20 Hacks That Will Bring Your Dead (or Dying) Plant Back to Life
If you are taking good care of a plant and it then dies on you, your ego will surely take a hit. However, all is not lost. There are many plants that look dead but have a bit of life in them, and if they’re given the right care they will almost miraculously start to grow again. Here are 20 hacks to bring your dead plant back to life.
Find Out if the Plant is Actually Dead First
It is not necessary for a plant’s leaves to be completely dried out and papery for it to be beyond saving. Instead, look for signs of life in its stems and roots. To have any chance of revitalizing the plant, the stems must be firm and pliable, and the insides must be green. The roots and stems mushy and brittle are signs that the plant is dead, and hence cannot be saved.
Trim Back the Dead Parts
If a plant is dying, then yes, you can revive it. It’s crucial, however, to remove the dead parts so that the bits that still have life within them can utilize the energy they possess. Begin by trimming all the dead leaves first. Then do the same with the dead stems, one third at a time, until radiance starts to appear. New stems can grow from the trimmed ones.
Leave Bits of Stem Intact
Trim the stems only about five centimeters above the soil if the plant roots are still alive but the stems are completely dead. If the stems are dead but the roots are still alive, do not trim up to the roots. You will see the new growth sprout from these stems after you revive the plant.
Diagnose the Problem
A dying plant could be suffering from a variety of problems, so you must figure out what the issue is first. You must consider all the possible causes: the amount of water you’ve given it, its nutrition, insect and disease infestations, whether it has received enough sunlight, and so on.
Water a Thirsty Plant
The brown leaves on your plants that are dry around the edges or curled up are clear signs that your plant is thirsty. The soil around the roots will also be completely dry. Your plant may be dying because you weren’t giving it enough water, so you should give it more.
Move a Thirsty Plant to a Humid Spot
Watering alone may not help a dried-out plant, especially if you regularly forget to water it. Try placing the plant in a humid spot out of direct sunlight, such as the bathroom. This will allow the plant to absorb moisture from the air and spruce up your bathroom at the same time.
Use Filtered Water on Your Plants
There are some plants that are sensitive to chemicals commonly found in tap water, including chloride and fluoride. Bamboo dies when exposed to chlorinated water. For better results, water your plants with filtered water rather than straight from the tap. You can also install a tank to collect rainwater and use it as an alternative.
Replant an Overwatered Plant
When overwatered, plants will look wilted. They may also develop brown or yellow leaves while the soil around them is moist. If you have given your plant too much water, the best solution is to replant it in drier soil. With appropriate planters, your backyard can make a beautiful addition. The extra work you do now may not only save your plant, but can also give the garden a makeover.
Hold Off on the Fertilizer
It may be tempting to give your plant a nutrition boost, but wait for the plant to recover before fertilizing. Fertilizer can damage a plant’s delicate roots if it is struggling.
Move the Plant to a Sunny Location
Some plants require lots of light to grow. A plant that does not receive enough light will have small, pale leaves and weak stems, and will grow stunted as well. If the problem is caused by shade or draughts, open the drapes and let the sunlight in. Otherwise, move the plant to a sunny location.
Consider the Less Obvious Solutions for Too Little Light
In the event that your plant hasn’t had enough light, there are some less obvious solutions. For instance, cleaning your windows will allow more light to come through. Additionally, you can surround the plant with light-coloured gravel, which will reflect light and ensure that the plant gets enough of it.
Move a Burned Plant Into the Shade
In fact, some plants prefer low light, such as some indoor plants that thrive in darkness. You will notice dried-out leaves or dark, bleached areas on your plant if your plant has been exposed to too much sunlight. What’s the answer to a plant scorched by too much sun? Trim the foliage, relocate it in a shady spot with high humidity, and water it thoroughly. If you can’t relocate the plant, consider installing some sort of shade, like a canopy.
Protect Frost-Damaged Plants
If your plant seems to be dying after a cold spell, it most likely has suffered frost damage. Jasmine plants are particularly susceptible to frost, which can kill the vines. You can revive a dying jasmine plant and protect outdoor plants from frost by covering it with a frost blanket until the weather gets warmer. It will likely grow again next spring.
Feed Your Plant
Nutrient deficiencies are a common cause of plants dying. Signs of nutrients deficiency include stunted growth, discolored and malformed leaves, and weak or dying stems. You should replant the plant in fresh soil that is enriched with plant food.
Get a Bigger Pot
Potted plants that are dying may have grown too large for their pot and have outgrown it. If this is the case, start over in a bigger pot filled with well-draining soil. This will allow the roots to grow.
Use a Water-Soluble Fertilizer
Water your plant with a nutrient-rich solution instead of fertilizer. Too much fertilizer, or the wrong kind, will burn the roots; however, it still needs nutrition to grow. Make sure your plant receives nutrition from water soluble fertilizer, not chemical fertilizer.
Use Fertilizer at the Right Time
Because too much fertilizer can harm your plants, you should only fertilize at the right time. Most plants rest during the cooler months, except for those plants that flower in the winter. You only need to fertilize your plants during their growth period, which is generally from spring to autumn.
Get Rid of Pests
You could wreak havoc on your plants by allowing pests to invade them. Shrubs are especially vulnerable because of all the hiding spots they provide. What can you do to revive a dying bush? You should watch for signs of pest infestation, such as folded or curled-up leaves, abnormal growths, deformed or discoloured leaves, holes in leaves and of course, anything that shouldn’t be there. The use of mild soap in water is an effective way to get rid of most pests.
Don’t Attract Bad Bugs
You might be doing something to attract bad insects to your house or yard, from leaving dirty pet food bowls lying around to having an unkempt garden. Whenever you find a pest problem on your plant, see how the pests got there in the first place and do what you can to prevent them from coming back.
Get Rid of Diseases
Diseases affect plants in a variety of ways, each with its own causes, symptoms, and treatments. If you believe your plant has been affected by a disease like powdery mildew, root rot, or leaf spot, contact a gardening expert for help identifying it and learning how to treat it. Additionally, it is crucial that you keep the diseased plant completely separated from your other plants to prevent it from spreading.