Top 5 Reasons Your Indoor Plants Aren’t Thriving (and How to Fix Them)
Are your peace lilies wilting, your Monstera not unfurling, or your pothos looking pale? Indoor plants can be surprisingly sensitive to small changes in their environment. This guide breaks down the 5 most common reasons your houseplants might be struggling—and how to bring them back to life.1. Insufficient Light
Even “low light” plants need *some* sunlight. Without adequate light, photosynthesis slows, resulting in yellowing, leggy stems, and stunted growth.
Fix it: Move your plant closer to a bright window, ideally one with indirect morning sun. Rotate your plants weekly to ensure even exposure. Avoid dark corners or enclosed rooms without windows.
2. Overwatering or Poor Drainage
One of the most common causes of root rot. Symptoms include soft stems, yellowing leaves, and musty-smelling soil.
Fix it: Ensure pots have adequate drainage holes. Use a free-draining indoor potting mix. Let the top inch of soil dry before watering again. Avoid saucers collecting water under pots.
3. Lack of Nutrients
Pale leaves, slow growth, and no new foliage may signal a nutrient deficiency—especially in potted plants with exhausted soil.
Fix it: Feed your plants with a gentle, balanced indoor fertiliser every 2–4 weeks during spring and summer. CompleteGrow’s Indoor Plant Food Concentrate is ideal for safe, measured feeding that won’t burn roots.
4. Temperature Stress or Drafts
Sudden cold snaps, heater vents, or air conditioning can shock plants. Leaves may curl, drop, or develop brown edges.
Fix it: Keep your plants in a stable environment, away from direct airflow. Most indoor plants prefer 18–26°C. Avoid placing them near doors, windows or appliances that emit heat or cold.
5. Wrong Pot Size or Repotting Shock
If your plant is root-bound or recently repotted, it might react by pausing growth or dropping leaves.
Fix it: Repot only during active growth (spring/summer) using a pot just 1–2 sizes larger. Be gentle with the roots. After repotting, water lightly and wait a few weeks before fertilising again.
Need a Boost?
Bring your plants back to life with CompleteGrow’s Indoor Plant Food Concentrate — a low-odor, easy-to-mix liquid fertiliser formulated for healthy leaf growth, vibrant colour, and no risk of overfeeding. Suitable for peace lily, Monstera, pothos, fiddle leaf fig and more.
