We all have that one plant we just struggle to grow. Doesn't it drive you nuts other people make it look so easy? For me, that plant was Sweet Pea. I killed it year after year because I didn't understand what it needed. You can read more about that here.
Sweet Pea, once I learned what it liked, isn't hard at all; I just needed to make a couple of tiny adjustments. I've found this to be true with most plants - you just need to learn what to adjust!
At the end of this article, I've listed the 4 Horsemen I check first. If one of those 4 don't remedy the issue, it's time for a deep dive!
I've built a four-page guide to help identify everything you could possibly need to know to build a complete plant profile, and you'll find some questions to help you learn about harvest, too!
You'll be guided through difference aspects of individual plant needs and preferences. With the internet at your side, you will learn so much about your problem plants. With a little work, I promise you'll gain confidence from in your own research. If along the way you find a detail I've left off the guide, please reach out so I can add it for future readers.
Here's a link to the Google document! This will ask you to make a copy, but then you can download or add to your Google Drive. If you prefer to work with a pdf, here's a link to that instead.
Before jumping into theguide, I always start with these items:
Light
Plants need sunlight to photosynthesize and grow. If your plant is looking leggy or pale, it might not be getting enough light. Try moving it to a brighter spot or investing in a grow light to supplement its light intake.
Watering
One of the most common issues with indoor plants is overwatering. If your plant's leaves are turning yellow or dropping off, it might be a sign of too much water. Make sure to let the soil dry out between waterings and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
Pests
If you notice tiny bugs crawling on your plant or sticky residue on the leaves, you might have a pest problem.
Soil
The type of soil your plant is in can hugely affect its health and lead to other problems like root rot. See what your plant needs. Do your growing conditions match?
I hope this helps inspire you to overcome some obstacles and give that trouble plant another try. I know you can do it!