- Each plant requires a certain amount of light each day. The light may need to be filtered or be very bright, depending on the plant. The best way to determine the type of light required for the unhealthy plant is to research the plant. Indoor gardening books and Web sites provide specific growing instructions for hundreds of house plants. The solution may be as simple as changing the location of the plant. Check to see whether the plant needs to be closer to the window or farther away from the direct sunlight.
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Houseplants grow under forced conditions. They are at the mercy of the gardener who tends them. Ideal water conditions are almost never provided for the typical houseplant.
During warmer months, high humidity levels in the home cause the soil to retain moisture. During colder months, dry air in the home causes soil to dry very fast. Too much water or soggy soil will cause the leaves of the houseplant to turn yellow. Before watering, insert your index finger into the soil. If the soil remains dry to the first knuckle of the finger, the plant needs water. If the finger comes out wet, wait a few days and check the soil again. -
Problems with the plant's root system can result in yellow leaves. The roots may be under attack by insects in the soil. The plant may have outgrown its pot, and the nutrients in the soil are not sufficient to keep the plant healthy. Roots could have been injured, via nicks or cuts, when the plant was transplanted.
Careful inspection of the plant is necessary to see if the yellow roots are a result of these causes. Transplanting into a larger pot will allow the roots to be less compacted. Insects can be treated with a simple solution of ½ teaspoon dish detergent and a quart of water. Wash the roots down and pot in fresh soil. Damaged roots are treated the same as if infected with insects. -
Potting soil only has so many nutrients. As the plant grows, the nutrients are depleted.
Flowering plants need more nutrients than other houseplants to produce the blooms. However, too much fertilizer results in the plant "burning" or turning yellow and losing its leaves. Flushing the soil with water and allowing it to drain completely helps remove the overdose of fertilizer.
On the other hand, a lack of nutrients results in the plant not being able to grow properly. Feeding plants once a month should provide enough nutrients to keep the plant happy. Reduce the amount of fertilizer given to flowering plants once the blooms are done. These plants need a period of rest.
