonal changes or a change in weather conditions can be another reason for leaf dropping.

Solution:

• Consistent Conditions: One way to solve this indoor plant issue is to keep the plant in consistent environmental conditions to prevent any shock to the plant.

Stretched Plant

A common indoor plant issue occurs when a plant’s stems become stretched or thin. You can check if the plant is trying to reach a light source by sending out thin stretched stems toward the light source. This can also occur when only one side of the plant is getting sufficient light.

Solutions:

• Providing sufficient light: Placing the plant in a place where it gets sufficient sunlight is the ideal way to prevent the plant from stretching. Make sure to rotate the plant so all of its sides can get the light and prevent lopsided growth.
• Use grow light: If you can’t find a suitable location for the plant then investing in a grow light can be helpful.

Too many leaves but no blooms

The main cause of this indoor plant problem is nutrient imbalance. Improper N.P.K (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) amounts can cause plants to grow excessive leaves but no fruits or flowers.

The plant might grow large and healthy but it will have no blooms. Nutrient imbalance can cause poor pollination and flower formation.

Solutions:

• Test the soil: Testing the soil regularly for various nutrients is necessary for a healthy plant. You should also research the types of soils and nutrient requirements for your plant.
• Use Fertilizers: Using all-purpose fertilizers can help the soil in replenishing nutrients and prevent plants from growing only leaves. Keep in mind to not use excessive fertilizers as they can damage soil and halt plant growth.

Conclusion