When it comes to caring for your garden, it can be difficult to tell if a wilted plant is simply dehydrated or completely on its way out. If your green thumb is wondering whether its beloved plant can be salvaged, this blog post will help guide you through figuring it out.
We’ll offer some simple steps from assessing your plant’s condition up close and personal to identify if it’s ready for composting or if a quick dose of TLC might just work wonders and bring your seemingly dead greenery back to life.
Knowing how best to handle this situation will ensure that you don’t waste valuable time trying desperately to revive something that can’t be saved; so keep reading, and we’ll teach you when to compost and when B-12 is an appropriate solution!
Check the Roots
The health of your houseplant relies heavily on its roots. These powerful little structures are responsible for absorbing the vital water and nutrients that keep it alive, so making sure they’re in top shape should be a priority.
You can tell if the roots are strong and healthy by their color and texture – they’ll be white or light-colored with a firm, fleshy feel to them. On the other hand, brown or mushy roots indicate that the plant is no longer viable, so it’s best to compost it. Regularly checking up on your plant’s roots is an important step when nurturing a healthy indoor garden!
Look for New Growth
Checking for new growth before throwing a plant in the compost pile is important. After all, there may be hope to save the plant if you act quickly enough.
Be sure to look carefully at your plant’s roots – even if they look healthy. There needs to be signs of new life in the form of leaves or shoots before repotting it in new soil.
Failing this, you can assume that the time has come to bid goodbye to your old companion while giving thanks for its beauty in life and allowing it to give back as its remains become part of nature’s cycle of life.
Prune the Plant
Pruning your plant is an essential step in ensuring its survival. Start by ruthlessly cutting away any leaves or stems that are obviously dead or dying – this is vital to eliminate any disease and rot on the plant.
Once these have been removed, carefully trim the remaining leaves so that they’re two-thirds of their original size. This will help the energy generated by the sun reach the deeper parts of the plant more effectively, encouraging new growth and revitalizing it.
After you’ve finished pruning, your plant should look significantly healthier, with a much greater chance of surviving in its new environment.
Composting Plants
Composting is a great way to make use of plants that are otherwise too far gone, rather than just throwing them away and creating unnecessary waste.
An easy way to start composting is with the common plant materials we find in our yards:
- Leaves
- Grass clippings
- Twigs
- Branches from trees and shrubs
All of these can be added to your compost pile or bin along with other organic materials like food scraps or coffee grounds. The result?
Nutrient-rich soil that will help nourish new plants as they break through the soil’s surface! Even if some plants simply can’t be saved, you don’t have to let them go to waste. Composting them instead ensures they will still be put to good use.
Make Sure It Doesn’t Happen Again
To make sure your plants’ roots don’t die, there are a few things you can do:
- Be sure to water them regularly and deeply – this will give the roots plenty of moisture and help them stay healthy. Make sure not to overwater, though – too much moisture can cause root rot.
- Make sure the soil they’re planted in is well-draining and contains a healthy mix of organic matter – this will ensure it holds enough nutrients and moisture for the roots to thrive.
- Lastly: you should also be mindful of where you place your plants in your home. Make sure there’s enough light for them
Conclusion
With plants, it’s important to catch signs of distress before it’s too late. This guide can help you discern whether an ailing plant should be added to the compost pile or nursed back to health—the key being healthy roots.
If they have a firm texture and are white or light-colored, your plant might still have some life left in it; however, if they’re brown and mushy, it’s time to bid farewell. But don’t give up on trying to revive a sad little greenery just yet!
A bit of TLC might be enough to bring your beloved (or newly acquired) houseplant back from the brink of death. Don’t hesitate to put shears or scissors to use in order to prune your plant—it may surprise you with its ability to revert right back!
