Indoor plants can brighten up your home and improve air quality—but what if they keep dying, no matter how much you care for them? You’re not alone. Many Indian plant lovers face the same issue due to our unique climate and home environments. Let’s explore the most common reasons and how you can save your plants before it's too late.
🌤️ 1. Too Much Direct Sunlight
In India, especially during summer, direct sunlight through windows can scorch leaves.
Solution:
Place your plants near east-facing windows or filter the light using sheer curtains. Plants like peace lilies, ferns, and ZZ plants prefer indirect sunlight.
💧 2. Overwatering (Especially During Monsoon)
One of the most common mistakes. Our instinct is to water often, but Indian humidity slows down evaporation, which can cause root rot.
Solution:
Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Use breathable pots with drainage holes. Add perlite or pumice to the soil for better drainage.
🪨 3. Wrong Potting Mix
Standard garden soil doesn’t work well for indoor plants. It becomes compact and holds too much moisture—bad for roots.
Solution:
Use a mix designed for potted plants:
30–40% Coco Coir (moisture retention)
20–30% Perlite/Pumice (drainage)
20–30% Orchid Bark (airflow)
10–20% Vermicompost (nutrition)
Add charcoal to fight rot. We offer ready-to-use potting mixes at Soiled.in.
🚫 4. No Drainage or Wrong Pot Size
Pots without drainage holes cause standing water. Also, if the pot is too big, soil stays wet longer.
Solution:
Always use pots with drainage holes. Repot when roots peek out or growth slows. Don’t “overpot”—go just one size up.
🐛 5. Ignoring Pests
Pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats thrive in warm, indoor environments.
Solution:
Wipe leaves with neem oil every 2–3 weeks. Use yellow sticky traps for gnats. If infestation is serious, isolate the plant and treat immediately.
🌫️ 6. Low Humidity Indoors (Especially in AC Rooms)
Tropical plants need humidity. Indian homes with AC or dry winters can make leaves turn brown or crispy.
Solution:
Mist your plants (but not succulents), group them together, or place a tray with water and pebbles nearby. Bathrooms with indirect light are great for humidity-loving plants.
🕯️ 7. Poor Light or Wrong Placement
Some plants need more light than you think. Others get too much if placed too close to harsh light.
Solution:
Know your plant's light needs. Snake plants, ZZ plants, and aglaonemas can handle low light. But calatheas, alocasias, and philodendrons need medium to bright indirect light.
🌱 Bonus: How to Save a Dying Plant
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Check the Roots: Mushy roots = overwatering. Trim them and repot in fresh mix.
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Cut Dead Leaves: Let the plant focus energy on surviving parts.
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Repot Carefully: Don’t fertilize a stressed plant. Give it filtered light and time.
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Be Patient: Recovery takes days or weeks, not hours.
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