20 Hacks to Revive Your Dead (or Dying) Plant
The one surefire way to hurt your ego is to take care of a plant, but it dies on you. We are not doomed, however. Sometimes even a plant that appears quite dead still has a little life and will miraculously begin to grow again if given the right care. Here are 20 hacks you can use to bring your dead plant back to life.
First, Is the Plant Really Dying?
Despite the fact that leaves have dried out and become papery, a plant can still be saved if the stems and roots show signs of life. It’s important to have plants that are pliable and firm followed by stems that are green on the inside if you plan to revive the plant. The stems and roots should be firm but not mushy. If they are brittle, the plant cannot be saved.
Trim Back the Dead Parts
Can you bring a dying plant back to life? Of course! But you need to remove all the dead leaves and debris so that the plant can focus all of its energy on the parts still alive. To begin, trim away all the dry leaves. Continue trimming the live stems one-third at a time, until you see new growth. New stems will grow from the trimmed ones.
Leave Bits of Stem Intact
Leaving about five centimetres of the stems above the soil is enough to completely get rid of dead stalks that have all died but still have roots. Trim only as far as they’re fully buried. If you are successful in restoring the plant, new growth will begin to form on these stems.
Diagnose the Problem
The cause of a dying plant may be caused by several factors, so you need to figure out what’s causing the problem first. It could be due to unsuitable conditions such as inadequate water, inadequate plant nutrition, pests, or not receiving enough sunlight, among other factors.
Water a Thirsty Plant
When the leaves of your plant are brown around the edges and curled up, that means they are thirsty. A root system that is completely dried out would mean that the soil around the roots is dry as well. If your plant has died because you didn’t give it enough water, the solution is simple: water it!
Move a Thirsty Plant to a Humid Spot
Water alone will not necessarily be sufficient to help your plant recover if it is dried out, particularly if you tend to forget to water it regularly. Place the plant in a humid spot away from direct sunlight, like a bathroom, where it will absorb moisture through its leaves, freshening the environment at the same time.
Use Filtered Water on Your Plants
Bamboo cannot survive in chlorinated water, for instance, in Canada. The chemicals in tap water can cause death for some plants, including fluoride and chlorides. Use filtered water instead of tap water to water your plants. Install a tank to collect rainwater and use it as an alternative.
Replant an Overwatered Plant
When a plant is overwatered, it will display wilting. There may also be dead-looking brown or yellow leaves, even if the soil surrounding the plant is moist. Replanting a plant in drier soil if you’ve overwatered it is the best solution if the plant is dying. It may take a bit more effort now, but a suitable planter could transform your backyard. This little bit of work now could not only save your plant, but also make it look beautiful.
Hold Off on the Fertilizer
It might be tempting to give your plant a little nutritional boost, but don’t do so just yet. A plant that is struggling may have the roots damaged. You should wait until it is healthy again before adding fertilizer.
Move the Plant to a Sunny Location
In order for plants to grow properly, they need a lot of light, otherwise the leaves will be pale and the stems will be weak. They’ll have stunted growth as well. Typically, letting in sunlight is the easiest way to remedy this problem. Otherwise, move the plant to a sunny location.
Consider the Less Obvious Solutions for Too Little Light
You can also clean the windows if your plant is not getting enough light. For example, it might be possible to increase the amount of light by cleaning the windows. The plant will also get more light if you add light-colored gravel around it. This will reflect light and ensure that the plant gets enough of it.
Move a Burned Plant Into the Shade
The leaves of many plants do not like intense sun, in fact, there are some indoor plants that do better in low light. A plant that has been exposed to too much light will have dried-out leaves with dark or bleached patches. You can revive a plant that gets too much sun by trimming its foliage, moving it to a shady area and planting it with high humidity. If you can’t move it, consider installing a shade structure, such as a canopy.
Protect Frost-Damaged Plants
Jasmine plants are especially susceptible to frost damage, which can kill the vines. If your plant seems to die after a cold spell, it is very likely that it has suffered frost damage. Cover your outdoor plants with a frost blanket to thaw a dying plant and protect them from frost if the weather is cold. It will likely grow again in spring.
Feed Your Plant
Nutrient deficiency is one of the main reasons why plants die. Nutritional deficiencies can be identified through stunted growth, discoloured and malformed leaves, as well as weak or dying stems. Fresh soil with plant food added should be put on the plant.
Get a Bigger Pot
Potted plants might die because they are too big for the pot. Try replanting them in a larger one that has well-draining, fertile soil. This will allow the roots enough room to grow.
Use a Water-Soluble Fertilizer
Too much fertilizer, or the wrong kind of fertilizer, can damage the roots of the plant. However, plants still require nutrition to grow. You can fill a watering can with water-soluble fertilizer and water your plant instead with it.
Use Fertilizer at the Right Time
Too much fertilizer can do more harm than good, which is why you should only fertilize when the time is right. Except for plants that will flower in winter, most plants rest during winter months. Plants should only be fertilized during their growing season, which generally runs from spring to autumn.
Get Rid of Pests
If a shrub dies, how can you revive it? Pests can destroy them and kill them. Shrubs, in particular, are the risk because they have so many hiding places. Be diligent when looking for signs of pest infestation, including folded or curled leaves, abnormal growths, discolored leaves, holes in the leaves, and, of course, bugs that shouldn’t be there. You can remove most pests by using soap and water in a mild solution.
Don’t Attract Bad Bugs
It could be that you leave dirty pet food bowls lying around or have an unkempt garden that leads to having bad bugs in your house and yard. If your plant appears to be plagued with pests, look for the source of the insect infestation and take steps to prevent them from returning.
Get Rid of Diseases
A number of plant diseases can infect plants, each with different causes, symptoms, and treatments. The following diseases affect plants: powdery mildew, root rot, leaf spots, and others. If you suspect your plant has one of these diseases, consult a gardening expert for specific identification and treatment instructions. You should also isolate the damaged plant from other plants in order to prevent the spread of the disease.