Help! Why Is My Houseplant Wilting?
Is your houseplant starting to look a little worse for wear? Drooping leaves are always an alarming sign, especially if you aren’t sure about the cause. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to address the cause and get your plants back on track. Here’s how to diagnose the problem and get your plants looking better, faster.
What Causes Houseplants to Wilt in the First Place?
Plants get their structure from continuous water pressure within the leaves and stem, known as turgor pressure. If this flow of water is interrupted or imbalanced for any reason, the plant will lose its structure and start to wilt.
Some of the leading causes of wilting include:
Getting Rootbound
Plants go limp when their roots don’t have the space to grow properly. This happens when they grow in too small of a pot. So, fix the problem by re-potting the plant into a larger growing space.
Too Little Water
It’s all too easy to accidentally ignore an out-of-the-way houseplant. Skip a few watering sessions, and your plant will start to go limp. You can tell this is the likely cause of the problem if the soil feels dry several inches down. The good news is that many varieties will recover almost instantly after a good drenching.
Too Much Water
Conversely, too much water can also lead to drooping. Excess moisture may drown the roots and prevent them from getting enough oxygen. This leads to a condition called hypoxia, where the plant roots essentially drown and kill off the rest of the plant in the process.
It’s critical that you address the problem immediately when you see it. Start by refraining from watering for several days. You may also need to replace the potting soil to give the roots a fresh start.
Pests and Bugs
An insect infestation can quickly take down healthy plants, leaving them wilted in little time. The most common indoor pests include aphids, scale, mealy bugs, fungus gnats, and whiteflies. If you see dropping leaves, check their undersides for signs of pest damage or clutches of eggs.
Pick off any eggs or insects on sight, and consider spraying an insecticidal soap over the whole plant. It’s good to isolate any infected plants from others to prevent the problem from spreading.
Temperature Stress
Unlike people, plants can’t move when experiencing unpleasant conditions. Consequently, they are highly susceptible to temperature fluctuations. Too much time near a sunny window or excessive exposure to a drafty window can cause plants to droop. Thankfully, fixing the problem is usually as simple as moving the plant to a more stable location.