Why Your Plants Are Dying: 10 Common Reasons and How to Fix Them
- Tammy Johnson
- May 9
- 6 min read
Written and edited by Tammy 9th May 2025
We’ve all been there. You buy a beautiful healthy plant full of optimism and good intentions, plant it with love, and wait… only to watch it struggle, sulk, or completely check out.
Plants can be a bit mysterious, but usually, there’s a good reason they’re not living their best life. Thankfully it's normally something straight forward and more importantly, an easy fix. Below, I’ve outlined the 10 of the most common causes of plant failure, so you can troubleshoot the problem and get your plants back on track.
Why Your Plants Are Dying: 10 Common Reasons and How to Fix Them
1. Overwatering – When Roots Can’t Breathe
One of the most common reasons plants die is too much water. Poor drainage or heavy clay soil can suffocate plant roots, causing them to rot. Overwatered plants often show yellowing leaves, drooping foliage, or leaf drop. I know that's confusing as underwatered plants can display the same symptoms, but the biggest clue will be that the soil is wet!! Indoor plants potted up into decorative cover pots can easily lead to issues, as they often lack or have inadequate drainage holes.
Fix: Out in your garden, improve drainage with compost, gypsum, or coarse sand. Alternatively, use raised beds or pots with drainage holes.
Ensure automatic watering systems are functioning correctly and not running for too long or too often. For indoor plants, if you're not confident in your judgement, pick up a moisture meter probe from any garden centre or plant nursery, it will eliminate any doubt. Aroids like pothos, monstera and philodendrons love their well-draining, chunky mixes.
Keep indoor plants in a black growers pot inside the cover pot as growers pot have far better drainage.
⸻
2. Underwatering – Hydrophobic Soil and Dry Roots
On the flip side, underwatering and dry soil can prevent roots from absorbing water. Hydrophobic soil repels water and is as unhelpful as it sounds. It's often seen out in the garden when water pools on the soil surface. Some potting mixes, particularly peat moss, are almost impossible to rehydrate once they're too dry. The potting mix shrinks away from the sides of the pot allowing water to drain away too quickly without even touching the soil.
Fix: Apply a wetting agent like Wetta Soil each season to your garden beds, raised beds and containers. Wetta soil breaks down the waxy coating on the surface of the soil that causes it to be non-wetting. Dress garden beds with a generous layer of mulch to hold the moisture in and prevent dehydration. For indoor plants, soak the whole pot in a bucket of water until air bubbles stop rising to surface. If the plant is extremely dehydrated, shrivelled, wilted or the foliage has collapsed, it's absolutely fine to leave it soaking overnight. It may take that long for the plant to rehydrate enough to stand up again.
⸻
3. Nutrient Deficiency – Hungry Plants
If your plant looks pale and yellow, is stunted and just not growing, it might be starving. Nutrient-poor soil, especially in pots, can quickly lead to weak, stunted growth.
Fix: Feed your plants regularly throughout the growing season (generally the warmer months) using a combination of organic slow-release fertilisers, liquid feeds, worm castings, or compost. Layering your plant’s “meals” ensures a steady supply of nutrition, and consequently happier healthy, thriving plants. Fertilisers break down and are available to your plants at different rates so don't fret that you're overdoing it, they won't take it all in at once.
⸻
4. Incorrect Light – Sunburn or Stretching
Light plays a critical role in plant health. Too much sun can burn and scorch leaves, where too little causes leggy, weak growth and a lack of blooms.
Fix: Know your plant’s light requirements. Move shade loving plants out of direct sun and give full sun plants the exposure they need. For indoor plants, “filtered light” means a bright spot without direct sunlight.
⸻
5. Wrong Soil pH – Nutrients Lock up
If your plant isn’t responding to fertiliser despite your best efforts, your soil pH might be off. Soil that’s too acidic or alkaline can block nutrient absorption or result in toxicity.
Fix: Test your soil using a pH test kit or pH meter available from most garden centres. Add garden lime to raise pH (increase alkalinity) or elemental sulphur to lower it (increase acidity). Monitor it regularly to pick up on any changes and amend when required. Matching your soil pH to plants preferences can make all the difference.
⸻
6. Pests and Diseases – Silent Killers
If your plant is spotted, curled, sticky, or being eaten, chances are it’s under attack. Common garden pests include aphids, scale, and mealybugs. Fungal diseases like Black Spot, Rust and Powdery Mildew also cause major setbacks.
Fix: Use neem oil, insecticidal soap, or a strong blast of water to deal with pests.
Encourage beneficials critters like ladybirds as their favourite food source is the aphid!
For fungal issues, try fungicides like lime sulphur or copper, alternatively natural remedies like milk spray can often be just as effective too. Prune regularly to improve airflow and prevent future problems.
⸻
7. Poor Soil Structure – Compaction and Lack of Organic Matter
High traffic areas like your lawn can suffer compaction. If your garden soil is hard, crusty, or drains poorly, plant roots will struggle to grow and absorb water or nutrients.
Fix: Loosen the soil to aerate it with a garden fork. Mix in compost, aged manure, or organic matter to improve texture and fertility. Healthy soil equals healthy plants.
⸻
8. Root-Bound Plants – No Room to Grow
Plants eventually outgrow their pots or run out of space. If roots are circling the base or growing out of drainage holes, your plant may be root-bound or pot-bound.
Fix: Repot into a slightly larger container. Assess the health of the roots and gently tease them out before planting. Outdoors, avoid spacing plants too close together to allow roots room to expand.
⸻
9. Temperature Extremes – Hot or Cold Shock
Frost, heatwaves, or sudden temperature shifts can cause stress, wilting, or even death in sensitive plants.
Fix: Protect tender plants with frost cloth or shade in extreme heat. Avoid planting sensitive species during seasonal transitions. Indoors, keep plants away from heaters, air conditioners, or drafty windows.
⸻
10. Lack of Care and Observation – Plants Need Attention
Plants can’t talk, but they do show signs when something’s wrong.
They have a clever ability to communicate through a complex array of visual cues and physiological changes that can indicate distress or health issues.
Fix: Check your plants often. Look for yellowing, drooping, insect damage, or odd growth. Water only when needed. Prune and tidy regularly. The more time you spend with your plants, the better you’ll understand them, and the faster you’ll spot when something is going on that’s not quite right.
⸻
Your plants aren’t dying for no reason; they’re trying to tell you something. With a little observation and the right response, most issues can be fixed.
Patience is crucial, healing a struggling plant often takes time, as it needs to adjust to any changes you make in its environment or care routine. It might involve gradually altering watering schedules, adjusting light exposure, or even repotting if it has outgrown its current container. During the process, it’s essential to monitor your plant closely, as it may respond positively or negatively to the adjustments you made. Take note of any changes in growth patterns or leaf colouration, as these observations can guide you in fine-tuning your care approach.
Remember, gardening is not just about planting and watering; it’s about building a relationship with nature. Treat your plants with kindness and care, and they’ll reward you in spades.
Happy Gardening 😘🪴
Other posts you might enjoy......
Help! My plant is sick!
Diagnosing what’s wrong with a sick or dying plant can be tricky stuff, they can exhibit a whole host of symptoms that may indicate different underlying issues.
Which fertiliser should I use?
One of the most important jobs at the top of everyone's 'to do list' right now is to feed your gardens.
What is eating my seedlings
The biggest question on every gardener's lips right now is “what is eating my seedlings!?" Working out the answer requires a bit of simple detective work.....
Komentáře