Like other living beings, plants also need care. Although it is not difficult to water them and keep them in a corner, it is certainly difficult to give them the right amount of water, sunlight, and nutrients.
Sometimes, despite all the efforts, your plant may look pale and start dying. This could be due to pests or the use of the wrong soil. Based on the seasons, the plants’ requirements also change. Keeping them in direct sunlight even during summer will do no good. Here are 5 reasons why your plants may be turning yellow and pale or dying.
1. Overwatering Or Underwatering
If the leaves of your indoor plants appear yellow and wilted, you are overwatering the plants. Pouring too much water on the plant doesn’t help them grow faster or better. Instead, this will drown the plant and also rot the root as too much water is retained by the soil. Solve this problem by adding sand to the plant to promote water drainage and watering the plant based on how much it requires.
On the same lines, underwatering the plant can make the leaves dry and brittle, in addition to turning it yellow in color. Water the plant regularly to prevent them from drying.
2. Using The Wrong Soil
Each plant requires a different type of soil to help it grow and survive. While some plants like cacti need fast draining soil that doesn’t hold water, others need dense soil that can hold the water. Just like the leaves, the roots also require the right amount of nutrients, water, and air to thrive. If the roots are strong, the plant will be healthy.
Regular potting soil is good for indoor plants. However, avoid using heavy soil as it may not allow air to get to its roots and retain too much water, causing the roots of the plant to rot. Soil loses its nutrients after a period. Changing the soil regularly can help the plant survive as they absorb the required nutrients from the soil. When there is a nutrient deficiency, whether it is iron, calcium, potassium, or nitrogen, the leaves of the plant become yellow.
3. Ignoring Pests
Spider mites, mealybugs, gnats, and whiteflies damage the plants. While some spread diseases, other pests feed on the leaves and you may also notice small bumps on the leaves.
Insects like ladybugs are beneficial to the plants as they can help you get rid of destructive pests by feeding on them. You can also get rid of the pests by diluting neem concentrate in water and spraying it on the plants. Neem oil can be used as an alternative, too.
4. Too Much Or Too Little Light
Plants require sunlight for photosynthesis. However, the sunlight requirement differs from plant to plant. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and cacti require much more sunlight than broccoli, begonias, and salad greens.
Keep your houseplant in a place that is neither too hot nor too cold. Change the location based on the plant’s requirements. If the leaves appear to be brown, the plant is getting too much sunlight. On the other hand, if the leaves are pale, small, and the plant is bending toward a light source, it means that it is not getting enough sunlight.
5. Too Much Or No Fertilizer
Overfertilization can kill your plant and insufficient fertilization with not give it the additional nutrient boost that it requires to grow and stay healthy. Too much fertilizer can make the leaves soft and the plant may wilt even if you are watering it well. If the leaves of your plant become pale and small, it is not getting enough fertilizer.
Note: Avoid changing the plants’ location regularly. They take time to get used to their surroundings and changing their location can cause stress.
