Tips and Tricks of Plant Care

What Makes Leaves Shrivel in Plants and How to Prevent It

Find What Makes Leaves Shrivel in Plants and How to Prevent It by following the given measures and have healthy foliage.

Read What Makes Leaves Shrivel in Plants and How to Prevent It. Give attention to the given reasons that make your leaves dull and lifeless. Follow the simple tricks to prevent this issue.


What Makes Leaves Shrivel in Plants and How to Prevent It

What Makes Leaves Shrivel in Plants and How to Prevent It 1

1. Dehydrated Plants

Thirsty plants shrivel and percolate instantly when you water them. The affected foliage appears soft and leathery, whereas badly drought-affected plants show flagging, limp, dry brown leaves.

How to Prevent: Adequate soil moisture is the key to avoiding such issues. Water the plant thoroughly according to its type and climatic conditions (hot or cold).

Remember that outdoor plants continue to drink water in winter that makes it necessary to hydrate them in fall before winter arrives, and the ground freezes, especially for evergreens and newly-cultivated plants.

2. Overwatering

Overwatering is the cause that causes shriveled foliage in indoor plants. When soil is entirely saturated with water and lacks oxygen then roots fail and become unable to absorb water efficiently.

How to Prevent: Allow the plant to dry out between watering, stick your finger for checking the soil moisture. Read signs of overwatering and how to save an overwatered plant here.

3. Heat Stress

Heat stress makes fast evaporation so leaves curl up to preserve moisture. The plants that are placed near high-intensity lights can lead to heat stress. But it can be an issue in any home where the temperatures are constantly above 80 F.

How to Prevent: Install fans to extinguish hot air and bring cool air. For preventing, watch the temperature in the room and around the upper area of plants. Keep consistent ventilation and provide adequate spacing between the plants and light.

4. Pests

Many pests make leaves shrivel; pests like; aphids can deform leaf appearance and cause shriveled foliage. Whiteflies and thrips are some other pests that can cause shrivel or curled foliage.

How to Prevent: Aphids can be seen on the growing tips and undersides of leaves; spray them using insecticidal soap. If the infestation is serious, cut the affected parts.

5. Cold Weather

Extreme cold temperatures can starve, freeze the cells of the plants, which stops the natural paths for water and nutrients, it makes the foliage shriveled and parched.

How to Prevent: If the leaves are shriveled or parched, it could be because the plant is placed near an air-conditioning vent or close to a window that catches a cool breeze. Chilling air blustering directly on plants can strip off their moisture.

Check the plant’s location; if it is kept in an air-conditioned room, move it to a room that is not air-conditioned.

6. Low Humidity

Dry air and low humidity in homes can make the leaves dry, yellow, and shriveled; it is also a sign that plants require more humidity. People who live in cool climates face this issue the most.

How to Prevent: You can save the plants by following these tricks; check here.

7. Over Fertilization

Overfertilization can lead to many problems, which include brown leaf margins, leaf drop, black-brown or rotting roots, yellow wilting or shriveled lower leaves. Some beginner gardeners tempt to fertilize the plant more in greed of fast growth that results in a weak plant that is susceptible to pests and diseases.

How to Prevent: Every plant has specific fertilization needs; usually, plants have to be fertilized in spring and summer. If you find it difficult to ascertain when and how to fertilize a plant, follow the instructions on the label. In the case of a new plant, ask nursery staff about its feeding requirements.

Avoid feeding the plant when plants go dormant in fall and winter. Keep the soil moist while using fertilizer, or feed the plant when watering.

Meet Shaz Holms, a passionate gardening enthusiast and Arizona arborist. With 15 years of experience, he not only owns a thriving nursery but has also penned numerous insightful articles on gardening. His green thumb and writing prowess combine to create bountiful content for all plant lovers.

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