It happens to the best of us. One day your indoor plant is thriving, and the next, it’s wilting, dropping leaves, or turning yellow. Before you throw it in the compost bin, there's a good chance it can be saved!
Step 1: Diagnose the Problem
The first step to reviving a dying plant is figuring out what went wrong. The two most common culprits are overwatering and underwatering.
- Signs of overwatering: Yellowing leaves, soft and mushy stems, foul-smelling soil, and fungus gnats.
- Signs of underwatering: Crispy, dry, or brown leaf tips, drooping stems, and soil that is pulling away from the sides of the pot.
Step 2: Act Quickly
If you suspect overwatering, you need to check for root rot. Gently pull the plant out of its pot. Healthy roots are firm and white or tan, while rotten roots are dark, mushy, and smelly. Snip away any rotting roots with sterilized scissors and repot in fresh, dry soil.
If underwatering is the issue, give the plant a deep soak. Place the pot in a bowl of water for 30 minutes to allow the soil to soak up moisture from the bottom (bottom watering).
Step 3: Check Lighting and Humidity
Sometimes, watering isn't the issue. If your plant is getting too much direct sunlight, its leaves might look scorched or bleached. Move it a few feet away from the window. Conversely, if it's stretching towards the light and losing lower leaves, it needs a brighter spot.
Step 4: Use the PlantID App
Still not sure what's wrong? You can use our free AI plant identifier to snap a picture of your sick plant. Our AI can often spot signs of specific diseases or pests that human eyes might miss!