Many people who love plants, without even realizing it, make the same common mistakes which often lead to sad results such as leaves that are dry and dying, roots that have started to rot, and, in the end, the death of the plant. 

However, there is no reason to give up because understanding the main reasons for these failures is the very first and most important step to help your green friends grow strong and healthy via picture of plant lifehacks.

1. Overwatering: the Most Common Killer of Houseplants

The main enemy for many houseplants is giving them too much water. We often have the idea that more water is always better, and we water our plants every day, even when the soil is still quite wet from the last time, which causes the roots to start suffocating and rotting, and this bad condition always kills the plant.

How to Avoid This

• Check the soil carefully. Before you decide to water your plant, you should put your finger into the soil about 2-3 centimeters deep. If it feels wet, it is best to wait and only water the plant when the top layer of soil is completely dry. 

A simple moisture meter is also a great tool to help you know for sure when to water.

• Use drainage holes. It is very important to make sure that the pot your plant is in has holes at the bottom for water to drain out, so that any extra water can leave the pot freely and not sit at the bottom, which can cause root problems.

• Use the right kind of pot. It is a very good idea to choose pots made from porous materials like terracotta, because they help the soil to breathe and allow extra moisture to escape through the sides of the pot.

• Think about the season. You should remember that in the cold winter months, plants need much less water than in the hot summer because of their metabolism.

2. Not Enough Light: Wrong Placement

Without enough light, they cannot do photosynthesis, which is the process of making food from sunlight. 

On the other hand, too much direct and very strong sun can burn their soft leaves and cause a lot of damage.

How to Avoid This

• Learn what your plant needs. Every type of plant needs a different amount of light. Some plants like bright but indirect light like a ficus or a dracaena, while others feel very good and grow well in a shady spot like a snake plant or a ZZ plant.

• Watch the leaves. If the leaves on your plant become pale in color, start to stretch out, and grow smaller than usual, it is a clear sign of not getting enough light. 

If you see yellow or brown spots on the leaves, it may be a sign of sunburn from too much sun.

• Turn the pot. Once a week, you should turn the pot about 90 degrees so that all parts of the plant can receive light evenly and grow straight.

Tip: If you are not sure about the color of the leaves, take a photo and upload it to plant care apps, for example, AI Plant Finder.

3. Wrong Soil: The Base of Health

You might buy the most beautiful flower in the world, but if it is planted in the wrong soil, all of your hard work will be for nothing. 

The soil must give the roots air, hold moisture and nutrients, and also have the correct pH level to help the plant live.

How to Avoid This

• Use special soil mixes. For plants like cacti and succulents, you need a sandy soil that drains water very well. 

For orchids, you need a mix of bark, moss, and other large pieces. 

For most regular houseplants, a universal potting mix is fine, but you can make it better by adding perlite or vermiculite to make it lighter and airier.

• Do not use soil from your garden. Garden soil may contain harmful pests or fungi, and it can also be too heavy and dense for the delicate roots of a houseplant.

4. No Drainage: Stagnant Water

Even if you are very careful and water your plant correctly, if there are no holes for drainage in the pot, water will collect at the bottom. 

This is the same problem as overwatering all the time and can quickly lead to root rot.

How to Avoid This

• Always use pots with holes at the bottom. This is the most important rule. If your beautiful decorative pot does not have holes, you should use it as a cachepot, which means you put the plant in its original plastic pot with holes inside the bigger pot.

5. Sudden Changes in Conditions: "Shock" for the Plant

A sudden change in temperature, a cold draft from a window, or moving the plant to a completely different place can cause a lot of stress for it.

How to Avoid This

• Acclimatization. When you bring a new plant home from a shop, it is important to give it some time to get used to its new conditions. 

You should place it in a spot with indirect light for a few days before you decide on its permanent location.

• Avoid drafts. This is especially important for plants that love warmth. 

You should never put pots on a windowsill if you often open the window during the cold winter months, because the cold air can shock the plant.

6. Wrong Feeding: Not Enough or Too Many Nutrients

How to Avoid This

• Use the right fertilizers. You should choose fertilizers that are balanced and correct for the specific type of plant you have. 

During the period of active growth, which is usually in the spring and summer, you should feed it according to the instructions on the package, which is typically once every 2-4 weeks.

• Never feed your plants in the winter. At this time, plants are in a period of rest, and they do not need any extra fertilizer.

• Do not feed a sick plant. First, you must find out what is wrong with the plant and fix the problem, and only then you can start feeding it again.

7. Not Repotting in Time: a Tight Pot

When the roots of a plant completely fill the pot, the plant becomes crowded, and it cannot grow any more. 

How to Avoid This

• Check the roots. You should check the roots to see if they are coming out of the drainage holes. 

If they are, it means it is definitely time to repot the plant.

• Choose a pot that is a little bigger. When you repot, you should choose a new pot that is only about 2-3 cm bigger in diameter. 

A pot that is too big will hold too much extra water, which can lead to the roots rotting.

8. No "Hygiene": Dusty Leaves

Dust on the leaves not only makes the plant look bad, but it also makes it difficult for the plant to "breathe" and get light.

How to Avoid This

• Clean the leaves regularly. You can use a soft, wet cloth to gently wipe the leaves. 

For plants with very small leaves, you can give them a shower with warm water.

9. Pests: a Hidden Danger

Aphids, spider mites, and scale insects — these small pests can appear very suddenly and quickly kill a plant if you do not do anything.

How to Avoid This

• Regularly inspect your plants. You should check the leaves, stems, and the undersides of the leaves every week to find any pests early.

• Isolate a new plant. You should keep a new plant away from all of your other plants for a few weeks to make sure it is not infected with anything.

• At the first signs of pests, use insecticides or natural methods. You can use simple solutions like insecticidal soap or neem oil to get rid of them.

10. Constant Worry: Too Much Care

Sometimes, trying to care for a plant too much can actually be a bad thing. 

Constant repotting, spraying, and moving the plant all the time is very stressful for it.

How to Avoid This

• Create stable conditions. Once you find a good spot for your plant, you should try to leave it alone and let it get comfortable.

• Give it time to adjust. Do not panic if the plant looks a little tired right after you buy it. You should give it time to get used to its new home and the new environment.

Now that you know what to look for, you have a very good chance to become a true plant expert. You can start with just one or two plants, watch them carefully, and very soon you will learn to understand what they need. Taking care of plants is not just a daily task, but a fun process that brings a lot of joy and beauty into your home.