DIAGNOSING HOUSEPLANT PROBLEMS: How to keep plants out of the ICU Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service — Galveston County Office
"Indoor gardening" can be an enjoyable and relaxing endeavor and, in some cases, can even help remove cer tain indoor air pollutants. July 17, 2013 Studies have affirmed the calming effects real plants have on us in our environ ment, indoors or outdoors (pictured above are African violets).
PHOTO BY William M. Johnson
They're called plants, they seem to need with me. I took them home "houseplants" but not one to spend too much time and a few weeks later, they grows natively in houses. in the Intensive Care were dead and well on So really, we are asking Unit! their way to the great com‐ quite a lot of such plants in post pile in the sky. Dr. William Johnson is a our pursuit to cultivate As with our own health horticulturist with the Galveston County Office them within the artificial and well‐being, prompt That was some years ago. of Texas A&M AgriLife environment of our mod‐ recognition of plant ail‐ Fast forward to earlier this Extension Service. Visit ern‐day homes. While ments is very essential spring. Clyde Holt, a good his website at some houseplants are and prompt correction or friend and a Master Gar‐ http://aggie- quick to adjust to a home's modification of the prob‐ dener, had a colorful col‐ horticulture.tamu.edu/ environment, others strug‐ lem causing the condition lection of African violets on galveston. gle along suffering from is likewise essential. display at an educational one problem after another. program on propagation. News column printed in I offer a personal experi‐ When he offered a plant to the Galveston Daily ence on this matter. I had News, The Post, and "Indoor gardening" can be me, I commented to him other Galveston County an enjoyable and relaxing convinced myself over about my experience with Newspapers. endeavor and, in some the years that it was not this particular houseplant cases, can even help re‐ possible for me to grow and intended to pass on his move certain indoor air African violets. My gradu‐ offer to share. pollutants. Not surpris‐ ate school advisor had a ingly, one or more growing sizable and amazing col‐ The next week Clyde de‐ problems may enter the lection of African violets posits a “gardener’s gift” of picture. A friend of mine that he grew in his home. a potted African violet on who is a medical doctor I guess I was so amazed my office desk. Clyde pro‐ recently told me that while at his collection that he vided me with information he really enjoys house‐ shared two potted plants on how to water and fertil‐ Page 2 DIAGNOSING HOUSEPLANT PROBLEMS: How to keep plants out of the ICU ize the plants as well as where to wilt: Excessive watering. Roots ac‐ "burn"; however, can also be the place the plant for best light expo‐ tually drown, plant vigor drops and result of chemical injury. When wa‐ sure. infection may occur. Growth of tering plants, avoid splashing water green moss or algae on top of the on foliage of sensitive species. I have amassed a bit more horticul‐ soil is another good indicator of Sometimes the water temperature tural experience and wisdom since over‐watering. is too cold, even when it comes grad school days so I was willing to from the tap especially during the give it another try. As with house‐ Leaves die at tips or around winter. plants in general, knowing how to edges: Again, a water problem— water is essential. I had to relocate either low soil moisture or low hu‐ "Things" crawling on leaves: the African violet from a west win‐ midity. A very common problem. Red spider mites (which cause dow during spring to a north win‐ Fluoride and chlorine in treated specked yellow areas on the upper dow when summer arrived (due to water can also cause this condition side of leaves), mealybugs and scale changing light intensity). on certain houseplant species. insects (which secrete honeydew Plants may be rootbound. Build‐up causing black, sooty mold on Visitors to my office have typically of fertilizer salts can also cause this leaves) do the most serious damage commented on the robustness of (see following section). indoors. Insecticides intended for my African violet as it usually has use on houseplants are available at an abundance of beautiful blue White crust on outside of clay your favorite nursery. Use these flowers (see accompanying photo). pots and on soil surface: These strictly according to label directions are accumulated mineral salts left and, again, it is always a good idea Here are 10 of the most common behind as soil moisture evaporates. to test the chemical spray on a leaf symptoms reflecting ailments of Minerals contain in tap water and or two a few days before spraying houseplants with probable causes fertilizers are the prime sources. A the entire plant. for each: thorough leaching of the soil with water will usually take care of this Disease spots on leaves, stems: Plants stretched, spindly with situation, at least temporarily. Your plant may have a disease leaves sparsely spaced: This indi‐ When watering houseplants, be problem, but it is likely the result of cates that light conditions are too sure to provide sufficient water to one of the other items previously dark, or that the plant is receiving permit some outflow through the mentioned. Diseases of houseplants too much water and/or too much drainage holes of the container to are fairly uncommon, partially be‐ fertilizer. help reduce accumulation of exces‐ cause sources of inoculation are sive salts. limited indoors. Lower leaves drop: This can be expected for certain types of plants Plants refuse to flower: Could be Armed with your newly found grown under indoor conditions low light or improper fertilizer knowledge of what can go wrong (Dracaena, rubber plants, ficus and (especially excessive applications of with plants in the home, let's hope several others, for example). Sud‐ nitrogen). Many outdoor flowers that at best you'll never need to den changes in light intensity can (geraniums, chrysanthemums, be‐ make a diagnosis and, in the least, cause leaf droppage in any plant. It gonias, for example) don't prosper you can keep them out of the ICU. may also point to prolonged under‐ under low light conditions indoors. fertilization or under‐watering. Some plants (kalanchoes, chrysan‐ Whether it’s African violets or an‐ themums, Christmas cactus, and other houseplant, become ac‐ Leaves bleached or blotted: Usu‐ poinsettias) must have long, dark quainted with its needs, and your ally too much light. This is often a periods at night to set buds and problems will likely be few! problem in the summer when flowers. plants are first set out on the patio in excessive sunlight. Spotting on leaves: Can be a par‐ ticular problem on African violets Stems rotted, decayed, or plants and their relatives. Usually water