Contents
We will reveal 10 Hacks and Tricks on how to save a dying plant in your garden. Firstly we will look into How to tell if a plant is dead or alive and secondly on How to revive a dying plant that is How to recover or save an almost dead plant or a dying plant with a scientific basis.
Signs and Symptoms to Declare a Plant Dead or Alive
First of all, we will look into the important signs and symptoms to declare a plant dead or alive and if alive – how critical its condition is and whether its resuscitation or revival is possible or not and should be attempted or not. At the end, we will look into the hacks to save a dying plant.
Is My Plant Dead?
The question – “Is my plant dead?” seems easy to answer, but the truth is that telling whether a plant is truly dead can be a difficult task sometimes. Plants do not have vital signs like a heartbeat or respiratory movements, which makes it difficult to tell if it is truly dead or alive. Instead, you have to rely on some subtle clues or signs.
1. Loss of Leaves
First sign is your plant should have lost all of its leaves or the leaves have all gone brown and dry. But wait, do not panic. We will go on checking the next vitals of the plant.
2. Check the Stems
The stems of the plant should be pliable and firm and will have a green cast on the inside if they are still alive. Check by scratching the stem; if it’s green and juicy, it’s still alive. If the stem is mushy or brittle, then move on to the next sign.
3. Check the Roots
The roots should also be pliable but firm. If both the stems and roots are brittle or mushy, the plant is dead and there’s no point in wasting time on reviving these plants.
4. Is the Plant Worth Saving?
The next step is to decide if you really want to make the effort of nursing the plant back to health. Keep in mind that a plant may still die despite your best efforts and can look pathetic for weeks, months, or even years. Consider whether it is worth the time to recover or if you can get a similar healthy plant at your local nursery for a reasonable price. If the plant has sentimental value or is hard to find, it is certainly worth saving; otherwise, you may want to drop it.
Tips on How to Save a Dying Plant (Reviving Hacks)
What to Do When Only the Roots are Still Alive?
If the roots are still good but the stems are dead, you will hope that the plant re-grows from the roots.
1. Cut Away Dead Stems
Cut away the dead stems by scratching and checking if they are alive or not, and also checking their pliability. Sometimes, as you get closer to the roots, parts of the stem may still be alive. If you find a living stem, try to leave as much as possible above the roots. If there is hardly any living stem, but the roots are still pliable and not brittle, the plant might be difficult to save, but you can still try the revival process.
2. Leave a Small Part of the Stem Intact
If you find no living stem, leave at least 2 inches of the stem intact above the soil.
3. Soak the Roots in Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
Soak the roots in a solution of hydrogen peroxide for a few hours. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has an extra atom of oxygen compared to water (H2O), and it’s great for plants. By soaking your plants in a hydrogen peroxide solution, it mimics a natural substance found in raindrops. The concentration for this solution is 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 30 parts water.
4. Repot the Plant
Repot the plant in good, well-draining regular potting soil or mix.
5. Water with Epsom Salt Solution
Whenever you water the plant, after checking the soil surface for dryness, add Epsom salt (about 2 teaspoons in 500 ml of water). Epsom salt contains hydrated magnesium sulfate, and magnesium helps strengthen the plant’s cell walls, aiding nutrient absorption from the soil.
Additional Tips
- Sunlight: Place the plant in conditions where it will get roughly less than half the amount of sun that is normally recommended for that plant.
- Watering: Water only when the soil is dry to the touch.
- Observation: If the plant is recovering, you will see new stems sprout from around the remaining stem in one or two months. If not, you can declare it completely dead and perform its last rites. If you still do not want to give up, recheck the roots to see if the plant has died completely.
So there we have it folks, That was our interesting topic on saving a dying plant.
Please Watch video tutorial on how to save a dead plant below:
