Analysis of Common Causes of Death in Household Flowers and How to Save Them

I believe we have all encountered this situation. When buying a potted plant, the flower shop owner always says: "This plant is the easiest to grow, just water it..." As a result, within a few months, the plant dies "inexplicably." It was growing so well, so why did it die? Below I will share some common causes of death in household plants and how to save them.

1. Alocasia (Alocasia macrorrhizos)

Alocasia - a very charming name, but the water it drips is said to be toxic, so be careful.

Common cause of death 1:

Too much light, improper watering.

Main symptoms: drooping leaves, yellowing leaves.

Solution: Alocasia prefers shade; do not expose it to direct sunlight. Control watering in winter. Also, do not spray water on the leaves, as it will cause white spots to appear on the leaf surface.

Common cause of death 2:

Insufficient fertilizer and water.

Main symptoms: leaves become limp.

Solution:

Alocasia prefers moist, fertile soil. During the growing season, water and fertilize more frequently.

Tip: Winter is the dormant period for Alocasia. If the leaves shrivel and turn yellow, you can cut off all the leaves from the stem, stop watering, and place it in a corner. Throughout the entire winter, water only once a month.

2. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

Money Tree - when "Malabar chestnut" was renamed "Money Tree," it immediately became the "household guardian tree" for many small families.
Common cause of death:

Temperature too low, water accumulation in the pot.

Main symptoms: leaves turn yellow and fall off.

Solution:

The Money Tree easily dies below 10°C. Avoid water accumulation in the pot and reduce watering in winter. During the growing season, you can frequently spray a small amount of water on the leaves.

Tip: The Money Tree likes sun and tolerates shade. It can be placed in a low-light indoor spot for 2-4 consecutive weeks, then moved to a bright location.

3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos - from the White House to ordinary homes, its lush green form is everywhere.

Common cause of death 1:

Improper watering.

Main symptoms: leaves turn yellow.

Solution: Pothos likes a hot and humid environment. Keep the potting soil moist; when the soil turns pale, water thoroughly. Reduce watering in winter, just keep the soil from drying out completely.

Common cause of death 2:

Inappropriate lighting.

Main symptoms: leaves turn yellow and wilt.

Solution:

Pothos prefers "partial shade" and avoids direct sunlight, but it should not be placed in a shaded spot for long periods either. In winter, when temperatures are lower, it can be kept in full sun.

Tip: In midsummer, spray water on the aerial roots and leaves several times a day. This both cleans the leaves and lowers the leaf surface temperature, increasing the humidity of the micro-environment.

4. Aloe (Aloe vera)

Aloe - can absorb harmful gases such as formaldehyde, a must-have for a new home.

Common cause of death 1:

Cold damage.

Main symptoms: leaves turn black.

Solution: Aloe is a tropical plant and is naturally afraid of cold. Below 0°C, the water in the leaves will freeze. When the temperature gradually drops below 5°C, it should be moved indoors to a south-facing, wind-sheltered, sunny spot.

Common cause of death 2:

Overwatering.

Main symptoms: root and stem rot.

Solution: Although it looks very full of water, the most important thing in caring for aloe is not to give too much water. Normally, spray or sprinkle water on the leaves to keep them slightly moist. In winter, keep the soil dry.

Tip: Potted aloe is best grown in a clay pot; porcelain and plastic pots are not suitable.

5. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus setaceus)

Asparagus Fern - very common, with a uniquely elegant character, the first choice of literati for refined taste.

Common cause of death 1:

Improper placement.

Main symptoms: branches and leaves turn yellow and wilt.

Solution: Asparagus Fern cannot be exposed to scorching sun, but it needs sunlight and air circulation; it is best kept away from stoves and televisions, and room temperature should not be below 5°C.

Common cause of death 2:

Overwatering.

Main symptoms: root and stem rot.

Solution: Do not water Asparagus Fern when the soil is not dry; when dry, water thoroughly, but do not let water accumulate in the pot.

Tip: If the Asparagus Fern wilts due to improper placement, cut off the withered leaves and continue caring for it; new shoots will still emerge.

6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider Plant - the popular "grassroots" orchid.

Common cause of death:

Improper placement.

Main symptoms: leaf tips wither.

Solution:

Spider Plant should be placed in a spot with little or no direct sunlight, avoiding strong light. Avoid letting the Spider Plant directly touch walls, iron racks, window frames, and other structures. Promptly wash the leaves to keep them fresh, and regularly cut off withered and dead leaves.

7. Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)

Rubber Tree - a plant that looks long-lived, though of course it depends on the owner's skill.

Common cause of death:

Temperature too low.

Main symptoms: leaves turn black and fall off, roots rot.

Solution: The Rubber Tree likes sunlight and is not cold-tolerant. In winter, move it indoors to a sunny spot, keep the room temperature above 10°C, and the minimum temperature should not drop below 5°C. From late April to early May of the following year, move it outdoors or to a balcony for care.

Tip: During the high-temperature summer period, the Rubber Tree grows faster and can be given heavy fertilizer and water.

8. Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)

Cyclamen - a world-famous flower. I heard it is easy to grow, but there are countless counterexamples around me.

Common cause of death 1:

Spraying water directly on the petals when watering.

Main symptoms: root rot, petal rot.

Solution:

It is best to water by soaking the bottom of the pot, and water again when the flowers and leaves are slightly wilted. Do not spray water on the petals, as it will cause them to rot.

Common cause of death 2:

Lack of ventilation.

Main symptoms: petals dry up and wither.

Solution:

Cyclamen likes ventilation. Smoke, dust, and stale air will cause the petals to dry up and wither, but it should not be placed directly in a drafty spot either.

Tip: Cyclamen should be placed in a sunny spot such as a window or balcony, and the pot position should be changed frequently. Sufficient light makes the flowers more vibrant and the leaves more glossy.

9. Ball Cactus (Echinopsis / Mammillaria)

Ball Cactus - if you can even kill this, you are truly a god among gardeners!

Common cause of death 1:

Pot too large.

Main symptoms: root rot.

Solution:

The pot should not be too large; it should be just big enough to hold the ball with a slight gap. If the pot is too large, the water cannot be absorbed after watering, and air cannot circulate in the pot, which easily causes root rot.

Common cause of death 2:

Overwatering or underwatering.

Main symptoms: the ball body rots.

Solution:

In winter, water sparingly on sunny mornings. In summer, water thoroughly in the early morning and evening; watering at noon can easily cause sunburn on the ball body.

Tip: For ball cacti with a sunken top, be careful not to let water get into the depression, as this can cause rot.

10. Rieger Begonia (Begonia × hiemalis)

Rieger Begonia - a New Year flower that has gradually become popular in recent years, with an extremely long blooming period.

Common cause of death 1:

Unsuitable temperature.

Main symptoms: leaf color turns yellow.

Solution:

The suitable temperature for Rieger Begonia is 18°C-22°C. In winter, place it indoors in a south-facing sunny spot as much as possible. In summer, when sustained high temperatures above 28°C occur, it can be placed in an air-conditioned room or a shaded area.

Common cause of death 2:

Improper watering.

Main symptoms: wilting, dying.

Solution:

The potting soil should be kept moist, not completely dry or overly wet; during the blooming period, do not water too much, otherwise the flowers will easily drop.

Tip: Rieger Begonia requires sufficient fertilizer and water during the growing period. Every two weeks, apply soaked soybean liquid or fermented rice water.