How to Bring Back Stressed Plants

Stressed-out plants don't look their best. They might be wilted, their leaves might be yellow, or their flower buds might fall off before they produce fruit. Plants that are stressed are more prone to disease, as well. Plants can become stressed for different reasons. The weather might be less than ideal. For example, hot temperatures stress plants, as does too much or too little water. You might be trying to grow the plant in a spot that's too sunny or too shady for its needs.

Shredded wood mulch or straw mulch
Pruning shears
Floating row cover
Hose or watering can

Instructions

- 1
  Scoop up a handful of soil from around the plant. If the soil is very dry, the plant's stress might stem from not enough water. But, if the soil is moist and holds together when you squeeze it into a ball, the issue might be too much water. If the soil is very moist and the plant is drooping, cut back on the amount you water.
- 2
  Add a layer of mulch around the plant if the soil is too dry and the plant is showing signs of stress, such as wilting and dropping leaves. Use natural mulch, such as wood chips or straw. Spread a 3- to 6-inch thick layer around the plant.
- 3
  Prune plants that look stressed. If a perennial or annual flower has droopy, brown leaves, cut the plant down to about 6 inches from the ground. The plant will regrow, and the new growth should be healthy.
- 4
  Protect plants from heat waves by draping a floating row cover over them. Cool-season annuals such as lettuce and peas can be shaded from the heat during an unexpected heat wave early in the season.
- 5
  Restore cool-season annuals that look wilted and stressed by adding more water to the soil, but only if the soil is dry.

Propagation of Red-Margined Dracaena

USA Flower Planting Zones

Plant Basics