How to take care of unhealthy plants

Just Like people, plants need extra attention and care too. Having plants around not only reduce stress and fatigue but also, boost your moods, productivity, concentration, and creativity.

Plants have a fantastic ability to Clean indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity, and producing oxygen. Even having a plant at your work desk gives you energy and a feeling of liveliness while working.

But have you ever wondered why your plants turn yellow or brown even after watering them regularly? Let us tell you Insects or plant diseases are not always the reason, some symptoms are an indication of nutrient deficiency or overload. 

What are the common signs of Unhealthy plants:

The most common visual sign of a plant nutrient deficiency of a plant is leaf discoloration or distortion. Almost all deficiency symptoms look similar and it is also common that your plants might be facing a combination of nutrient deficiencies.

Here are the common symptoms of nutrient deficiencies in plants:

• When your Plant Leaves become burnt or scorched.
• Yellow or Dead Leaf Tips and Edges
• Small or stunted leaves
• Holes in new leaves
• Yellowing between leaf veins
• Brown, Mushy Roots
• Little or no growth of your plant 
• Constantly Yellowing and browning of leaves.

How Do Plants Get Their Nutrients?

Soil, Water, and Sunlight are the main sources from where the plants get their nutrients. Water transports the nutrients of soil to various plant parts. So, along with a good supply of essential nutrients, the right amount of water is also very important.

The right pH balance of the soil is of utmost importance. Each plant has its own pH range to be able to access the nutrients in the soil, soil that is too acidic and too alkaline can disturb the plant nutrition intake level. 

So the most important question arises, what are the nutrients that a Healthy Plant Needs?

1. Nitrogen (N)

Symptoms:

• Poor growth of your plant 
• Yellowing of older plants
• Thin Stems

Nitrogen play important role in rapid growth, especially for fruit and seed development. And is the most vital nutrient for a plant and is required the most. Plants take nitrogen in the form of either nitrate or ammonium which is water-soluble. It runs off with water every time the plant is watered.And enables the plant to capture optimum sunlight energy by photosynthesis.

2. Phosphorus (P)

Symptoms:

• Discoloration or distortion ( Purple or bronze )on the underside of older leaves.
• Stunted growth of the plant.

Just Like Nitrogen, Phosphorus is also a macronutrient that the plant required for protein formation, bloom stimulation, and budding. Plants absorb Phosphorus in the form of phosphate. The shortfall of this nutrient is responsible for the slow and stunted growth of a plant.

3. Potassium (K)

Symptoms:

• Curling of leaf tips 
• Chlorosis (yellowing) between leaf veins.
• Plant Leaves become burnt or scorched.

Potassium is the third crucial nutrient for a plant. It helps plants in formulating sugars for protein synthesis and cell division in root and plant development. Plants absorb Potassium as an ion, which is water-soluble. Potassium also improves plants’ resistance to diseases and keeps them healthy and lively.

4. Calcium (Ca)

Symptoms:

• Slow plant and root growth 
• Roots become short and stubby

Calcium is the architect of the plant cell wall and provides structural support to the plant. Calcium is also crucial in activating certain enzymes and sending signals that coordinate certain cellular activities.

5. Manganese (Mn)

Symptoms:

• Smaller new leaves
• Dying leaf tips

Manganese sustains metabolic roles within different plant cell compartments and is also an enzyme activator for nitrogen absorption and assimilation. In plants, Mn is one of the essential elements for growth and reproduction. 

Plants are marvellous elements of nature and always make people better and happier when around. We must take care of plants the way plants take care of us. Plants Need Balanced combination and concentration of Nutrient.

Taking the right cautions to stop nutrient deficiency can bring back the plant to prime health. Subscribe to our newsletter to get more important information about plants and stay up to date.