Often times, plants will give us indicators of how they are doing and what, if anything, is wrong. These can be seen from a variety of places, but a big indicator is the plant’s leaves.
Some of the more common problems include burnt-looking marks on the leaves and leaves starting to droop. Check out the solutions for these common obstacles below.
“Burnt-Looking” Brown Marks on Leaves
Did you know plants can get sunburn? Now, it’s not the same as when our skin burns, but plants that are more suited for lower light sources are susceptible to burns.
If you are finding brown, burnt spots on the leaves, browning leaf tips, or even pale yellowed leaves, try moving your plant away from the light source. Houseplants tend to do better with more of an indirect light, so moving your plant out of the windowsill could be beneficial.
If only a few of the leaves on your plant are affected, you can safely prune them. However, if the plant is badly damaged, try waiting for new growth to occur before pruning.
Drooping Leaves
If your plant starts to droop, underwatering could be your problem. Check to see if your soil is completely dry and, if it is, go ahead and give your plant a good watering.
After you give the plant a thorough watering, be sure you empty the drip tray—you don’t want your plant to sit in soggy soil! This should help your plant perk up again in a few hours.
Make sure you understand the needs of your plant to prevent this from happening again. There are some plants that need the soil to completely dry out between watering and others that require consistently moist soil.
Another note: Plants go dormant in the winter—even indoor plants. That means that they will require less water than during the spring. So be sure to watch your plants to see how the changes in season affect them.
Do you have any other tips to share about caring for indoor plants? Leave a comment below!
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