Indoor plants have become a fixture in homes in recent years, both for their aesthetic purposes and host of benefits, including improving air quality, and adding a sense of calm to any room.
But as anyone who has tried to bring a fiddle leaf fig back to life will attest, keeping indoor plants in tip-top condition is no easy feat. Whether it’s the wrong lighting or climate, each breed of plant comes with its own unique care requirements, which means fixing isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.
While losing the odd leaf is normal, if you’re noticing a substantial amount of leaves falling off, this is a sign of improper care or poor growing conditions.
Too much or too little watering is a common cause. Check the soil – if it’s feeling too damp or too dry, you might be overwatering or under watering. Lighting will also affect leaf quality, so make sure you’ve got it positioned in the right spot. For instance, Posion Ivy and Monstera deliciosa thrive in low lighting, whereas succulents will grow best in direct sunlight.
If you’ve recently moved the plant to a different area of your home, this could also be the cause and it’s simply a matter of letting the plant adapt to its new environment. Over time, you’ll notice the leaves will stop falling off.
There are three common causes of indoor plants wilting – too little water, too much water and temperature. These should be easy enough to diagnose and treat– simply check the condition of the soil with your finger and adjust your watering schedule to suit. In warmer months, plants will require more water to stay hydrated, so be sure to step up your watering schedule as the weather heats up.
Over fertilising will often result in brown leaves. Alternatively, if the plant is accustomed to humid environments and you live in a dry climate, this could be to blame.
To prevent brown leaves, give them a light spray with water every so often or move the plant to a humid part of the house, such as the bathroom or kitchen.
When plants require more light, the leaves will stretch towards the sun and as they grow there will be more space between the leaves. You may also notice the leaves turn a lighter or less vibrant colour as they stretch. This can easily be fixed by moving the plant to an area with more direct sunlight.
There’s a number of possible causes for yellowing leaves – again, underwatering and overwatering are the most common. It’s crucial that you only water a plant as much as it requires, so do a little research into your plants specific needs.
Too much sunlight or an environment that is too cold are also probable causes, so try moving the plant out of direct sunlight and away from air-conditioner vents.