Decorating your home with plants or flowers is a great way to bring the energy of nature indoors. It’s also true that plants add beauty and style to homes. Unfortunately, plants and flowers can dry out very easily. Moreover, each plant has its own requirements and survival conditions. Some like to be in the sun on the balcony, while others can live in the shade. Some need to be watered every day, while others only need to be watered once a week. If you’re struggling to keep your houseplants alive no matter what you do, you might be making some of the common mistakes on this list. Although it may seem easy to care for a plant, these beautiful creatures that add color to our homes are actually quite sensitive. Over or under watering, improper repotting (or not repotting at all), placing the plant in the wrong place all affect its growth and health. Now, without wasting any more time, let’s talk about 7 mistakes that can cause indoor plants to wilt.
Over watering
You may think that watering our plants frequently is good for them, but unfortunately, as with everything else, too much water is bad for them. Excess water limits airflow to the plant and literally suffocates the roots. As a result, bacteria develop that can lead to fungal growth and root rot, which can kill your plant. Experts recommend never watering when the top layer of soil is still moist. You can dip your finger into the soil to see if your plant needs water. You can also find out what type of plant it is and how much water it needs. If you’re wondering why your well-watered plants suddenly wither, this could be the reason.
Little irrigation
Similar to the point above, not giving your plants enough water can cause them to wilt or die. If your plants are not getting enough water, they will lack all the essential elements they need for healthy growth. Unfortunately, watering wilting plants won’t help, because if your plant has wilted, it’s probably too late to give it water. Also, if you leave the soil dry for too long, it will eventually become compacted and it will be difficult for water to reach the roots and be properly absorbed. In such a situation, experts recommend watering the plants from the bottom by dipping the pots into a container of water to allow the soil to absorb as much water as possible.
Using pots without drainage holes
Another common mistake that can kill plants in your home is using pots without drainage holes. You may want to beautify your plants by buying different shaped pots and containers, but if these pots don’t have drainage holes in the bottom, your precious plants will die. These holes allow water to pass through the soil properly, encourage air circulation and are also essential for removing salts from the soil. If the pot you like doesn’t have holes in the bottom, you can make them yourself at home.
Not changing flower pots
Repotting may seem like an unnecessary chore, but it’s a necessary step to ensure your plants grow healthily. So, how do you know if you need to repot your plants? The first sign that you need to repot is if the drainage holes in your pot are getting bigger or the plant is almost out of the pot. It’s also time to repot your plant if the leaves are falling off or looking wilted, if your plant isn’t growing or if the roots are damaged. Similarly, repotting too early can shock the plant, causing it to wilt or die. Remember that not every plant needs repotting and repot only when necessary.
Using the wrong size pot
Another common mistake is to use the wrong size pot when repotting. While some people think that a larger pot will give the plant enough space to grow faster, this actually causes some plants to grow more slowly. Also, because the pot is large, you may unintentionally overwater your plants, which will cause the roots to rot and weaken. You should always use a pot that is about 5 to 10 cm larger and 2 to 5 cm deeper than your plant’s current pot.
Exposure to direct sunlight
Although indoor plants need light to survive, often leaving them in direct sunlight is one of the mistakes that can kill the plants in your home. Most plants can only withstand an hour or two of direct sunlight. Too much bright light on a daily basis will cause leaves to burn, develop brown spots or curl at the tips. Experts recommend leaving plants in the early morning light sun and then placing them in the shade to get enough light.
Using too much fertilizer
Another thing that can cause indoor plants to wilt is the use of fertilizer. You should use fertilizer to support healthy plant growth. But if you over-fertilize, thinking that it will be healthier and grow faster, you can kill your plant. Instead of promoting growth, over-fertilization can cause root burn due to added salts in the soil. Following the instructions on the package when you buy fertilizer will prevent this mistake.
