Gently remove the plant from its container. The roots may even wind around the inside of the container, making it difficult for them to uptake water and nutrients. Over time, most plants outgrow their pots. The water will evaporate and humidify the air near the plant. Place a shallow pan filled with small rocks beneath the plant and add a little water. Plants like ferns require humidity to thrive, humidity that the average living room might not offer. For some plants, getting enough water is not sufficient. Then move the plant into an appropriate location. If you aren’t sure what this particular plant prefers, find out online or at the garden store. Some plants need direct sun, some indirect sun and some shade. If your pot’s drainage is inadequate, it’s time to transplant. A small plant container needs a drain hole of at least ½ inch (1.2 cm.) diameter, while a larger plant container needs holes twice that size. Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out. If the container soil is wet to the touch even though you haven’t watered in a while, the plant’s is suffering from excess water caused by overwatering or poor drainage.

Plants intake water through their leaves as well as their roots. After that, hose or spray down all remaining stems and foliage. Pour water into the plant pot until it runs freely from the drainage holes in the bottom. This kind of damage can be corrected quickly if you catch it in time.

If the soil is hard, compacted, cracked and dry, inadequate water is probably the issue. A plant’s home is its container or garden bed, so dig around in the soil for evidence. Keep the faith! Any green, flexible stems make it likely you can revive your plant.

If you see green inside, it’s alive and should not be removed. If you aren’t sure whether a branch is dead, try the scratch test – use a fingernail to scrape off some of the outer layer of skin. Clip off all dead leaves and branches from plants that look dead and remove all fallen foliage. You won’t be able to assess the chance of reviving your plant if it is choked with dead leaves. Scorched or transparent leaves? Too much or too little sun. Brown, dry leaves and stems may mean too little water. Drooping, yellowing leaves can indicate too much water. Your best chance of helping the plant is to figure out what’s going on, so look carefully at the damage. Most ailing plants are suffering from improper cultural care. Resuscitated with prompt, effective action.

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