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Index : Container Plants & Patio Gardening
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- 27. Problems With Plants in Pots - Top
- Hot and dry conditions in the desert Southwest, present special challenges to growing plants in containers. Outdoor potted plants are particularly vulnerable, but so too are indoor plants. Here are some of our most common pot plant problems; their causes and solutions:
Wilting plants indicate water problems. Not enough water, causes the entire plant to wilt.Leaves turn brown, starting at the edges and tips. Even green leaves may drop if the drought stress is sudden and severe.
If you water frequently, but water runs quickly through the pot, it's probably not being absorbed into the soil. Many potting mixes contain a large amount of peat moss. As they dry, they shrink, and water flows through the gap between the pot and soil. You'll need to re-wet and expand the soil, using a soap solution.
Soapy water helps dried out potting soil reabsorb water. Make a soap solution by mixing ½ teaspoon of liquid dish washing detergent in a gallon of water. Slowly pour this solution in the center of the pot. After the soil has been thoroughly moistened, be sure to water often enough to keep the soil from drying out again.
Sudden yellowing of leaves, especially on plants such as weeping fig and philodendron, usually results from a sudden change in the environment. Moving a plant to a new location can mean drastic changes in light and temperature. Avoid these sudden moves. If you must relocate a plant, find a place where the light levels and temperatures are similar.
Sometimes environmental changes can occur without even moving the plant. A north facing window may provide adequate light in the summer. But as we move into fall, days shorten and light intensity drops. Plants that were happy in a north facing window may need to be relocated to an eastern exposure or near a south or west facing window.
Dusty leaves could mean it's time to get out the pledge. More likely, it indicates the presence of spider mites. These tiny pests, the size of a pin-head, are related to spiders. They spin tiny webs over the leaves, mostly on the undersides, giving the leaves a dusty appearance. They suck the fluids from the leaves, turning them a stippled yellow color.
Spider mites are most commonly found on potted palms but can attack other types of potted plants. When looking for spider mites, use a magnifying lens, or shake suspicious-looking leaves over a white sheet of paper. If the dust crawls, you've got spider mites. Use a soap spray to kill them.
Insecticidal soaps can be purchased at your local garden center, or you can make your own. Any liquid dish washing soap will do, but University of Arizona experts have found Dawn to be the most effective. Whatever brand you use, avoid the lemon scented types. These can damage plants. To make your spray, mix 1/4 teaspoon of liquid soap in one gallon of water. Use a misting bottle to spray the plant, making sure to cover both the top and bottom of the leaves.
The simple act of keeping plant leaves clean will also help prevent problems with spider mites and other insects like mealy bugs and scale. Dusting leaves, misting them or washing them off with a mild soap solution will keep them clean and shiny. Don't use pledge or other furniture polishes, but you can make plant leaves shine by using plant leaf polishes. These are available at garden centers and nurseries and are safe to use on plants.
If you leave on vacation, make provisions for your potted plants. Best of all, have a friend or neighbor tend to them. If this isn't possible, the day before you leave, move your plants to a darker location. Less light causes a slowing of plant functions, which means less water consumption. Water plants thoroughly, and fill drainage saucers to allow water to be absorbed back into the soil as it drys. If you will be gone for more than a few days, cover your plants with clear plastic bags, to create a greenhouse effect. Poke some holes in the bag to vent excess moisture.
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Written by John Begeman, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Arizona 626-5161. Material originally appeared in Arizona Daily Star gardening column, on September 8, 1998
- Updated: April 20, 2001
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