Expert Advice: How to Save Your Dying Houseplant
Photo by Mimi Giboin
Photo by John Merkl
How can I tell if I am overwatering?
Yellow leaves with moist soil and fungus are all signs of overwatering.
Photo by John Merkl
Succulents generally like to be dry.
Photo by Mimi Giboin
Water your plant when leaves start to look droopy, or fall off.
Photo by Mimi Giboin
How can I tell if my plant needs more or less sun?
Blanched leaves can be a sign that plants are getting too much sun.
Photo by Michelle Slatalla
Plants that are not getting enough light may get spindly and stretched out or start dropping leaves.
Photo by John Merkl
What is the right amount of fertilizer?
Too much: Look for salt burn, and black and brown leaves. Too little: your plant stops thriving
Photo by Meredith Swinehart
A too-small pot may cause an otherwise healthy plant to stop growing.
Photo by Mimi Giboin
How can I tell if my plant needs more humidity?
Crisped leaves are a telltale sign that your plant is craving a more humid environment
Photo by John Merkl
Misting can help if it's done regularly, but as soon as the mist dries, the effect is gone.
Photo by Mimi Giboin
What can I do if I see bugs?
1. wash the plant with warm water 2. wipe the plant down 3. follow up with a spray of horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Photo by Mimi Giboin
Where do I find more information about caring for my houseplant?
Often, the tags that come with your plant are useless. A better bet is to ask the nursery you're buying from, or send a question (with photo) to your local botanic garden.
Photo by Erin Boyle
How can I tell if my plant is dead or salvageable?
If it's brown or looks dead, it's probably dead. However, some woody plants, like the rubber tree and the fiddle-leaf fig, can recover even if they've died back to the stalk.