Help for Your Struggling Houseplants

Yellow, brown, and wilted leaves on your houseplants can send you into a panic. Before giving up on the plants and indoor gardening, check out these common problems and make the needed changes to improve your indoor plants’ health. 

Start by reviewing each plant’s preferred growing conditions and the care you are providing. We often buy beautiful or unusual plants that are not always suited to the available light in our homes or the care we tend to provide. Then we place the plants where they look good or we have space but not in a location where they receive the amount of light they need. We often create a watering schedule that works for us but does not always meet the needs of each individual plant in our collection. There’s no need to feel guilty as we have all done this. Sometimes pushing the limits works and other times the plant just can’t cope, and we need to make some changes.

Poor Growth

Your plant may not be receiving enough light if you notice pale leaves, limited and often stunted new growth, long leggy stems and older leaves dropping off the plant. If this describes your struggling plant, consider moving it to a brighter location or add artificial lights.

If possible, place high light plants like cacti, other succulents, flowering plants and crotons within two feet of an east- or west- facing window.  Those of us gardening in the north may need to move our high light plants to a south facing window in the winter if they appear to need more light. Set low light plants like cast iron, philodendron, pothos, ZZ plant and parlor palms in front of a north-facing window or up to six feet back from or off to the side of an east- or west-facing window.

If you purchased more plants – it happens to us all – than available window space, rotate the plants between high and low light locations every few weeks.  Or supplement low light areas in your home with artificial lights. Remember to turn the plants regularly to encourage balanced growth.  

These are general guidelines and you need to evaluate your situation and the plant’s response to the growing location. Keep in mind shears, awnings, nearby buildings and trees can impact the light your indoor plants receive.  

When using artificial lights for your indoor foliage plants leave the lights on for no more than 12 to 14 hours and a bit longer, 14 to 16 hours, for flowering indoor plants. If supplementing natural daylight, try running the lights for 5 hours a day and adjust the timing as needed. Place the lights 12 to 24 inches above foliage plants and a bit closer, 6 to 12 inches, above flowering plants. Adjust the spacing as needed.

Yellow and Brown Leaves 

Evaluate your watering schedule if your plants’ leaves turn yellow and brown and the plant begins to wilt. These symptoms are typical of plants receiving too much or not enough water. Plants growing in bright sunlight, warm temperatures and fast draining soil tend to dry out faster than those in low light and cooler areas of your home.  And don’t overwater your plants to compensate for a lack of light.

Always water the soil thoroughly and pour off excess water that collects in the saucer. Using pots with drainage holes helps prevent waterlogged soils that can lead to root rot.

Allow the top few inches of potting mix to dry for cacti and succulents or check the moisture level at the bottom drainage hole. Water moisture-loving plants when the top few inches of soil are barely moist. Use your finger as a moisture meter or a chop stick like you would when checking to see if a cake is fully baked. Push it several inches into the soil and water when the soil is appropriately dry for the plants you are growing. Some gardeners find moisture meters helpful. With experience you will probably be able to look at your plants and know when they need watering. 

If you tend to overwater and your plants are suffering, consider growing plants in unglazed terra cotta pots that breath, allowing soil to dry out more quickly. Select a quality potting mix that drains well. Switch to moisture-loving plants, like papyrus, peace lilies, baby tears and ferns, that will thrive under your care.

For those who tend to underwater, grow plants in plastic, glazed and self-watering containers. Using supplemental watering devices, like water globes and plant nannies, and incorporating organic and sustainable moisture holding amendments can help extend the time between watering and allow moisture-loving plants to thrive. Make it easier by growing drought tolerant plants, like cacti, other succulents, ponytail palm, cast iron plant, snake plant and ZZ plant.

Too much and not enough fertilizer, just like water, can cause yellowing and browning of leaves. Let your plants and the growing conditions be the guide. Plants growing in low light and slow growers, like succulents, tend to need less fertilizer than flowering plants.  Only fertilize when plants are actively growing which is usually March through October. Most fertilizers and plant labels recommend the maximum fertilization schedule. Consider erring on the conservative side as you can always add more if needed. Use slow release or organic fertilizers that release small amounts of nutrients over time, promoting more even and balanced above and below ground growth and reduce the risk of fertilizer burn.

Crispy Leaf Tips and Edges

Tropical plants prefer 75-80% humidity while the humidity in our homes is much lower. Keeping your home cooler in winter and the plants away from hot and cold air vents can help. Group plants together so as one plant transpires (loses moisture through its leaves) the neighboring plants benefit. 

Another way to increase humidity around a plant while reducing maintenance is with gravel trays. Set pebbles, small stones or similar items in a saucer, tray or other shallow container. The plant sits on the pebbles above the water that collects in the saucer.  As the water evaporates, it increases the humidity around the plant and eliminates the need for you to pour off any excess. 

Brown leaf tips on Dracaenas, palms and Ti, prayer and spider plants is often caused by fluoride in the water. Reduce damage by using distilled, rain or other water that’s free of fluoride. Water collected from your dehumidifier is another option as long as you are not cleaning it with toxic chemicals that could damage the plant.

Bronzed, Silvery and Sticky Leaves

Despite your best-efforts problems can arise. When leaves are discolored and sticky it’s time to check for insect pests. Take a close look at the upper and lower leaf surfaces and stems of the plants for clues. 

Aphids are common pests of indoor and outdoor plants. These small teardrop-shaped insects suck plant juices, causing the leaves to yellow, brown, wilt or become distorted. They secrete a clear, sticky substance known as honeydew.

Mites cause similar damage but are too small to see without a hand lens. If you suspect mites, shake a leaf over a white piece of paper and watch for specks, the mites, moving across the paper.  Don’t wait until you see webbing to control these pests.  At that point, there are thousands of mites, making it difficult to control. 

Both these types of pests can be managed in the same way. Start by placing plants in the sink or tub and knock the insects off the plant with a strong blast of water.  Then apply several applications of organic Summit® Year-Round® Horticultural Spray Oil. This insecticide suffocates all stages of the insects. Just repeat according to the label directions.

Bumps on the stems and leaves of plants that can be easily scraped off with a thumbnail are scales. Their shells protect the adults and eggs from predators, weather and most insecticides. A similar pest, mealybug (pictured), has white waxy strands on its body for protection. Mealybugs can be found on stems, leaves and the area where the leaves and stems meet. Both types of these insects suck the plant juices, causing leaves to yellow and plants to decline. And just like aphids and mites, they secrete honeydew. Both are difficult to control and require persistence on your part. Apply organic Summit® Year-Round® Horticultural Spray Oil to manage both the adult and immature stages of these pests.  Continue to watch for outbreaks and treat as needed according to the label directions.

Fungus gnats are small fruit-fly-like insects that flit around your house. They feed on plant roots and organic matter in the soil. They usually don’t harm the plants but certainly are annoying.

Manage unwanted fungus gnats with Summit® Mosquito Bits® labeled for controlling fungus gnat larvae and is safe for people, pets, and plants. Read and follow label directions, repeating as needed.

Use Summit® Sticky Traps placed in the pot with your houseplant to monitor and help manage fungus gnat adults, aphids, thrips, leaf miners and other harmful pests.  The sticky trap’s yellow color attracts the insect pests and the sticky surface traps them where they die. Replace the trap once it is covered with insects or every 3 months. This is also a great tool for monitoring for pests and deciding when you need additional intervention. 

Continually monitor your indoor plants’ health and vigor as well as insect pests. As you make the needed adjustments in their care and manage any pests, you will grow and enjoy a beautiful indoor garden to enjoy all year.

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