What’s wrong with my houseplant? Find Out & Win!

As nights draw in and we all start hugging the house, our attention inevitably turns to our plants indoors. So I thought, I’d devote my last blog of 2021 to answering the question I find myself asking a lot …what’s wrong with my houseplant?

I have to confess, I’m no houseplant expert. I have some lovely indoor plants, and they are thriving. But their success is more down to luck than judgement. Indeed there are plenty of indoor plants I’ve killed over the years. So to help me I’ve asked the experts at Plantsmith to provide the advice.

And there are 3 Fantastic Plant Care Gift Sets to Win!

As it’s Christmas, Plantsmith have not only come up with the most common answers to “what’s wrong with my houseplant?” But they’ve provided three of their wonderful Houseplant Care Gift Sets for me to give away to three lucky readers…so read on! Plant advice and prizes – what could be better!

What’s wrong with my houseplant – it’s dying!

First up, they say that if you first spot an indoor plant in distress don’t automatically reach for the watering can. Oh dear, I’ve definitely done this only to really kill the plant off with my ‘kindness’!

The experts at Plantsmith very sensibly point out that while dryness at the roots is sometimes the cause of problems, it isn’t always. In fact giving plants a good drink can sometimes do more harm than good, depending on what is wrong. So pause, and take a look at the symptoms. Here are the most common ones…

The leaves are dropping off

Some plants are more prone to sudden leaf loss than others. This includes the weeping fig, croton and fiddle leaf fig. One of the main reasons for a houseplant unexpectedly dropping leaves is shock. Perhaps you have moved it from a warm spot to somewhere cooler. Or as part of reorganising things you’ve moved a plant from a shadier position to somewhere much lighter. Maybe it’s in a draughty location and before it was in a lovely sheltered spot.

Alternatively, you may have given the plants a quick summer airing. I definitely do this. I feel I’m giving them a bit of freedom – as if they’re an animal that’s being allowed to run around outside for a bit! Ridiculous I know, but that’s what’s sort of in my head! There’s nothing wrong with doing this. But to a plant which has spent most of its life indoors, this sudden injection of fresh air is a shock. So much so that many rebel when they are placed outside for a summer airing by losing some leaves.

Solution

Although losing leaves feels dramatic, the people at Plantsmith are reassuring. They say that leaf loss is usually a temporary state of affairs. Most plants will make a full recovery once they get used to the change of location. But to avoid it in the future, try to avoid unnecessary movement of plants from one place to another.

Note – shock is often the reason by poinsettias fail – they hate sudden plunges in temperature. So if you’re specifically looking for poinsettia advice, check out this blog

What’s wrong with my houseplant – the leaves and stems are wilting?

There are several reasons why a houseplant might lose its mojo and start wilting. It could be overwatering or exposure to too much heat. However, Plantsmith say the most likely cause is that the roots are dry due to lack of moisture. To check simply poke your finger into the compost. Don’t dabble around on the surface, go up to your first knuckle, is it dry down at that point?

Solution

If it is, it will need to be thoroughly wetted. Water will sometimes run through completely dry compost if you apply from above. So stand the container in a bowl of water and allow it to be taken up from below. This will take a bit of time, be patient. You will know the plant has had a proper drink when the surface is visibly damp. Then, remove the plant from the bowl and stand on a saucer to drain.

To avoid this problem moving forwards, water plants regularly during the growing season, and less so in winter.

My houseplant isn’t growing

What’s wrong with my houseplant? It just isn’t growing. I’ve lamented this a lot. Plantsmith’s experts suggest there’s a process of elimination to this one. If you are watering and feeding the plant regularly during the growing season, and it’s growing slowly or not at all, then the chances are that it is pot-bound. This means the plant’s mass of roots have taken up most of the available space in the container.

According to Plantsmith, another sign of a houseplant being pot-bound is if its compost dries out quickly. Gosh writing this makes me think this is definitely a potential problem with a few of my plants! Their compost does dry out quickly. Then again I have underfloor heating, and my plants are standing on the floor. I’ve always assumed that’s the cause of the dryness. But it could be their containers are a bit too small. Oh dear, you really need to be Miss Marple to solve some of these indoor plant conundrums! I’ll have to investigate further.

Solution

Anyway, if your plant isn’t growing and you’ve narrowed down the problem to it being pot-bound, move the plant into a slightly larger container. Note the word ‘slightly’. Don’t go mad with the upsizing. You are not being kind putting a plant into a much much larger pot. Move it up one size.

When you do this, slide the root ball out of its original pot and tease out some of the congested roots. This will enable the roots to penetrate the surrounding compost in their new pot.

To prevent this problem keep a close eye on plants. Are roots growing out of the drainage holes in the base? Is more frequent watering required? These are the tell tale signs that it’s time to repot them. Be proactive. Many plants are happy to be re-potted in spring on an annual basis, while fast-growing houseplants might need potting several times during the growing season.

What’s wrong with my houseplant, the leaves are turning yellow

It’s perfectly natural for the odd leaf at the bottom of a plant to turn yellow and fall off. That’s just part of the ageing and growing process. But, if several leaves turn yellow all at once that’s a different matter. “Houston, you have a problem.”

Leaves may start to turn yellow if a plant is getting insufficient light. So check the light conditions required for your plant. However, the most likely problem causing lots of yellow leaves is overwatering. Check for this by pushing your finger into the compost.

Solution

It’s all too easy for overwatering to happen.

After all, unlike on our patios, we can’t water with wild abandon and let the residue flow onto our carpets. (Well to be honest I would, but I think Mr F-W would object). So we have our plants sitting in saucers or use decorative pot covers. But with these, there’s a risk that excess water stores there. This leaves the plant sitting in water all the time.

To avoid the problem allow the compost to dry out thoroughly before giving the plant another drink. This isn’t being cruel. It’s not a pet that needs its drinking bowl constantly topped up!

The bad news is that unfortunately, some plants never recover from being overwatered as the roots will have started to rot. So to prevent this problem learn the watering requirements of your specific plants – different plants have different needs. Make sure you water correctly. It’s best to water in the morning, rather than in the evening. To prevent water-logging, make sure you pot up plants with good quality, free-draining compost. Also after watering, make sure you remove any excess water collected in those saucers.

I’ve brown spots on the leaves of my houseplant

Brown spots can be a sign that your plant is getting too much sunlight. I have a big issue with this as my houseplants are in my sitting room which has glass on two sides and in the ceiling! It’s a joy to sit in – for me – but probably a bit much for some of my plants. So I have to strategically position the plants. I shield them from the bulk of the light by putting them behind sofas and in the room’s gloomier corners.

This same problem of brown spots will also usually happen if a plant is on a sunny windowsill. If you think about it, the sunlight is literally magnified. This results in scorch-like damage. If you have leaf tips turning brown on your plant and you’re wondering ‘what’s wrong with my houseplant’, the answer again may be too much sunlight.

Solution

The answer is an obvious one. Move the houseplant to a position where it’s not in direct sunlight. If the damaged leaves are marring the beauty of your plant feel free to snip them off. Just take care not to alter the shape of the plant. Otherwise, wait until the damaged growth naturally falls off and is replaced by lovely, lush, fresh foliage.

To avoid this problem moving forwards, understand your houseplants. Shade loving plants or those that like bright, but indirect light, are most likely to be scorched by the sun. So if you have one of these don’t kid yourself it will learn to be happy in a prominent window position. Research the conditions they thrive in and respect them. Make sure you give them the right amount of light.

So that’s it. Some answers to the question ‘what’s wrong with my houseplant?’ But before I sign off for Christmas, and to help you keep your plants in even better shape, it’s competition time!

Giveaway – 3 Houseplant Care Gift Sets to Win

Now the moment you’ve been waiting for! The lovely people at Plantsmith have given me three of their fab Houseplant Care Gift Sets to give away. Containing both a bottle of Houseplant Feed & Tonic and a bottle of Perfecting Houseplant Care Mist, this kit contains everything you need to keep your indoor greenery in top condition.

To be in with a chance of winning one of these gorgeous gift sets worth £29.99 simply subscribe to my blog by entering your email below. (If you are already a subscriber you don’t need to fill it in as you will be automatically entered into the giveaway.) Three winners will be randomly chosen. Good luck – and Happy Christmas! See you on January 2nd xx

The Giveaway Closes on 2nd January 2022 at 11.59pm (GMT) and it’s only open to UK entries

Competition Rules

This is a joint promotion by BloomingLucky.com and Plantsmith. Closing date is 2nd January 2022 at 11.59pm (GMT). Three winners will win one Houseplant Care Gift Set this is non-transferrable. This giveaway is open to UK residents aged 18 or over. Entrants must be a registered subscriber to the www.bloominglucky.com blog. To take part subscribe to the www.bloominglucky.com blog, this is the only mandatory task.

If you are already a subscriber you will be automatically entered into the draw. Only one entry per person. The three winners will be chosen at random from all correct entries. The winners will be informed by email within 7 days of the closing date, and must respond within 7 days to claim their prize. Winners names will be available upon request. This prize draw is governed by English law and the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising in connection with it.