In the excitement of going back to “normality”, many might find that their plants are now in need of some extra love.
Whether you have been adventuring in the wild coastal spots of Northern Ireland or relaxing in a cosy country town of Cornwall, plants have been the last thing on your mind. Now you are back home, and your once green indoor jungle looks like a mosaic of yellows and browns. So, you may be wondering, is this the end for your beloved plants?
If this sounds a lot like you, not to worry, there might still be hope for your sad-looking plants. We spoke with Richard Cheshire, plant expert at Patch Plants, to get their top tips on how to tackle a rescue mission.
5 easy steps to bring a plant back to life
Check the bark
If your plant has a woody trunk or stalk, gently scratch its surface to reveal underneath. Should you see light green underneath the brown bark, there is still some life in it. Instead, if it is dry and brown, it may be too late.
Remove dead growth
Remove any yellow or dry leaves so that your plant can focus all of its energy on healthy growth. If the plant has healthy roots, pruning will help the plant pick itself back up.
Water it
Some plants might look completely dead when all they need is some water. For example, the aloe vera seems lifeless when it is dry, but it will quickly look full of life after a drink and some rest.
It best to water it lightly over a couple of days rather than watering it heavily. Trying to make up for the plant’s missed drinks is most likely going to drown the plant. Regular small amounts are better than flooding the soil.
Avoid the feed trap
An already stressed plant would be overwhelmed by the blast of nutrients. Instead, choose to treat it with fertiliser after its full recovery.
Be patient
Rescue projects will need some time to spring back to life. This is especially true in the winter months when a plant might be dormant and not grow much…
Rest assured, the wait will be worth it. There are few things more satisfying than seeing a seemingly dead plant burst back to life.
