How to save a dying plant
A calm, step-by-step rescue plan
Find the cause first
A dying plant usually has one main problem: water, light, temperature or pests. Most problems can be fixed by changing the growing conditions, but fixing the wrong thing can make things worse.
Think about what changed recently. A move, a repot, a cold draft or a new watering habit is often the trigger.
Check the roots
Slide the plant out of its pot. Healthy roots are firm and light-colored. Rotten roots are brown or black and soft, and they may smell bad.
Bone-dry potting mix, shrunk away from the sides of the pot around white roots, points to thirst instead.
Check the rest
Then work through a few more questions.
- Soil: soggy for days, or so dry that water runs straight through?
- Light: too dark for this plant, or scorched by sudden strong sun?
- Temperature: near a cold draft, a radiator or a heating vent?
- Pests: anything under the leaves or along the stems?
First aid
Once you know the cause, act on it. Move the patient away from your other plants while it recovers.
- Thirsty: soak the whole root ball in water, let it drain, and check the soil more often from now on.
- Rotting: cut away the brown, soft roots with clean scissors and repot in fresh mix, in a pot with drainage holes.
- Use a smaller pot if you removed a lot of roots, and let the mix dry somewhat before watering again.
- Cut off leaves that are completely brown or yellow, but keep leaves that are still mostly green.
- Move it to bright, indirect light, away from drafts and heaters.
- Fix light and water before you feed it. A struggling plant can't use the extra nutrients.
When to start over
If most of the roots are dark, soft and dead, the plant usually can't be saved. Before you let it go, look for any firm, healthy stems and root them as cuttings.
Many plants recover quickly once their conditions improve, but new leaves can take a few weeks. Damaged leaves won't heal, so judge progress by the new growth.
Related plant problems
Sources
- NC State Extension: Extension Gardener Handbook, 18: Plants Grown in Containers
- RHS: How to help a poorly houseplant
- University of Maryland Extension: Diagnose Indoor Plant Problems
- Clemson HGIC: Houseplant Diseases & Disorders
General guidance, not a diagnosis. Written by PlantWiz in our own words from the sources above.