Horticulture

When Your Houseplants
Lose Their Leaves

By Dianne Syvitski, Colorado State University Extension
Master Gardener, Boulder County

Houseplants are like people. When they get sick, they let you know about it. One way your houseplant tells you it's ailing is by losing its leaves. The good news is that leaf loss isn't necessarily fatal -- not if you can identify the reason and remedy it.

Most houseplants are tropical in origin. This means they like to be kept slightly moist and given lots of light and humidity. Without optimum conditions, they can defoliate. Because leaves manufacture food for the plant, without leaves, the plant will starve. In this case, plants usually will grow new leaves.

* Light: If you've recently moved your plants from an area where they got a lot of light to an area of little light, their leaves likely will turn yellow, wilt and fall off. This also could happen during winter months, if plants aren't getting their usual amount of sunlight.

* Humidity: Lack of humidity -- a common problem in many homes today -- also can cause leaf drop. You can solve this problem by grouping plants together for a better collective environment. Or, set the pots on top of a large tray lined with pebbles and filled to the three-fourths level with water. (Don't place plants directly in the water). This creates a more humid situation. Another trick: place peat moss in the base of your planter and keep moist, though not saturated. This, in addition to regular misting and the use of humidifiers helps add moisture to the air surrounding your plants.

* Too much or too little water: Leaf tips can become brittle and scabby bubbles can appear on their underside when plants are watered too much. This eventually causes leaf drop. Underwatering also does damage to the plant. When the plant doesn't get enough water, the soil packs densely around the roots and subsequent watering often washes through the pot without finding the roots. Most house plants like to be kept consistently moist.

* Not enough fertilizer: If the plant lacks nitrogen, it's growth rate will slow and leaves will turn yellow and drop. If it lacks potassium, the leaves will burn at the tips and the plant will defoliate from the base upwards.

* Ideal temperature: Plants generally do best in temperatures ranging from 55 to 75 degrees. If room temps are outside this range and the plant can't adjust, it will defoliate.

* Infections: Bacterial or fungal infections will result in leaf spotting, which causes leaves to drop. The spots usually are white, brown or black with yellow margins. Often, the plant is been weakened and made vulnerable to infection by too much water or inadequate light. Remove the affected leaves and treat with a fungicide.

* insect infections: If the plant is small enough, you often can solve the insect problem by rinsing it in a sink of water containing three to six tablespoons of liquid dishwashing detergent. You might try rinsing larger plants in the shower. Take all necessary precautions when using chemicals in the house for houseplants.

For more information on Gardening, click here Gardening Menu at Colorado State Universtiy.

Page Updated: April 5, 2007
Webmaster: Mary Watson

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