Dead or dying plant
A collapsed plant with no new growth may still have living parts; test the stems and roots before giving up.
What you'll see
- Stems or rosettes have collapsed, leaves are brittle or mushy, and there has been no new growth for weeks.
- Stems snap easily or are hollow and dry, and scratching the bark shows brown, dry tissue.
- Roots are all dark and mushy, or dry and crisp like straw.
Why it happens
Long drought, rot from overwatering, frost, heat or long neglect can kill the living tissue above and below the soil.
How to fix it
- Scratch a stem gently with a fingernail: green and moist underneath means that part is alive.
- Unpot it and check the roots: firm white or tan roots, or any green buds, mean a rescue is worth trying.
- To rescue it, trim back to living tissue with clean shears, repot in fresh, well-draining mix and water lightly once.
- Keep it in bright, indirect light and steady warmth, and give it 6 to 8 weeks to show new growth.
- If nothing is alive, bin the plant and the old mix, and wash the pot with hot, soapy water.
Keep it from coming back
- Check the soil before watering, and use pots with drainage holes.
- Keep plants within their light and temperature range, away from drafts and heaters.
- Some bulbs and cacti go dormant and look dead; note the date and wait before giving up.
Sources
- Kindwise plant.health library: Dead plant
- University of Maryland Extension: Diagnose indoor plant problems
General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.