8 Causes of Dying Plants in Pots/Containers and How to Fix Them?

The task of keeping plants alive can be challenging for many gardeners, whether they are gardening indoors or outdoors. There are many reasons a plant may die, but some basic things can keep them alive and thriving. Sometimes, a healthy-looking plant can decline and die within a few days, even when there are no obvious signs of trouble. Your potted plants can die for several reasons. The following details will help you fix the issue.

8 Causes of Dying Plants in Pots/Containers

Due to Poor Potting Soil

If you use poor potting soil for your plant, it will stunt its growth and even die. If the soil has heavy clay or sand content, this may happen. In areas with a lot of clay, the soil does not drain well, causing overwatering. Water will drain quickly from sand-filled soil and cause underwatering if it contains a lot of sand.

You can plant the plant in good potting soil if it already suffers. To remove the plant, hold it at the base with one hand and tap gently on the pot. Good potting soil can be added in place of the poor soil. Once that is done, add good soil and place the plant back. Once you have done this, water the soil well. If the plant doesn’t recover after a few days, check on it.

Getting Too Much or Too Little Sunlight

Sunlight is good for plants, but some don’t like it too much. Plants, such as ferns, can easily be burned up by the sun, even if it isn’t as intense and coming through a window. You should check what light your plant tolerates before putting it in the full sun or a window with direct sunlight. Don’t waste your time looking it up. Many plants prefer indirect sunlight and do not want to be in a hot spot.

Without sunlight, they cannot produce their food, which can even result in death. Ensure that the plant receives enough sunlight. If you want to know sunlight requirements, you can check online. You could have full sunlight (at least 6-8 hours), partial sunlight (4-6 hours), or shade. A location with adequate sunlight can be chosen for the potted plant. Check if it recovers after a few days.

Due to Incorrect Watering

Underwatering

If your plant’s soil or potting mix frequently dries out, especially if it wilts or shows brown or dying leaves or shoots, it isn’t getting enough water. The plant will likely die if this continues to happen. The problem is compounded if the soil or potting mix is dry and hard to rewet. All plants need regular watering, especially those in containers and those growing under eaves sheltered from rain. Water your plants if they are dry instead of waiting for rain to fall. Plants may even need to be watered several times a day on hot days.

Overwatering

Especially for plants in indoor and outdoor containers, too much water will be harmful as too little. Before watering again, ensure the soil or potting mix begins to dry out. You can use your fingers to determine whether the soil is wet or dry beneath the surface. Check that drainage holes allow water to drain from plant saucers, as most plants do not thrive in wet or waterlogged soil.

Due to No Repotting

Repotted plants might need to be reconsidered if you haven’t done so for a very long time. When potted plants grow too large or become pot-bound, they must be replanted. When your indoor plant dies due to no repotting or repotting after becoming too pot-bound, it is likely due to lack of repotting. It is a sign that the houseplant needs repotting if there is little or no growth or if the growing medium is rapidly drying out. If roots grow from the drainage holes or the top, check them. Spring and summer are good times to repot your plant.

In case you missed it: 8 Causes of Dying Hibiscus Plants and How to Fix Them?

Due to Stress Affecting the Potted Vegetable Plant

Your potted plants may die if they are under stress. Environmental factors like strong winds, cold, high temperatures, or transplant shock may stress your potted plants. If they last a little while, some might temporarily affect the potted plant. When plants are exposed to strong winds or high heat, their leaves may wilt or curl up. As the weather improves, they will return to their original health.

If the plants get too cold, they will not recover and freeze, resulting in death. Plant the seedlings in pots in your garden after they have been hardened off. You can achieve this by keeping the seedlings outside for a limited time daily and bringing them back inside. When you do this, keep them out of direct sunlight, wind, or rainy conditions. This will prepare the seedlings for transplant without any problems after a week.

Due Lack Of Nutrients

Potted plants need many nutrients to thrive, and a lack of them may result in their death. Ensure you understand your vegetable plants’ needs before you begin growing them. They require a lot of nutrients after they germinate. Preparing potting soil requires adding organic compost or fertilizer, slowly releasing nutrients. Once the plant germinates, the nutrients are present in the soil.

Add compost or fertilizer to the potting soil when the plant grows every month. Plants can benefit from slow-release fertilizers that release nutrients when watered. For a quick release of nutrients, you can spray a liquid fertilizer on the plant. To boost nutrients in the potted plant, you should add liquid fertilizer if it already lacks nutrients. Fertilizer burn can occur when you apply too much fertilizer, which causes your plant’s roots to die.

Due to Fertilizer Burn

Plants grown in pots or other containers can suffer serious problems if they receive too much fertilizer or the wrong kind. If you want to fertilize potted plants, check the product label instructions to see if it’s listed for use on potted plants and can be used on the type of plant you want. Following the application instructions on the label will ensure the right fertilizer amounts are applied.

The soil can be flushed out if you have already applied too much or the wrong fertilizer. For a few minutes, run water slowly over the soil with the end of a garden hose until water has drained from the bottom. The same process should be repeated an hour later.

Diseases Infecting the Potted Plant

Diseases can infect your potted plants, causing them to die. The plant’s foliage, roots, or internal structure may be affected by fungal, bacterial, or viral diseases. Fungal disease can be treated by trimming the infected parts of the plant, and the plant will recover. Use an antifungal solution such as neem or horticultural oil to treat it.

In case you missed it: Top 8 Simple Steps to Germinate Marigold Seeds

Rather than treating these fungal diseases after they have occurred, it is better to prevent them in the first place. Your potted plants can be protected from humid conditions by keeping them dry. If you are watering the plant, don’t splash water on its foliage. Keep the foliage well-ventilated. Ensure that drainage holes are present for good drainage.

Conclusion

You can experience it regardless of how much care you give your garden plants. There are times when you can give a low-maintenance plant everything it needs, and it dies. There is a possibility of bringing something back to life always. If your potted plant is dying, you should take a few measures to revive it before it’s too late. We’ve provided a few tips for reviving a potted plant. We hope you find this information helpful.

8 Causes of Dying Plants in Pots/Containers and How to Fix Them?