Have you got an Aloe Vera plant that’s very unhappy? Is your Monstera having a monstrous winter? Does your Chinese Money Plant look a little, well, poor?
Yes, even plants known for being easy to care for are liable to have a specific set of needs which, if not met, can cause them to wither and pass away.
That’s why Hammonds Furniture has collaborated with Samantha Jones, gardening and plant expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk to identify four of the most Googled plants and show what warning signs to look out for that indicate the plant isn’t feeling too well.
They’ve also provided tips on how to get things back on track when they start looking a bit sad…
Monstera Deliciosa, AKA the Swiss Cheese Plant
The distinctive Monstera is a very commanding presence in a room – as long as it’s feeling well.
If it isn’t, warning signs to check for are sunburnt leaves (a sign of too much sunlight), yellowing leaves or soft dark brown spots (a sign of overwatering) and brown and crispy edges on the leaves (a sign of dehydration).
These plants can tolerate low light, but will grow faster if they’re placed in bright but indirect sunlight.
‘If the plant is left in the dark, it will exhibit negative phototropism, which is when the leaves grow towards the dark rather than the light,’ said Samantha.
Chinese Money Plant
Similar to the Monstera, this plant will be happiest in bright but indirect sunlight. If they don’t get enough light, they’ll get tall and lanky, but too much light or heat can make their leaves start to curl in and form cup-like shapes.
If the stems droop, that probably means you’re not watering them well enough – these plants should be watered once a week, but make sure the soil is dry first.
Drooping stems and yellowing leaves can mean you have overwatered it, so be careful to look out for both symptoms before upping the plant’s water intake.
Aloe Vera
These hardy plants are able to handle bright sunlight and a low amount of water, given that they store water in their leaves.
Just watch out for dry tips, as that’s a sign it’s getting thirsty.
If leaves start turning pale and yellow or brown, you’re overdoing it, and you need to water it less.
Also look out for brown and mushy leaves, or leaves that are soft to the touch, as that’s also a sign that this water-sensitive plant has been watered too much.
Peace Lily
Peace Lilies have a reputation for being low-maintenance, but they still have a checklist of needs that need to be met.
If your plant is wilting, that’s a sign of dehydration. However, if it’s drooping and its leaves are yellow, that means it’s seen too much water – these plants need to be watered around once a week, but the soil needs to be dry.
Samantha says you should use filtered water if possible, as watering them with tap water can result in brown leaf tips.
Meanwhile, dry flowers or scorched leaves is a sign that your Peace Lily is getting too much sun.
You’d be best moving the plant to an east-facing window as, according to Samantha, the plant will be the happiest seeing soft morning light and being shielded from the often harsher afternoon sun.
They also like a good misting every few days and hate draughty areas, so would be happiest in a bathroom.
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