If a plant is really, truly a goner, you'll need a magic wand to help. But many plants that look dead can be resuscitated with prompt, effective action. Here's a short list of 7 things you can try to revive a dying plant.
- Take a close look at the damage. Most ailing plants are suffering from improper cultural care. Your best chance of helping the plant is to figure out what's going on, so look carefully at the damage. Drooping, yellowing leaves can indicate too much water. Brown, dry leaves and stems may mean too little water. Scorched or transparent leaves? Too much or too little sun. Deformed or nibbled leaves signal pests.
- Prune away dead foliage. You won't be able to assess the chance of reviving your plant if it is choked with dead leaves. Clip off all dead leaves and branches from plants that look dead and remove all fallen foliage. If you aren't sure whether a branch is dead, try the scratch test - use a fingernail to scrape off some of the outer layer of skin. If you see green inside, it's alive and should not be removed. Keep the faith! Any green, flexible stems make it likely you can revive your plant.
- Water a thirsty plant. A plant's home is its container or garden bed, so dig around in the soil for evidence. If the soil is hard, compacted, cracked and dry, inadequate water is probably the issue. This kind of damage can be corrected quickly if you catch it in time. It's easy to rehydrate dry plants. Pour water into the plant pot until it runs freely from the drainage holes in the bottom. After that, hose or spray down all remaining stems and foliage. Plants intake water through their leaves as well as their roots.
- Let soggy soil dry out. If the container soil is wet to the touch even though you haven't watered in a while, the plant's is suffering from excess water caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out. Check the pot's drain holes. A small plant container needs a drain hole of at least ½ inch (1.2 cm.) diameter, while a larger plant container needs holes twice that size. If your pot's drainage is inadequate, it's time to transplant.
- Adjust the sun exposure. Some plants need direct sun, some indirect sun and some shade. If you aren't sure what this particular plant prefers, find out online or at the garden store. Then move the plant into an appropriate location.
- Provide humidity. For some plants, getting enough water is not sufficient. Plants like ferns require humidity to thrive, humidity that the average living room might not offer. This can be solved quickly. Place a shallow pan filled with small rocks beneath the plant and add a little water. The water will evaporate and humidify the air near the plant.
- Consider repotting. Over time, most plants outgrow their pots. The roots may even wind around the inside of the container, making it difficult for them to uptake water and nutrients. Gently remove the plant from its container. If you see more roots than soil, or roots coiling round the inside of the pot, it is time for a bigger container. Sometimes, all it takes to revive a dying plant is a little repotting.
Plant resuscitation isn't always successful, especially if it's too far gone. However, it doesn't mean plants that look dead cannot be given new life. It never hurts to at least try - who knows, you may just have what it takes to bring dead plants back to life before it's too late.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our most popular eBook "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes."
FAQs
Mix one part of 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide into two parts water — you can do this in a watering can or spray bottle. There are two ways you can use this mix to try and save your sick plants. First, gently remove the plant from the pot and try and remove as much of the soil as you can from around the roots.
How to revive a dying plant with hydrogen peroxide? ›
Mix one part of 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide into two parts water — you can do this in a watering can or spray bottle. There are two ways you can use this mix to try and save your sick plants. First, gently remove the plant from the pot and try and remove as much of the soil as you can from around the roots.
Can a plant regrow if it dies? ›
Plants can regrow from healthy roots. If the stems are dead, you can cut them back a bit at a time until you find part of a living stem. Once you find a living stem leave it alone. if you don't find a living stem just leave 2 inches of the stem intact above the soil.
Will Miracle-Gro bring a plant back to life? ›
Miracle Grow never disappoints with their products. This miracle rescue has helped our plants through the horrible drought we have been in. Our plants looked pretty sad from sunray damage as well. The rescue formula has not only brought them back to live, but has helped with production of the fruit and vegetables.
Is sugar water good for dying plants? ›
Can We Use Sugar Water For Dying Plants? Although it is not considered a fertilizer, you can use sugar if your plants aren't doing so well. Sugar water in plants can help the microorganisms in the soil break down all the nutrients. It is vastly not recommended, though, to use just the sugar as plant food to save them.
Is Epsom salt good for plants? ›
Epsom salt can help you refresh and revitalize an established garden or create a healthy beginning for a new one. Ultra Epsom Salt does not accumulate in the soil or harm any plants when used, so it can be used safely and effectively during any stage of the plant's life.
Is coffee good for plants? ›
Coffee grounds (and brewed coffee) are a source of nitrogen for plants, producing healthy green growth and strong stems. Coffee also contains calcium and magnesium — both of which are beneficial to plant health. To use coffee as a plant fertilizer, you'll need to dilute it. It should look like weak tea.
Can you use hydrogen peroxide on plants? ›
The most common uses of hydrogen peroxide for plants includes: Eliminates root rot while supporting growth of healthier roots. Eliminates fungal infections. Treats fungus gnat infestations.
Can you nurse a plant back to life? ›
It's often possible to revive a dying houseplant. Remember to read the plant's tag to be sure you're giving the plant the right balance of water, light and humidity. Look for signs of pests or diseases and treat for them as soon as you see them, before the infestation gets out of control.
What happens if you put too much Miracle-Gro on plants? ›
Too much fertilizer can potentially cause a chemical burn on the roots of your plant. In severe cases, it can also cause the whole plant to wilt and die. This is something that you might see happen within a few days of fertilizing.
Gardeners should steer clear of Miracle-Gro soil due to the presence of chemical additives in many of their products. While Miracle-Gro promises quick growth and vibrant plants, these chemicals can have negative effects on both the environment and the overall well-being of your garden.
How long does it take to revive a plant? ›
It will take a while to nurse your houseplant back to health. While you may notice signs of recovery within a couple weeks, it's perfectly normal for plants to take a month or more to begin putting out new growth.
Can you revive a plant without roots? ›
Below is what I have found to be the most reliable way to rescue plants that have lost their root systems: Completely immerse the bare-root (OK, no-root) plant for several hours in water containing 1 or 2 tablespoons of Kelpak per gallon. Presoak your potting medium of choice with that same solution.
How to revive dead soil? ›
From Dead Dirt to Healthy Soil in 7 Simple Steps
- Stop using NPK fertilizers. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK) fertilizers are commonly used for trees, shrubs, and grass. ...
- Stop using herbicides. ...
- Leave the leaves. ...
- Be mindful of disturbing the soil. ...
- Use wood chips. ...
- Use compost. ...
- Stop spraying for mosquitos.
