We’ve all done it – killed a plant! Multiple I bet. I love my indoor plants, but I’ve also had to put a few in the ICU. Currently I have my friend’s fiddle leaf fig here. I’m trying to bring it back from some serious over watering. It doesn’t look good, but I’m still hopeful! Normally I’d just tell her to toss it and start again, but it’s become a little challenge now – trying bring it back to life. We’ll see how it goes!
Today I have some trips on how to bring a dying plant back to life…
Research your plant
Sometimes you just need to know a bit more about your plant and what it needs. I can mostly guarantee plants get over watered and that’s why they get sick. So find out whether your plant usually likes to be dry in between watering, or does it like being a little wet? Google, Pinterest or your local nursery will help you work that out.
Check the roots
Tip the plant out. It’s the only way to see what’s going on with the soil and roots. If it’s really wet and the base of the plant is mushy then you know it’s too wet.
Re-pot
Make sure the roots and soil are less wet when you replant, so shake off all that extra moisture and re-pot with some less soggy soil. Alternatively, the plant may be very dry and crunchy. You may need some good quality potting mix to nurture those roots. Warning – your plant may end up looking worse because you’ve given it a shock with the re-planting but hang in there!
Gentle watering
I have written about that here. But basically, I rely on a moisture meter to tell me when to water my plants. During the winter, your plants need much less water (sometimes needing water as little as once every 4-6 weeks). Just make sure that your plant is in well-draining soil, as well as in a well-draining pot. They do not like sitting in water. Here’s a rule of thumb for your watering – if the leaves turn yellow or brown and fall off, then it is getting too much water. If the leaves are drooping, but don’t fall off, then your plant needs more water.
Filtered light
Near a window and morning sun for a couple of hours will be sufficient. When I say morning sun, I mean you have to see some sun-rays on your leaves for a period of time. I often see photos on Instagram of plants which I know are struggling because they are situated in a dark area. Plants need to photosynthesize. So they need light!
Be patient
The plant will lay dormant in the cooler months. So if it’s been struggling sometimes it can take a full year to recover. I had one where about 8 of the bottom leaves fell off. I was shattered. I just left it though and sure enough some new leaves started sprouting out the bottom a few months later.
You might like these posts too –
What’s Wrong with your Indoor Plant
♥ KC.
