Perhaps it was thriving for a bit, but recently, your beloved plant has turned brown or its leaves have started to droop, and you just can’t figure out why it happened or how to save it. Don’t give up just yet, here’s a couple of ways to help give that plant another lease on life!
#1 Water or Not to Water
Not too little, not too much, but just right. The amount of water a plant needs depends on its origins, if your plant originates from desert (cactus), it will not need as much watering as one that originates from the tropics (hibiscus). It is all about getting some research done and finding a balance.
Too little water: Water it slowly until the soil starts to feel damp again, when it does, place the pot in a shallow plate of water for 10 minutes.
Too much water: Keep it away from direct sunlight, skip watering for a day or two and after which, water the plant lightly.
#2 Sunlight
If plants are over-exposed to sunlight, they will have dried and yellowish-brown leaves. To save it, trim the dead leaves and move them to an area that does not get direct sunlight or indoors and near a window. On the other hand, plants that do not receive enough sunlight will have lifeless green leaves that droop. In this event, move them to an area that gets more sunlight or next to the window.
#3 Re-potting
Plant does not seem to be growing any larger or its roots are poking out of the drainage holes? Time to re-pot the little baby!
The plant which you brought home 6-months or a year ago has most definitely grown and matured, which means it just needs more space to grow. The new pot should be wide and tall enough to hold 1 to 2 inches of soil around the plant’s roots, this would allow water to sit for a bit before draining.
#4 Fertilizer
Plants are just like humans, we all need a little nutritional boost sometimes. If you notice that its stems are limp and leaves are discolored, this would be an indication that your plant may need some fertilizer. To prevent under or over-fertilizing, it is best to use slow-release fertilizers and follow the instructions on the label closely.
Plants are pretty hardy and only require 3 things to thrive, water, sunlight and essential nutrients (from the soil or fertilizer) – how much depends on the type of plant. So, when a plant is showing signs of distress (turning yellow, dropping leaves, drooping, etc.) it just means that they may be receiving too much or too little of one component, and not necessarily dead.
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