17 reasons why houseplants are dying

Indoor plants give any space a special charm and comfort. However, caring for them can be very difficult. Sometimes potted flowers die within a few days after purchase. This can happen due to elementary errors.

1. Wrong choice of plant

It seems that buying a house plant is easy and simple - you choose the flower you like and you're done. In fact, the choice should be approached carefully and not only to study information about the flower, but also to take into account the conditions in your home.

Phytodesigner Hilton Carter notes that people often buy a plant because it is beautiful, not because the quantity and quality of natural lighting in the apartment.

2. Excess plants in the house

It is a great idea to arrange a beautiful green corner in your apartment, but it is important to be careful here. According to environmentalist Rachel Mayo, people sometimes get so excited about the idea of ​​filling a house with greenery that they buy too many of all kinds of flowers. As a result, the plants die while we try to figure out how to properly care for each of them.

It is better to start with one, maximum two, find the right care for them, and then gradually add one more new "pet" at a time.

3. Temperature change

In order to keep plants in good condition, it is important to consider several factors. Temperature is one of the most important. Most plants feel more comfortable at 18–26 ° C.

Too low or too high temperatures, as well as frequent changes, are detrimental to flowers. Therefore, it is better not to put them in aisles, next to radiators and near open windows.

4. Scheduled watering

Watering frequency depends on the amount of light the flowers receive, temperature, humidity, and many other factors. Lisa Eldred-Steinkopf, the author of the houseplants blog, advises not to water, but to check the condition of the soil according to the schedule. For example, if it was cloudy all week, the process of photosynthesis was not very active, which means that the plant may not need water on the next day according to the schedule.

You can assess the condition of the soil with your finger, if the plant "lives" in a shallow pot, or with a wooden stick, if in a large and deep one. You need to immerse the stick in the ground so as to reach the bottom of the pot, leave it for a minute, and then pull it out and check. If it is wet at the end, then it is too early to water the plant.

In this case, for example, cacti and succulents should be "watered" when the ground is completely dry. Tropical deciduous plants - in partially moist soil. Ferns and flowers with thin leaves - on slightly dry ground.

It is important not to forget about the correct breaks between waterings. The same cacti or succulents do not need to be watered for several weeks, and the fern will need moisture in a week.

5. Excessive or insufficient watering

Over-watering is a surefire way to kill a plant. This can cause the leaves to turn yellow and the roots to rot. Therefore, before watering the flower, you should check the ground in the peas. If it is still wet, then water is not needed yet.

The other side of the coin - insufficient watering - can also hurt. In this case, the leaves turn brown and the roots dry out. Plant “doctor” Gabby Santiago also points out one more sign: when little water is supplied to the roots, the plant begins to sag. Therefore, if there is a drainage hole in the pot, you can not be afraid and thoroughly water the soil.

Experts also advise to find out how much moisture the plant receives in its natural habitat, and try to repeat these conditions at home.

You can also buy a special soil moisture meter for indoor plants. It will help you understand when it is time to water the flowers.

6. Watering in one place

Watering the plant always in the same place is a mistake. Flowers must be watered until water begins to come out of the drainage hole in the pot, and at the same time water is poured evenly over the entire surface of the earth, and not over the same area.

The main challenge is to make sure the entire root system is getting the moisture it needs. If you water only one side - especially for large plants - then the roots on the other side may not receive any water at all. It is not surprising that this half will begin to die over time.

7. Lack of fertilizer

Many people believe that water alone is enough for plants to feel good. This is not true. Fertilization is an important part of flower care. They, like humans, need extra care and proper nutrition.

8. Ignoring the changing seasons

Just like changing temperatures, plants are greatly influenced by changing seasons. Flower care should vary depending on whether it is winter, spring, summer or fall outside the window.

For example, most plants require less water in winter because they receive less sun. light and are in a state of deep rest, when their metabolism decreases and growth slows down.

9. Unsuitable soil

The selection of the soil should also be approached thoroughly. It all depends on the plant. Some people prefer soil that drains quickly, others, on the contrary, do not like it. So it's worth studying all the available information about the plant and choosing the land that suits it perfectly.

10. Unfavorable place

The wrong space can seriously damage the flowers and even kill them. Plants blog author Marcus Bridgewater notes that plants can't bloom anywhere. Therefore, before taking them home, it is important to understand what exactly they need.

11. Transplant too early or late

Transplanting into another pot should not be done just because the plant "grew" from the previous one. This also needs to be done to change the potting mix and make sure the flowers are getting the nutrients they need.

If it's time to change the pot due to the changed size, you should not buy a new huge one. Otherwise, the plant will "float" in the soil, which can lead to waterlogging and rotting of the roots. It is better to increase the size of the pot gradually - let it be 2–5 cm wider than the previous one.

Experts also advise replanting the plant when it becomes noticeable how the roots begin to grow from the bottom of the pot or the development of the flower slows down significantly. If everything is in order with growth, it is better to prune the leaves and stems, rather than change the pot.

12. No drainage hole in the pot

There are often readily available alternatives to the drain hole on the internet. However, experts advise not to get carried away with such methods. Using pebbles, bricks, or other materials in place of a drain hole does not work. Moreover, it impedes drainage. When there is no hole, it is difficult to understand whether there is enough water in the pot to moisten the roots or moisture, on the contrary, "drowns" the plant.

13. Lack or excess of light

Often we start to go to extremes - giving the plant too much or too little light. And it is better to create an environment that is as close as possible to the natural habitat. If the windows do not overlook the sunny side, and the flowers need light, you can use a phytolamp.

Another important subtlety is associated with indirect light. Some people misinterpret this concept and harm their plants by placing the pots too far from the window.

The creator of the plant blog, Darryl Cheng, recommends doing this:

• Place flowers as close to the largest window in the apartment as possible. There, plants will have the widest access to natural light.
• Cover the window with a white tulle curtain if the flowers will be in direct sunlight for more than 2-3 hours a day.

That is why in apartments with large windows there are always healthier plants - they just need to be properly watered and fertilized. And if the windows are small or have trellises on them, flowers will grow slowly or even poorly, despite all the efforts.

14. Same plant position

Even after finding the ideal location in terms of aesthetics and conditions, it is important to reposition the plant and rotate it regularly around its axis. Especially if he needs a lot of sun, and it falls on only one part of the plant.

15. Lack of pest protection

Despite the fact that indoor flowers are constantly in the room, they are still susceptible to pest attacks, which not only threaten the growth and appearance of plants, but can also kill them. Botanist Gladys Mbofang-Curtis notes that antifungal and other protective agents must be selected individually for each flower and do not forget to use them regularly.

16. Excessive care of plants

It may sound strange, but too much care can be destructive. This is especially true in winter, when the plants are dormant, so they do not need to be thoroughly and abundantly watered. During this period, flowers can lose a few leaves, and this is absolutely natural, because in winter they receive much less sunlight.

Plant "doctor" Gabby Santiago advises not to wind yourself up because of such trifles. Most plants are much more tenacious than you might think, and are able to live happily even without close attention. It is enough to devote time to them once a week.

17. Being too strict about yourself

Caring for plants is delicate work, and it is very easy to make a mistake here. But you don't need to beat yourself up if something went wrong - any mistakes will help in the future.

The main thing is to be attentive to plants and satisfy their needs. No one is born with extraordinary gardening talent, but they can be mastered by constantly exploring the plant world and gaining experience.