We all enjoy indoor plants. They add an air of sophistication to our homes, purify the air, get rid of pollutants, and to be frank, they look awesome! But sometimes, after a while, the leaves of our plants start getting yellow, brown, and even crispy. In an attempt to save our plants, we start overwatering them, and over-fertilizing, and instead of helping the plants, we end up damaging them even more.
So, before taking any action, the first thing we need to do is find out what is the reason for these brown-yellowing leaves appear. Most of the time, the leaves of a plant get yellow or brown simply because they are getting old. Although there are many other reasons, one of the most common is because we are overwatering or underwatering our plants.
The easiest way of knowing what is happening to our plants is by checking them thoroughly. By that, I mean to check the plant over and under the leaves. Look for any signs of pests or fungus. If you can't find anything out of the ordinary, then it's time to check the soil.
If the soil stays constantly wet, your plants will let you know through their leaves. The leaves will start getting yellow, mushy, and unhealthy looking. When this happens, it means the roots of your plant are drowning. On the contrary, if the soil stays dry for too long, the leaves start drooping, falling off the plant prematurely, and getting brown and crispy.
So how do we avoid this from happening? First, make sure that the pot you select for your plants has good water drainage. This way, no matter how much water you pour in, all the excess will come out through the drainage holes. Another way of avoiding yellowing-brown leaves is to always check the soil before watering. Dig into the soil at least 2 inches deep. If it’s moist, wait a few more days. If it’s dry, then water it.