If your Money Tree has started drooping down then this definitely means something isn’t quite right with either its environment or your care routine. However, you’ll be pleased to know that drooping stems are one of the earlier signs of trouble so if there are no other visible issues with your plant, then chances are you’ve caught the problem early which is great.

In this article, we will go through the most common reasons why Money Trees can start drooping and go through how to treat and prevent each issue.

Overwatering commonly causes a Money Tree to droop

Overwatering is one of the biggest and most concerning problems in the houseplant world as it can cause a whole range of issues that some plants can not recover from. The reason for this is that consistently soggy soil can very quickly lead to root rot which means the plant is unable to take up nutrients and water from the soil. This leaves your Money Tree quite droopy and unstable.

However, drooping leaves and stems are one of the earlier signs of trouble so if the leaves are still quite green and healthy then the problem should not be so advanced.

To confirm whether overwatering is the cause of your droopy Money Tree, check the moisture in the soil. You can do this using the finger or chopstick method, by using a moisture meter or by removing your plant from its pot. The latter allows you also to inspect the root system to see if it has started to rot.

To fix the issue, replace any waterlogged potting mix right away and trim away any rotten roots. This prevents there being any further damage and encourages the root system to recover and grow new healthy toots.

In future, adjust your watering schedule to avoid repeating the problem and over the next few weeks, you should start to see your Money Tree improve. It takes a little longer for the plant to recover from overwatering than some other issues due to the damage to the root system so be patient and keep a close eye on your plant.

A drooping Money Tree can also suggest underwatering

The strange (and often frustrating) thing about drooping leaves on a Money Tree is that as well as too much water, the issue can also be caused by a lack of moisture too. This is because both extremes will cause damage to the root system, leading to droopy stems and leaves.

If you have caught the issue early, there may be no other signs of unhappiness. However, if the issue has gone on for a while then you might spot dry crispy brown leaves, leaf tips or stagnant growth.

If the leaves of your Money Tree are quite dry as well as drooping down, then we suspect that a lack of water is the culprit. However, before you start pouring buckets of water over your plant, you need to make sure that this is really the cause of the drooping leaves on your Money Tree.

As with overwatering, we recommend checking the moisture in the soil, either using the finger method to test how moist the potting mix is or by removing the plant from the pot. If the soil is dry and feels sandy, and the roots look a little crispy and shrivelled, then underwatering is likely the cause.

How to fix an underwatered Money Tree:

1. Give your plant a short soak

   Fill up a container with fresh temperate water and place your plant in there for about 10 minutes. This will allow the water to soak into the potting mix and allow your plant to take in what it needs but no more.

2. Slowly reintroduce watering.

   Then for the next week or so, slowly reintroduce watering by giving your plant a little every other day. This ensures that the potting mix and root system become moist but not waterlogged.

3. Adjust your watering schedule moving forward

   You want to either be watering your Money Tree more deeply each time you do or increase the frequency of watering. It’s also important to adjust your watering schedule depending on the seasons. Using a moisture meter can help with this.

Too little sunlight could also be to blame

If watering issues don’t seem to be the cause of your plant’s issues then it may possibly be light levels that need monitoring. Another cause of drooping Money Tree leaves is a lack of sunlight.

Whilst Money Trees can adapt to some lower light areas, there is a limit and especially during the winter months, your Money Tree will struggle with a severe lack of light.

The best thing to do is move your Money Tree to a spot in your home that gets bright but indirect light. Avoid anywhere too close to windows during summer as your plant will struggle with intense direct sunlight. After a few weeks, you should start to see the leaves bounce back.

You may need to think about moving your plant around depending on the seasons so that you are maximising on the light in winter but moving it further away from intense light in summer. If you aren’t able to move your Money Tree to a sunnier spot, then we recommend buying a LED grow light to supplement light levels. They are a really good investment all around as not only can they aid with growth in summer but can also be used for propagating and cultivating seeds and cuttings.

Drooping leaves can also indicate pests

One more worrying cause of a droopy Money Tree which we felt important to mention is a pest infestation. This will be more common if your plant has spent any time outside but can still happen to houseplants too.

The first thing to do if pests are a possibility is to isolate your plant away from your other houseplants to stop any spread of the pests. Then inspect your plant very closely looking for pests on the leaves and in the potting mix. It’s also important to look for signs of pests (brown or yellow spots, holes in the leaves or white webbing across the stems).

If you do find pests or signs of them then check over each of your other houseplants. Then remove the worst affected leaves and replace the entire potting mix to curb the infestation. Then wash down the leaves and soil in the shower using warm water and wipe over them with a clean cloth. We also recommend treating your Money Tree with neem oil and a natural insecticide.

Those are the most common reasons why Money Trees can start drooping down. Once you have diagnosed what is wrong and started treating the issue, it’s crucial that you keep a very close eye on your plant over the coming weeks.

You want to make sure not only that you’ve made the right diagnosis but also that the treatment is having a positive impact on your plant. Depending on how long the issue has been going on, you should expect to see your Money Tree slowly undrooping over the next couple of weeks.

Take a look through our Money Tree care guide for more information on how to properly care for your plant.

Sometimes the most beautiful houseplants are also super easy to care for, however, that’s not the case for Maidenhair Ferns whose picky care requirements can leave even the most experienced plant parent baffled.

If your Maidenhair Fern has turned brown then there is definitely something wrong and there are several factors that may have caused this. In this post, we will be going through each of the different causes of brown leaves on Maidenhair Ferns, as well as how to fix the issue and prevent it from happening again.

Low humidity levels

If your Maidenhair Fern has brown leaves then our number 1 port of call tends to be a lack of humidity. They are a lot more sensitive to this than the majority of other houseplants as their leaves are just so delicate. Maidenhair Ferns really struggle in homes with quite dry air, and the problem is 10 times worse in winter where heating and a lack of ventilation really dries out the air in our homes.

But don’t worry, if the brown leaves on your Maidenhair Fern are caused by a lack of humidity then there are some really easy and cheap solutions that will instantly get your Maidenhair Fern looking fresher.

Mist the leaves every day

This is one of the easiest ways to increase the humidity for your Maidenhair Fern and solve the issue of brown leaves. Mist the leaves once a day to stop them from drying out. We recommend that you mist the leaves in the morning so that there’s enough time for the water to evaporate off the leaves before the temperature drop. If the leaves are still wet when in cold temperatures, it can cause the leaves to rot which is a whole other problem.

Give your Maidenhair Fern a shower

One simple thing you can do to instantly boost the humidity for your Maidenhair Fern and stop the leaves from turning brown is showering your plant. Regularly washing your plant down with water also gets rid of dust and potential pests that might be on your plant so we recommend doing it every few months regardless of any brown eaves or other issues.

There are a few really important rules to remember when washing your Maidenhair Fern down. Firstly, never use really hot or cold water as this will shock your plant and can very quickly burn the leaves. The second rule is to have very very low water pressure. Maidenhair Ferns have super delicate leaves and stems so this prevents them from getting damaged.

Placement

If you have good light levels (and enough space) in your kitchen or your bathroom then we recommend moving your Maidenhair Fern in there. The humidity level in both of those rooms is often higher than in other areas of your home because of the steam released when showering and cooking.

Buy a humidifier

If you want to take all the worries away from keeping a steady humidity level for your Maidenhair Fern and prevent any more brown leaves from developing, then buying a humidifier is the best option for you. Humidifiers can be really affordable and will raise the humidity without you really needing to do much.

If you want to know more about how to raise the humidity for your Maidenhair Fern then check out our humidity guide.

Over-fertilisation

Although slightly less common, we must mention overfertilization as a cause of brown Maidenhair Fern leaves as they are just so much more susceptible to this compared to most other houseplants. Maidenhair Fern plants really don’t need much fertiliser and you can even skip it altogether if you’d prefer. At most, you want to be fertilising a couple of times throughout the growth period of spring and summer and not at all during the dormant period (autumn and winter). If you are fertilising more than this, or not diluting the fertiliser, then it could be the cause of the brown leaves on your Maidenhair Fern.

If you have been using fertiliser dissolved in the water, then it’s an easy fix as you just stop adding it in. However, if you have been using slow-release fertiliser within the soil then remove the spikes or replace the potting mix if it is mixed in with it

Extreme temperatures

Another common cause of brown leaves on Maidenhair Ferns is hotspots. This happens when your plant is right next to a window where sunlight increases the temperature dramatically. It can also occur if your Maidenhair Fern is too close to a radiator or heating vent. To check whether the brown leaves on your Maidenhair Fern are caused by extreme temperatures, pick up a digital thermometer to keep track of temperature changes throughout the day.

This one is quite an easy fix as you should simply move your Maidenhair Fern to a spot in your home that isn’t as hot. This will mean the plant won’t dry out as quickly and the leaves won’t turn brown.

Underwatering

Another cause of brown Maidenhair Fern leaves can be consistent underwatering. Because they have such delicate stems and leaves, Maidenhair Ferns need some level of moisture in the soil and will struggle as soon as the potting mix dries out. This requires you to be quite on top of their watering schedule as brown leaves can occur quite quickly with Maidenhair Ferns.

It’s important to ensure that your Maidenhair Fern is actually being underwatered before you change anything about your care routine. You don’t want to start watering it more if it doesn’t need it as too much water will damage your Maidenhair Fern. To check that underwatering is the cause of the brown leaves, take your plant out of its pot to inspect the root system and potting mix or use a moisture meter.

If your Maidenhair Fern is suffering from a lack of water, slowly reintroduce water to your plant rather than drowning it. Water them once a day for a week and this should help your Maidenhair Fern get back to its normal self.

Natural ageing

If you notice your Maidenhair Fern developing a few brown leaves here and there that is nothing to worry about. It’s simply your plant shedding some older leaves so it can focus its efforts on new healthy and bigger growth.

If you have quite a mature Maidenhair Fern and you have spotted brown spots on the leaves, these are most likely spores. Double-check that these aren’t scale insects as they can look similar. However, it is most likely that the brown spots are spores that are used to propagate your Maidenhair Fern. These are nothing to worry about and even mean that you can experiment a little with growing new ferns which is pretty cool.

Those are the most common reasons why Maidenhair Ferns develop brown leaves. We recommend inspecting your plant carefully, as well as the care routine and environment that it’s in to determine what’s causing the brown leaves. After making any changes, keep a close eye on your Maidenhair Fern to see if the problem is improving.

To find out more about how to care for your plant, as well as other common issues and propagation methods, check out our Maidenhair Fern care guide.

Kentia palms are great, slow growing indoor houseplant. There’s nothing worse than seeing the larger, old leaves or new growth coming through yellow instead of lovely deep green, so we found out what can cause that yellowing so it doesn’t happen to yours. Yellowing in the leaves of kentia palms is generally down to; improper lighting, incorrect watering practices, nutrient issues or just plain ageing of the plant.

Proper Lighting

Most kentia palms are grown in slightly shaded nurseries so they can survive indoors. However, naturally they grow in bright sunlight meaning they can deal with a whole range of light conditions. Everything apart from low light though so make sure they get adequate light throughout the day. They may take some time to adapt to their new light conditions, so if you plan on moving it into a brighter spot do slower move it over a couple of weeks. This will reduce the risk of the leaves suddenly burning. Using a light meter can take the guesswork out of knowing how much light is right for your Kentia Palm.

Watering issues can cause yellow leaves

As with a lot of things in the houseplant world, proper watering is an integral part of the puzzle. Palms that are kept indoors in slightly cooler climates and lower light won’t need excessive amounts of water. Keeping the soil evenly moist is a good bet, but they’ll do okay getting a little drier. Both too much and too little water can be a cause of yellowing leaves, so getting this right is pretty integral.

One of the simplest ways to make sure you’re watering correctly is the finger rule. Press one of your fingers around 1″ into the soil. If the soil is completely dry then you’re under-watering. If it’s super soggy, then you’re giving a little too much water. We also recommend using a moisture meter if you aren’t sure how moist the soil is as this is the most reliable way to tell if your Palm needs watering.

We’ve always gone for a little and often view towards watering. We’d recommend picking up your palm when it’s in need of watering and after you’ve watered it, this way you get a feel for when it might need a little more simply by giving it a little lift.

Yellow leaves can indicate poor drainage

Stagnant water in the bottom of the palms pot can leave the soil waterlogged. It’s important to make sure that the pot you’re using for your palm has sufficient drainage holes that aren’t blocked up and any decorative pots they’re sat in aren’t holding excess water.

You can very easily increase the amount of drainage in your palms by mixing in a little perlite with the soil, this will make it far easier for water to flow through and out of the drainage holes of the pot. Another easy step is to add a few small stones or pebbles to the bottom of your pots, this helps in making sure that the drainage holes are never blocked by soil or debris.

If you are using plastic pots then we also recommend switching to terracotta pots. These will allow some of the excess water to evaporate out of the sides of the pot if you accidentally overwater. We love these from Amazon.

Normal Growth & Ageing

One reason for yellowing leaves that we can’t put aside is simply that your palm is getting older. If the issues are towards the bottom of the palm and specifically with the older fronds then it’s not too much of a concern to the overall health. Generally, you should only be concerned if young or even new leaves are turning yellow, this could suggest some nutrient deficiencies.

Yellow leaves can also be caused by nutrient issues

Ideally, your kentia should be kept in a good, nutrient-dense soil with some mixed in compost. This should supply all of the essential nutrients for the development of new growth and continued health of the plant. If you spot that new growth is yellow or white then there are definitely some issues with the nutrient balance in the soil. While growth is a sign of nitrogen deficiency and yellow is a sign of a lack of magnesium, manganese, iron or potassium issues. If this is happening to your palm, try repotting with a high-quality potting mix. You’ll also want to use a well-balanced liquid fertiliser like this one from Miracle Gro to ensure your Kentia Palm is getting the right mix of nutrients.

To find out more about Kentia Palm care, visit our guide. There you will find everything you need to know to keep your Kentia Palm healthy and thriving as well as tips and tricks around propagation, fertilisation and repotting.

With their large gracious long leaves, these Palms are relatively hardy plants compared to a lot of houseplant types. However, this doesn’t mean that they are immune to the common issues that so often happen. If you find that your Kentia Palm has started drooping then this definitely means that something isn’t quite right.

In this article, we will be going through each of the main causes of a droopy Kentia Palm as well as methods to diagnose the problems and treat them effectively.

Overwatering is a common cause of a drooping Kentia Palm

Consistent overwatering will mean the leaves on your Kentia Palm will start to droop as their roots begin to rot and turn mushy in the waterlogged soil. You won’t often see any issues with just overwatering once in a while but if you don’t let the potting mix dry out then over time this will start to harm your plant quite severely. Kentia Palms need to be watered no more than once a week in the hottest months of the year, and less frequently in autumn and winter.

If you think that you may have overwatered your plant, confirm by checking the soil and root system. If the soil is waterlogged, replace it with fresh dry mix and trim away any rotten roots. Don’t wait for the potting mix to dry up over naturally as this risks further damage. It’s also important that you are very careful when removing the soil from the roots as you don’t want to cause any further damage to an already sensitive plant.

Moving forward, to avoid the issue happening again, make sure to check the moisture in the soil before you water your Kentia Palm. There are a few really easy methods to check the soil moisture. Firstly, use the finger or chopstick method or secondly use a moisture meter. With other houseplant types, we also recommend lifting your plant up but as Kentia Palms get pretty large, you don’t want to risk hurting yourself.

A drooping Kentia Palm can also suggest underwatering

What’s strange about drooping plants is that both overwatering and underwatering can have the same impact. This is because the root system becomes damaged at both extremes.

Kentia Palms can be forgiving if you forget to water them occasionally, but if the problem goes on for several months you’ll start to notice issues. Alongside drooping stems, you may notice crispy brown leaf tips or leaves, stagnant growth and leaf drop.

How do I know if underwatering is the cause of the drooping leaves?

There are a few key indicators you should look for to determine whether underwatering is causing your Kentia Palm’s leaves to droop down.

1. The leaves are dry and crispy

   Along with drooping leaves, if the leaves on your Kentia Palm are also very dry, crispy or break easily if touched, then you are probably underwatering your Palm. If the issue goes on for a while you may also see that the leaves are starting to turn brown.

2. The potting mix is dry

   An easy way to see if the drooping leaves are caused by underwatering is by taking the plant out of its pot and inspecting the potting mix. If the soil feels very dry to touch, almost like dust, and doesn’t stick to your fingers, the roots or the pot then your plant needs more water. It will also appear quite light in colour.

3. The soil is coming away from the sides of the pot

   This is a great method to be able to tell if your plant is being underwatered just by looking at it. As the soil dries out it will compact and come away from the pot.

4. Use a moisture meter

   This is the most accurate way of measuring soil moisture. You simply pop them in the soil and it will tell you how much moisture is in the soil so you can be 100% sure you are watering your plants correctly. A must-have for every plant parent!

How do I fix an underwatered Kentia Palm?

Your first instinct may be to drown your Kentia Palm in water to stop the leaves from drooping and make up for all the times it went without water. However, if your Kentia Palm’s environment changes very suddenly it can cause your plant to go into shock (yes plants can be pretty adverse to change as well!

Instead, you want to slowly reintroduce watering by giving your Palm a little once a day for one week. This will slowly dampen the soil but won’t shock your plant and you should start to see your plant returning to full health. In future, try increasing either how deeply you water your Kentia Palm each time or increasing the frequency of watering.

Cold temperatures could also be to blame

Another potential cause of drooping leaves on a Kentia Palm is extremely cold temperatures. They need warm environments to properly thrive and can get quite shocked and damaged by cold air and drafts. Whilst this won’t cause your plant to droop from one day to the next, if the issue persists you will start to notice issues developing.

There are two main things to watch out for when it comes to cold airstreams and drafts. Firstly, small cracks in windows and external doors can expose your plant to some really cold temperatures at night so make sure that you draft-proof any windows or doors that are close to your Kentia Palm. Secondly, make sure that your plant isn’t too close to any air conditioning vents as whilst the cool air is a nice break from the heat for you, it can cause some issues for your plant.

Pests are a concerning cause of a drooping Kentia Palm

Whilst this is a rarer issue (especially for plants that are always indoors), pests can take hold of your plant and cause several problems including drooping leaves and stems. However, if you catch the problem early, you can have a lot of success fighting against the pests.

The first thing to do is isolate your plant away from your other houseplants to stop any pests that might be living on your plant from spreading across your urban jungle. Then inspect your plant closely to spot any further signs of pests. These include yellow or brown spots on the leaves, holes in the leaves or white webbing across the stems. You also want to, of course, look out for actual pests themselves though using a magnifying glass will help you with this one.

If you do spot any pests (or signs of them), cut away the worst affected leaves and replace the potting mix to curb the infestation. Then wash down the leaves and soil in the shower using warm water and wipe over them with a clean cloth. We also recommend treating your Kentia Palm with neem oil and an insecticide.

Those are the most common causes of a drooping Kentia Palm. As there are a few different causes, we recommend going through each one whilst inspecting your plant and its potting mix and trying to eliminate them one by one. Then, once you’ve made the appropriate changes to either its environment or the care you’re giving your plant, keep a close eye on it for the next few weeks to ensure things are improving.

Check out our Kentia Palm care guide to learn more about how to keep your plant happy and healthy!

We have a love-hate relationship with Jewel Orchids because although they have incredible veined leaves, they can be a little fussy to care for and are quite particular about their environment. This can mean they can start dying pretty quickly if something is wrong.

Whether your issue is brown leaves, leaf loss, stagnant growth or a wilting plant, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we will go through each of the main reasons why your Jewel Orchid might be dying, alongside tips to diagnose it and how to go about treating the problem effectively.

Your Jewel Orchid might be getting too much sunlight

We would all love to think that the more sunlight your plant gets the better but this isn’t accurate. In the case of the Jewel Orchid, they are actually very sensitive to bright areas and prefer a medium light level.

If your plant is receiving any direct light can actually scorch the leaves. This is especially common in summer when the sun is a lot stronger and is out for most of the day. During winter, your plant can often deal with some bright light as the sun is weaker but it’s best to steer clear of any direct sun with these plants.

To solve the issue and revive your dying Jewel Orchid, move your plant to a spot in your home that doesn’t get any direct sunlight and your plant should start to recover. Unfortunately, once the leaves become scorched (this shows up as yellow or brown patches) there is no going back. We recommend trimming the worst affected leaves off so your plant can focus on growing new healthy leaves. Often when you leave on dying leaves, it can actually suck up a lot of your plant’s energy trying to keep them alive so it’s best to cut them off.

A dying Jewel Orchid can suggest underwatering

Although it won’t die on you suddenly if you forget to water it every once in a while, or make it go a little longer without water whilst you are on holiday, consistent underwatering will start to have an impact on your Jewel Orchid’s health.

These plants love some moisture in the soil so we recommend a little but often watering approach to ensure the soil doesn’t fully dry out but also doesn’t become waterlogged.

Some symptoms of underwatering include dry brown leaves, curling leaves, brown leaf tips, drooping stems and stagnant growth.

Before you start changing how much you water your plant, you need to confirm the issue. Adjusting watering habits can be a big change so you want to make sure this is the right thing for your plant.

You can measure the soil moisture in one of many ways. We quite like the chopstick method, the lifting method or using a moisture meter. You may also choose to remove your plant from its pot so that you can check the roots. If the issue has progressed quite far it’ll mean the roots have started to become crispy. This can mean the issue is just a little harder to solve and it might take a while to fully revive your dying Jewel Orchid.

Overwatering could also be to blame

As we mentioned above, Jewel Orchids like moist soil and don’t like it to dry out too much. However, this doesn’t mean that they won’t struggle with overwatering rotting the roots and causing havoc with your plant’s health, causing it to start dying.

If you are either giving your plant too much water every time or you are watering too frequently and not letting the potting mix have any chance of drying out, it can lead to root rot. This can mean your plant will lose leaves and becomes droopy and soft.

To figure out if overwatering is the reason your Jewel Orchid is dying, check the moisture levels in the soil immediately. If the soil is quite waterlogged and clumpy then replace it with fresh dry mix which will allow the plant to start to recover. Trim away the rotten roots (and any yellow soft leaves) and hold off on watering as much as you did before.

Exposure to cold temperatures can kill your Jewel Orchid

Much like light and water, it is a real balancing act to get the right temperature for your Jewel Orchid. They will struggle and start dying in both really cold temperatures and hot environments.

The best thing to do is monitor the temperature with a thermometer to make sure that your plant is growing in the right environment. You want to make sure that the temperature doesn’t drop below 12°C (54°F) or rise above 30°C (86°F).

Cold drafts are your plant’s worst enemy and they hate them even more than hostpots. Drafts caused by cracks in windows or doors can be really damaging to your plant because it is a consistent stream of cold air.

If this issue is happening in summer then it doesn’t mean that cold air isn’t to blame. Air conditioning vents can be really harmful to your plant without you even realising it. Although they provide a nice rest bite from the heat for us, being hit by a constant cold stream of air can freeze the tissue in your plant. This can slow photosynthesis and even cause some of the leaves to simply freeze.

Monitor the environment for a few days and use a thermometer to check the temperature overnight. You may need to find a better and warmer spot to revive your dying plant. However, if this isn’t possible, then we recommend you buy a heat mat. You can place this underneath the pot and it will warm up your plant. They can be a real benefit and help all of your plants get through the winter months so a worthwhile investment.

Those are the main causes of a dying Jewel Orchid. We hope that now you will have successfully diagnosed the issue and can get right to solving it. It’s important once you’ve diagnosed the issue and made changes to its environment and care routine, that you keep a very close eye on your plant for several weeks. You want to make sure that you’ve not only figured out what is causing it, but also that things are getting better and not worse.

To learn more about how to keep your plant happy and healthy for years to come, check out our Jewel Orchid care guide.

One of the most unique succulents out there, the Jade Plant is an incredible houseplant but they aren’t always the easiest to care for. This is why there are several factors that can cause your Jade Plant to start dying so it’s important to make the right diagnosis.

Below we will be going through each of the main causes of a dying Jade Plant as well as how to spot the issue, treat it and prevent it from causing any more harm to your plant in future.

You may be overwatering your Jade Plant

If the leaves on your Jade Plant have turned yellow and are quite limp then your plant might be dying due to overwatering. This can happen if you are either giving your plant too much water each time or you are simply watering it too frequently.

Jade Plants need their soil to dry out between waterings as they are a type of succulent and if this isn’t happening, their delicate roots can very quickly begin to rot.

How to know if your Jade Plant has been overwatered

It’s crucial that you confirm the issue before changing anything about how you water your plant. If you make the wrong changes it can lead to a whole range of issues which are even more problematic for a dying Jade Plant.

If the soil is clumpy and waterlogged replace it immediately with new fresh and dry potting mix. This will give the roots the best chance at survival and help to revive your dying plant. Carefully remove as much of the old potting mix as possible. One method to do this is to gently rinse the roots in the sink.

Now you’ve done everything you can to get your plant into the recovery process, the next step is adjusting your watering routine moving forward so that the issue doesn’t crop up again in a few weeks.

Whenever you water your Jade Plant you need to be sure that the potting mix has dried out. There are a few ways to do this so you might want to test out a few and see which you prefer. We quite like the lifting or the chopstick method but using a moisture meter will always be the most accurate.

A lack of sunlight could be killing your plant

Jade Plants thrive best in areas with bright light and they can really struggle if forced to grow in low light areas.

Signs that your Jade Plant might be dying due to low light include small new leaves or stagnant growth, leggy growth, drooping stems and leaves falling off your plant.

To solve the issue, make sure you place them somewhere they receive several hours of bright light.

In winter your Jade Plant can receive as much direct sun as it can get but in summer you want to be a little more careful about intense light, especially because it can cause hotspots and really dry out your plant. But direct light in small quantities will be fine.

You might also need to think about moving your Jade Plant around depending on the seasons.

In the winter months, when the sun isn’t as strong (and out for less of the day) it might be necessary to move your plant a little closer to the window to make use of the limited sunlight as best as possible.

A dying Jade Plant can suggest underwatering

If your plant has developed really crispy leaves that have turned brown, then you may have been underwatering it for a while which is why it’s dying. Whilst they thrive in dry soil, they won’t be able to go weeks and months without any water.

How to know if your Jade Plant is underwatered

If you think your plant is underwatered then check the moisture levels in the soil before making any changes to your care routine. With Jade Plants as they love dry soil, we strongly recommend you inspect the roots as they will tell you a lot more. If underwatered the roots will become shrivelled and crispy.

When watering an underwatered Jade Plant it’s super important you do it gradually and in very small amounts. Drowning it in water will actually cause the plant to get quite shocked and this could lead to more problems.

Moving forward always remember to check the moisture levels in the soil using either the finger, chopstick or lifting methods. This will mean you can keep an eye on how much water it needs and avoid the problem causing more problems in future.

Leaf rot could be why your Jade Plant is dying

If your plant has developed yellow and brown patches on the leaves that look quite sickly and damaged, then your plant might be rotting due to moisture on the leaves. This usually happens in winter as the problem progresses a lot quicker in cold environments.

If the leaves are being splashed whilst watering or are getting wet some other way, then it can lead the leaf to start rotting.

It won’t instantly kill your plant because the root system will be healthy but it can decrease the level of photosynthesis, thus stunting the plant’s growth as the problem progresses.

Always check your plant for pests

Regardless of the symptom, you are seeing or whether or not you think one of the other issues above explains everything, always check over for pests or signs of them.

Use a magnifying glass to try and spot any pests on the leaves of your plant. You also want to look closely where the stems join as that’s where they like to hang out. You are not only looking for actual pests on the leaves but yellow or brown small spots, holes dug into the leaves and white powder or webbing.

Over time pests can suck on the leaves of your plant, suffocating them which slowly kills your Jade Plant.

If you spot a pest infestation the first thing you need to do is isolate your plant from any others in the room. Make sure it is at least 1 metre away from any other plants as pests can spread if the leaves are close.

To start solving the issue and revive your dying plant, remove the worst affected leaves, then shower your plant and replace the potting mix.

This initially cuts down the actual size of the pest infestation which makes it easier to treat. Then you want to treat with an insecticidal spray.

If you have caught the issue relatively early then you should be able to curb the infestation and revive your plant. However, pests can very quickly cause your plant to die so act quickly once you spot bugs or signs of them on your plant.

Those are the most common reasons why your Jade Plant is dying. There are a lot of different potential reasons, all with their own set of symptoms.

But whatever the reason, It’s important that you catch these types of problems early as it makes them easier to successfully treat. This is why it’s a good habit to get into to check your plants regularly for any early warning signs of trouble.

To find out more about how to look after your plant and keep it healthy and happy, check out our detailed Jade Plant care guide.

Adored for their flat zig-zag leaves, the Fishbone Cactus has seen a boost in popularity lately and we couldn’t be happier seeing them pop up in homes and plant shops across the world. Whilst they can be quite easy to care for and keep happy, some plant parents often find their Fishbone Cactus can turn quite wrinkly and shrivelled.

Causes of shrivelled wrinkly Fishbone Cactus leaves

In this post, we will delve into the different reasons that your Fishbone Cactus might be shrivelling up and dying. It’s important to take a close look at the leaves before going through the reasons as their softness is crucial to narrowing down the cause.

Too Much Sunlight

If the leaves on your Fishbone Cactus are very dry as well as shrivelled and wrinkly, then it may be sunburn causing the problem. Fishbone Cacti like bright but indirect sunlight and if sat in the windowsill during summer, this intense direct sunshine can actually scorch the leaves causing them to shrivel up.

Intense direct sunlight can also cause a hot spot which further dries out your Fishbone Cactus, leaving the leaves super crispy and winkled. If you think that direct sunlight is the cause of the shrivelled leaves on your Fishbone Cactus then move your plant somewhere a little shadier. You don’t want to move your plant anywhere super dark as they still need high levels of sunlight to thrive as they are a succulent so finding the right balance is key.

If you’re unsure how much light your plant gets compared to what it needs, a light meter can be a good way to track light throughout your home and see how it changes throughout the day and across the different seasons.

Not Enough Water

Another cause of dry, wrinkled or shrivelled Fishbone Cactus leaves is consistent underwatering. As they are a succulent plant, they don’t need that much water to thrive but they do need more than the average cactus or succulent plant. They will forgive the occasional time that you forget to water, but won’t be able to go months without a drop.

It’s important to ensure that your plant is in fact being underwatered before you change anything about your care routine. The worst thing would be to increase watering if not needed as overwatering will have serious consequences too. Take your plant out of the pot (whilst wearing gloves as those thin spikes can sometimes be very sharp) to inspect how the potting mix feels. If underwatered, the potting mix will fall apart and feel very sandy.

Once you have determined that your Fishbone Cactus is suffering from a lack of water, slowly reintroduce water to your plant rather than drowning it. A little bit once a day for a week should get your plant back on track.

Overwatering

If the shrivelled/wrinkled leaves on your Fishbone Cactus feel soft and mushy to touch then it may be overwatering that is causing the issue. When your plant is consistently overwatered it will mean the roots start to rot and can’t transport vital nutrients and oxygen to your plant which causes the leaves to die and shrivel up.

It’s quite easy to tell if your Fishbone Cactus is being overwatered as the potting mix will feel very soggy and clumpy and may have started to smell. Replace the potting mix immediately if it is waterlogged as leaving it to dry naturally just risks more damage to the plant. Trim away all dead leaves and roots so your Fishbone Cactus can focus its energy on growing new healthy growth.

Going forward cut back on either how often you water your Fishbone Cactus, or how much water you give it each time as this will help prevent your plant from sitting in waterlogged soil.

Cold Temperatures

Another cause of shrivelled wrinkly leaves (when partnered with soft leaves) is a drop in temperatures. Fishbone Cacti like warm environments and can really struggle in cold homes or if exposed to drafts. This is particularly a problem at night when temperatures drop and we are less likely to have the heating on.

If the leaves are wet whilst your plant is exposed to cool temperatures, there is a high risk of the soggy leaves rotting. When watering your Fishbone Cactus, make sure to water as close to the potting soil as possible to minimise the amount of water that splashes onto your leaves.

You can also avoid shrivelled leaves being caused by extreme temperatures by draft proofing all windows and doors and making sure your Fishbone Cactus isn’t close to an AC vent. Using a digital thermometer will really help you keep track of the temperature fluctuations and help avoid any further wrinkled leaves.

So those are the most common reasons why your Fishbone Cactus may be developing wrinkled or shrivelled leaves. We recommend keeping a close eye on the environment and your care routine over the next few weeks to ensure the issue is properly solved and the problem isn’t getting worse.

If you can’t seem to save your plant and reverse the issue, then propagate your Fishbone Cactus to save at least some of the healthy parts.

Check out our full Fishbone Cactus care guide for more information on other common problems, propagation and top tips to keep your plant happy and healthy.

Also known as the ZigZag Cactus, Moon Cactus or RicRac Cactus, the Fishbone Cactus (as we like to call it) is loved for its unique leaves and tropical vibe. And although they can be pretty low maintenance compared to a lot of other plants out there, it’s common to run into a few issues from time to time.

To figure out why your Fishbone Cactus is dying, we have outlined the potential factors below as well as what to look for to successfully diagnose the issue. You’ll also find tips on how to treat the issue and steps to take to prevent it from reoccurring.

Are you overwatering your Fishbone Cactus?

Improper watering is one of the biggest issues for most houseplants and can kill your Fishbone Cactus pretty quickly. You might not think it because of the name but the Fishbone Cactus is actually a succulent plant which means their roots are very sensitive to waterlogged soil and it can cause them to start dying pretty suddenly..

Overwatering will cause their leaf tips to turn brown, their leaves to turn yellow, their roots to rot and eventually their leaves to become unstable and mushy. So all in all it’s really something you want to avoid if you can!

During the spring and summer growth months, you shouldn’t be watering your Fishbone Cactus more than once every week or two. During the colder months, once a month is definitely enough.

But how do I know when to water my Fishbone Cactus?

Getting the watering amount and frequency right is probably the hardest thing about caring for houseplants because there isn’t a set schedule you can follow. We are pretty against the watering schedules that exist out there because there are so many environmental factors that change how much water your plant needs.

Factors such as light level, temperature, plant size, maturity and root-to-soil ratio alongside variables such as seasons all impact how fast your Fishbone Cactus’ soil dries out.

There are a few things you can do to know when to water your Fishbone Cactus. Firstly, if you water with a top-down approach, check the top few inches of the soil and only water when they are dry. If you use the bottom-up approach then the chopstick method, lifting method and using a moisture meter are the right things for you.

The pot and soil may have drainage problems

If you are seeing symptoms alike to overwatering but you really aren’t giving your plant much water, it might be dying due to poor draining of the soil and pot. You can very easily increase the amount of drainage in your Fishbone Cactus by mixing in a small amount of perlite.

You also want to check that your plant pot has drainage holes and that they aren’t blocked by anything. This will allow any excess water to flow out of the pot and you can get rid of it so it isn’t sitting around the roots.

One final tip we have to increase the drainage and prevent your plant from dying due to root rot is to switch to clay or terracotta pots. The clay they’re made of is permeable which means that some of the water in your soil can evaporate through the sides of the pot. This isn’t the case for the plastic pots that most use, which instead hold in all of that moisture.

You might be underwatering your Fishbone Cactus

Now that we have covered overwatering and drainage issues, there’s actually one other watering problem that could be why your plant is dying; underwatering.

Too little water can also cause a lot of problems for your Fishbone Cactus and it will start to develop dry crispy leaves. If not caught early, it can cause the entire plant to crisp up and wilt.

If you suspect it is underwatering then you must again check the moisture levels in the soil before making any changes to your care routine. The worst thing you could do is increase how much you are watering your Fishbone Cactus when it really doesn’t need any more water.

To solve the issue, make sure you adjust your schedule going forward so you are either increasing how much water you give your plant each time or increasing the frequency that you are watering. You still want to, however, ensure that the potting mix fully dries out between waterings.

A lack of sunlight could be killing your Fishbone Cactus

Although direct light can cause leaf burn and a range of other issues, not enough sunlight can also be really damaging to your plant and might be why it has started dying.

Whilst they can adapt to some lower light areas, they will struggle in winter in low light corners of the room and you might start to see symptoms that include small or stagnant growth, leggy leaves and drooping leaves.

Solving the issue can be pretty straightforward as you need to find a sunnier spot for your plant. If you aren’t able to find somewhere with more natural sunlight, then we recommend purchasing an LED grow light. These can help supplement natural light during winter and are great when propagating and cultivating new plants.

Check your plant for pests immediately

Although fairly rare, Fishbone Cacti can begin dying if they are infested with pests. It’s a pretty serious issue which is why we recommend checking your plant thoroughly for any signs of them.

Insects such as mealybugs or spider mites can take hold of the plant and suck on their nutrients which will cause leaf damage. Over time these leaves will begin to fall off the plant as they become dry and damaged.

Most of the time you can spot the pests crawling on the leaves which makes confirming the problem fairly easy. Other signs you want to look out for are small yellow and brown spots, small holes in the leaves (or holes halfway through the leaf if they didn’t quite make it through)

Although spotting pests isn’t always difficult, treating them can be a bit of a pain. You want to remove any leaves that are very damaged or have a high number of pests on them. We also recommend you replace the entire potting mix to cut down the number of pests. Then move on to treating your dying Fishbone Cactus with neem oil and an insecticide.

To diagnose what’s causing your Fishbone Cactus to start dying, we recommend going through the above list whilst inspecting your plant, the potting mix and its root system. This will help you eliminate issues and hopefully land on the right one. Then once you have made changes to either the environment or your care routine, keep a close eye on your plant to make sure that things are moving in the right direction.

To learn more about caring for your plant and preventing more common issues from arising, check out our Fishbone Cactus care guide.

Fiddle Leaf Figs are one of our favourite houseplants, it’s literally in the name. Their bold luscious green leaves make them stand out in any space and their care routine tends to be pretty simple. However, if you spot your Fiddle Leaf Fig developing brown leaves, it can be difficult to treat correctly if you aren’t sure about what is causing them. Luckily we have developed a simple guide to diagnosing the problem so your plant can get back to full health very quickly.

The most common causes of brown leaves in Fiddle Leaf Figs are: overwatering, underwatering or a lack of humidity.

Overwatering can cause brown leaves

The signs: darker brown spots throughout the leaf, starting at the bottom of the plant.

If you notice that your Fiddle Leaf Fig is developing dark brown spots on its leaves, a common cause of this is overwatering. We tend to recommend a little and often approach towards watering and this is especially the case with Fiddles. They don’t really like being sat in puddles of water so you need to ensure you have good drainage and do not give them too much water at once.

Overwatering can quickly lead to root rot which is very harmful to your plant. You will notice that the lower leaves are the first to turn brown and drop off as it takes hold of the plant from the roots up. Alongside browning leaves, it can also cause the plant to become unstable and not pick up any nutrients. If not caught quickly, this can often be a killer for your Fiddle. If you think you might have overwatered your Fiddle Leaf Fig it’s important to check the soil right away and change it out completely if necessary.

Make sure to check the moisture in the soil before you water your plant. The easiest way to check this is by digging your finger into the top two centimetres of the soil to see how moist it is. If you want to make it super easy consider investing in a moisture monitor, these little things give you all of the data you need to keep your tree happy and healthy.

We also recommend picking up your Fiddle Leaf Fig before and after watering. This should give you a feel for when your plant might need a little more water, simply by giving them a lift. However, we only recommend this if your Fiddle is no bigger than 1/1.5 metre tall as they can get quite heavy quite quickly so be careful!

You can find more information on prevention and treatment in our root rot guide.

There are several causes of brown Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree leaves

Underwatering can also cause brown Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves

The signs: lighter brown patches on the leaves, starting from the edge. The leaves will curl up and look dry. Will affect leaves throughout the plant.

If you notice that your Fiddle Leaf Fig is developing light brown spots or dry crispy edges on the leaves, then it may be that you are underwatering your plant. Another sign to look out for is that the rest of the leaf will still look healthy, whereas an overwatered plant will have browning/yellowing throughout the leaf.

Although they don’t like sitting in water, they also don’t like their soil being too dry for longer periods of time. The easiest way to tell is again just by checking the moisture in the soil and adjusting your watering schedule accordingly.

If you find that your Fiddle Leaf Fig feels very dry, water it a little every other day for a week. Your first instinct might be to give it loads of water straight away but this can actually be harmful to your Fiddle if the soil goes from one extreme to the other. Instead, you want to reintroduce frequent watering for a week or two and this should solve the problem.

If you just can’t get on the right watering schedule it could be worth investing in a good quality self watering plant pot, these take all of the trouble out of the process and will make sure that your plant isn’t resting in stagnant water – eliminating the risk of root rot or other watering based issues.

Diagnosing brown Fiddle Leaf leaves can be tricky

Brown leaves can also indicate a lack of humidity

The signs: dry crispy edges of the leaves.

They prefer a humid environment as they originate from tropical forests. If you find that the edges of your Fiddle’s leaves are turning brown, then it may be because the air in your home is too dry for it.

There are few really simple techniques to keep the humidity higher than normal for your Fiddle; you can spray down the leaves with a mist bottle every few days, sit your plant in a tray with water and some pebbles, put your plant in the bathroom and leave the shower on hot for 5 minutes or for a quick and easy solution you could invest in a humidifier to keep the levels perfect year round.

You can pick up a good humidity monitor to keep track of everything if you’re more concerned. Make sure to also move your Fiddle Leaf Fig away from any air conditioning units as these create very dry air!

You can find out more about increasing the humidity for your Fiddle (and other houseplants) in our humidity guide.

Check the brown leaves closely for pests

Pests can also cause brown leaf spot on your Fiddle

The signs: small dark brown spots on the leaves that turn into holes. If you look closely the pests will be visible.

A slightly less common reason why your Fiddle Leaf Fig may have brown leaves is a pest infestation. It can happen that pests such as mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects take hold of your beloved plant.

If you find pests on your plant we recommend giving the whole plant a shower. Keep the shower pressure so as not to damage the leaves, but Fiddles are pretty sturdy so this shouldn’t be too much of an issue if you are careful. Alternatively, wash down each leaf with soapy warm water and replace all of the soil to get rid of the pests. You should also treat your Fiddle Leaf Fig with an organic insecticide to fight the infestation.

Make sure to check over your other plants in the room to see if any other plants have pests. Keep your Fiddle (and other infected plants) a good distance away from any of your other houseplants as you don’t want the pests to spread.

A happy and healthy Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Brown leaves on your Fiddle Leaf Fig isn’t the end of the world if you have caught and correctly diagnosed the problem early. By shifting your watering schedule and keeping a close eye on your plant, it should return to full health quickly. Don’t expect the brown leaves to all of a sudden turn luscious green, what’s done is done. Don’t pull away the brown leaves as this can harm your plant. Instead, wait for them to drop naturally or prune away the brown parts once your plant has resumes healthy growth.

You can find our full guide to Fiddle Leaf Fig care here.

Here at Fiddle and Thorn, Fiddle Leaf Figs are one of our favourite plants, I mean it’s in the name! They can be a little sensitive and sometimes will begin to drop their leaves as a sign of discomfort in their environment. The main reasons why a Fiddle Leaf Fig is losing leaves are insufficient watering, root rot, shock and insufficient light. It is important to look out for any dropped leaves as they are often a symptom of a bigger problem.

Sudden change in environment can cause a Fiddle to start losing leaves

Fiddles have sturdy leaves, which can sometimes make us believe they are hardy plants that can cope in most environments. However, they are a little sensitive when it comes to their comfort zone. They don’t like to be moved around too much and a sudden change of environment can be quite harmful to your Fiddle Leaf, causing them to begin losing leaves. They can become quite stressed and this often results in leaves being shed, most commonly the lower, older leaves are dropped in this scenario.

Different lighting and humidity levels can be quite a shock to your Fiddle Leaf and might be why it’s losing leaves as it can take some adjusting before the new environment becomes its new comfort zone. If you have moved house, the physical knocks it may have received in packing up and transit may have also caused some shock.

Don’t worry too much if your Fiddle Leaf has dropped some leaves after being moved to a new spot, it is totally natural. As long as the new environment caters for its light and space requirements, it should adjust nicely and regain strong and healthy growth.

Not enough water can cause your Fiddle Leaf Fig to lose leaves

Another common cause of Fiddle Leaf Fig losing leaves is insufficient watering and dry soil. Although they don’t like to be swimming in water, it’s not great to let the soil fully dry out. The best way to check whether or not you are overwatering is the ‘finger test’. Dig a finger a few centimetres into the soil to feel if it is too dry. Another method we use is the ‘lifting method’. If your Fiddle Leaf is still fairly small we suggest picking it up a pre and post watering to get a feel for what the difference in weight is like. However, we recommend not picking up your Fiddle Leaf if it is over 1 metre tall as they can be quite heavy. The most reliable way to check the moisture levels in the soil is by using a moisture meter.

You can tell if your plant is too dry by looking at the way in which the dry parts have developed on the leaf. If the brown spots are at the edge of the leaf, rather than in the middle, this is a sign of a dry plant. Another thing to look out for is which leaves are turning brown. If you find there are dry spots on leaves throughout the plant, from top to bottom, this also points to dry soil being why your Fiddle Leaf is losing leaves.

If your Fiddle is losing leaves, it can indicate dry air

Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees are also quite sensitive to dry air and this may be causing yours to lose its leaves. Make sure it is not near a radiator, heating vent or AC unit as the air will be too dry. Fiddle Leaf Figs also dislike drafts so keep them away from any doors or windows that might be drafty to prevent them from losing any more leaves.

There are a few ways to increase the humidity for your Fiddle Leaf but the best way to get a nice consistent level is by using a humidifier. Our plants love this one from Amazon.

Root rot can cause your Fiddle to start losing leaves

This is one of the most common issues that impacts all types of houseplants. Root rot occurs when you have been giving your plant too much water and the soil becomes waterlogged. Your Fiddle Leaf Fig’s roots can become susceptible to rot if the soil is too wet for long periods of time. This causes instability in the plant and often means your plant will lose some of its leaves.

The best way to spot whether it is root rot is to look at the leaves a little closer. If you see brown or black spots all over the leaf, it usually means that the plant is waterlogged. If the dry brown leaves are towards the bottom of the plant, closest to the roots, this also indicates root rot. Use a moisture meter to double-check the moisture levels in the soil before adjusting your watering schedule. If it’s waterlogged then we recommend replacing the potting mix with fresh high-quality potting mix immediately.

Not enough sunlight can also be why your Fiddle is losing leaves

Your Fiddle may also be losing some of its leaves due to insufficient light levels. Fiddle trees like a bright spot so make sure that you place your tree near a window. South-facing windows suit them the best, but any large window should offer enough light. The only thing to watch out for is that your Fiddle Leaf Fig is not getting any direct light. Even a few hours a day can cause the leaves to burn. Using a light meter can help you establish the best spot for your Fiddle.

Make sure to clean your Fiddle’s leaves

It is really important with Fiddle Leaf Figs that you check the leaves often for any signs of bugs, dark and dry patches or dust. This can often give you an insight into why your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree is losing leaves and allows you to spot issues before they’ve really taken over your plant.

It’s important to remember that your plant takes in sunlight through its leaves so it’s vital that you keep them clean. Wipe over each leaf with a microfibre cloth to remove any dust. Every now and again use a damp soapy cloth to give a full clean. Make sure to also look out for signs of bugs or small holes and treat immediately to stop your Fiddle losing any more leaves.

Irregular watering can cause your Fiddle to lose some leaves

As we mentioned above, Fiddle Leaf Figs are plants that like consistency and comfort. Irregular watering can easily harm them and be why they start losing leaves. If you find that your Fiddle is displaying signs of both under and overwatering, it’s possible that it may be both. If your watering schedule is not consistent and you are giving your plant different amounts of water at different intervals each week, it may be harming the health of the plant.

To overcome this, remove all of the worst affected leaves and start by setting a watering schedule for yourself. Water your plant once a week, until some of the water is coming out of the bottom of the pot into the saucer. Before watering again the next week, double-check that the top few centimetres of the soil is dry. Adjust slightly according to the seasons and growth periods.

Your Fiddle Leaf might be losing leaves due to natural ageing

One more factor to consider which is a lot less worrying is whether your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree is losing leaves as part of the natural shedding process. As your plant ages, it focuses its energy on growing new bigger leaves. This often means it has to sacrifice some older smaller leaves to conserve energy. This results in your Fiddle Leaf losing some of its older lower leaves.

As long as there are no other warning signs, you have checked and eliminated every other option, and your Fiddle Leaf is growing more new healthy leaves than it is losing, then you probably have nothing to worry about.

Looking after your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree shouldn’t be stressful and it’s always upsetting when they start losing leaves. They are incredible plants and will reward you for looking after them well. It is very common for fiddles to drop some of their leaves but just make sure you are aware of what is causing this so you can treat it appropriately!

Check out our Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree care guide for more information on how to care for your plant and keep it thriving.