What Causes Houseplants to Wilt?

Water

• The typical houseplant needs water when the soil is dry at a depth of about an inch, or the length of your finger to the first knuckle. A few houseplants, especially flowering plants, like more moisture and you should water them when the surface of the soil feels dry. Water your houseplants regularly, but don’t overdo it. Overwatered plants wilt because the excess water in the soil prevents the roots from getting enough oxygen. Consistent overwatering causes root rot. When roots damaged by rot can no longer absorb water and nutrients the plant wilts and dies.

Light and Drafts

• Avoid placing plants in sunny windows where the heat will dry out the leaves, causing them to wilt. Place plants that like bright light just outside the direct rays of the sun, or in a window that receives direct sunlight for a brief period of time during the day. Plants placed too close to heaters and air ducts will also wilt. In winter, plants near windows may be exposed to cool drafts that chill house plants, causing wilt, yellowing and leaf drop.

Salt Buildup

• Chemicals used to treat municipal water systems as well as those found in houseplant fertilizers build up in the potting soil as salts. The salt buildup appears as a white or gray, crusty substance on the edges of the pot and on top of the soil. The salt deposits damage plant roots and burn foliage that touches them. Scrape the deposits off the pot and the soil, and flush the soil with distilled or rain water.

Rootbound Plants

• A houseplant with roots coming out of the bottom of the pot or one that that needs constant watering has outgrown its container and needs repotting. A rootbound plant needs more soil to manage the needs of the plant and more room for the roots to spread out, so choose a pot an inch or two larger than the current container. Remove as much of the old soil as possible and replace it with fresh potting soil. A plant that is in shock wilts immediately after repotting. The plant will come around with proper light and water.