Houseplants Common Maladies and Plant Problems

Some Common Problems
Too much water, too little water, insects and plant disease
Identifying the cause of the problem will allow you to determine what will eliminate it.
Some of the most common houseplants problems and what you can do about them.

Leaves are turning yellow
This is a common problem. Unfortunately this may be due to a number of problems
· excess or insufficient light
· a result of too much fertilizer
· too much water
Adjust your plants environment by compensating in the above sequence. Discontinue any additional fertilizer until the problem is resolved

Base of stem is soft or mushy
This is a common result of over-watering.
Water the plant when the surface soil becomes dry
Ensure excess water can drain from the pot
Be sure to use soil that drains well
Add coarse sand to improve drainage.

Leaves tips turning brown
The most common cause is too much or too little water.
Too much fertilizer is also a common cause.
Follow recommended watering procedures for your houseplants
Suspend additional fertilizer treatment for three to four weeks
Replant in fresh soil.
 
Dry and brittle leaves
Too little water or low humidity.
Follow the proper procedure for watering your houseplants
Increase the humidity in your home
Use plant misting techniques

Leaf Drop
Causes include too much sun or fertilizer, improper watering, exposure to cold or draft. The prime suspect in leaf drop, though is over watering. House plants indicate they are getting too much water when their lower leaves turn yellow and drop off.
Follow the proper procedure for watering your houseplants
Discontinue additional fertilizer for three to four weeks
Move it to a location with less light
Ensure your houseplant is placed in it’s preferred temperature zone

Yellow or Brown Spots on Leaves
Too much sun or too much water.
If the plant is in a sunny, southerly window move it to an area with less light
Check to see if the soil is too wet.

Slow Growth
Too little sunlight, water or fertilizer.
Provide more direct sunlight or supplement light with a commercially available gro-light
Follow recommended watering procedures
Apply liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks.

Other Pests and Problems
Aphids
Some plants may display tiny green aphids clustered on the plant's tips, and the leaves are sticky. Aphids suck the sap out of plants and cause the leaves to feel sticky. Aphids are especially attracted to succulent parts of the plant because their mouthparts can easily pierce them.

Avoid excess fertilization, which stimulates the formation of tender, succulent growth
Place the plant in the kitchen sink or a bathtub and wash away the insects. You may need to repeat the procedure a few times
You may need to prune the most heavily infested plant parts
You may be required to apply insecticidal soap for houseplants
Reapply the product if needed

Mealybugs
White cottony, fluffy masses on the stems of your houseplants are most likely mealybugs. Mealybugs are soft-bodied wingless insects that suck sap out of the plant. Their feeding may cause leaves to yellow as the plant weakens.
· Immediately isolate a plant infested with mealybugs
· If the infestation is minimal the pests can be handpicked
· Take a cotton swab, dip it in the alcohol and touch it to the mealybugs
· Washing foliage regularly will help discourage future infestations.
Spider Mites
If your houseplants look gray-green and display some webbing, it is probably spider mites. Mites flourish under the dry household conditions common in the winter months.
· Try to remove mites by hosing the plants off in the shower or the kitchen sink
· Repeat at least twice a week for a month or so
· If this fails to remedy the problem, try using an insecticidal soap
· Treatments need to be reapplied for two weeks to a month
· Mites can indicate a drought-stressed plant, so make sure the plant is receiving adequate moisture

Watering Tips
One of the best ways to accurately determine a plant's need for water is to poke your finger in the soil to the root depth. Notice how the soil feels. If it feels dry, it is probably time to water. If it still feels moist, check again in a day or two.
Apply water until the soil becomes saturated and the excess drains out of the drainage holes into the sink or saucer. Let the pot drain for 15 minutes or so, then discard any excess remaining in the pot's reservoir or saucer. Don't use the surface of the soil as an indicator of a plant's water needs. During the winter, the upper surface of the soil dries out quickly as a result of the furnace running.

Houseplant care and tips