Why are the leaves dropping on my plant?

Losing leaves on your indoor plants? It's a common problem, even with favourites like Monsteras, Philodendrons, and Ficus plants. The trick is to figure out why your plant's unhappy and fix it. That could mean changing how often you water, giving it a humidifier-buddy, finding a brighter (or shadier!) spot, or tackling those pests. By understanding what your plant needs, you can keep those leaves where they belong – on the plant!

Why is My Plant Trying to Get Naked?! Help!

Seeing leaves drop is stressful, especially if you're new to plants. The good news is, most of the time it's fixable, and your plant isn't trying to spite you. Let's play detective...

Usual Suspects: Causes of Leaf Drop

1. Watering Woes: This is the top culprit!
   • Overwatering: Roots get mushy, plant basically drowns = leaves fall off as it panics
   • Under watering: Crispy, papery leaves that crumble easily are usually a sign it's thirsty
2. Tropicals in the Desert: Lots of popular plants need higher humidity than the average home has, especially in winter when the heating's on.
3. Hot & Cold Drama: Drafts from doors, AC vents, or being right up against a radiator will cause problems, even for tough plants.
4. Light = Plant Food: Too little, and they start dropping leaves to save energy. A gradual move closer to a window often helps (sudden changes can shock them though)
5. Creepy Crawly Culprits: Sap-sucking bugs are surprisingly common. Check for sticky residue, tiny webs, or the insects themselves (photo helps us ID them)
6. The Dreaded 'D' Word: Disease is less common, but does happen. Usually there are other signs, like spots, mushy patches etc, not just plain leaf drop.

Step 1: Soil Snooping:

• Not Just the Top: Poke your finger down an inch or two. It's the roots that matter, and the top layer can dry out deceptively fast
• Soggy Swamp = Bad: If water squelches out when you prod the soil, overwatering is VERY likely the cause of leaf drop
• Crumbly = Thirsty: Time to water! Crispy leaves confirm it's been too dry

Step 2: Humidity Hunt:

• Tropical Vibes or Desert?: Our plant guides tell you what your plant prefers. Most common houseplants need more humidity than the average home
• Measuring the Mystery: Hygrometers are cheap! Knowing the exact % humidity stops the guesswork if this is the issue.

Step 3: Temperature Check:

• Hidden Hotspots & Cold Corners: Don't just go by how the room feels to YOU. The windowsill gets much hotter/colder than the middle of the room.
• Thermometer Time: An actual reading takes away the doubt. Most houseplants are happiest in the same temp range humans like

Step 4: Plant Detective

• Get Up Close: Magnifying glass is useful for spotting tiny bugs. Early treatment = less leaf loss
• "What the Heck IS That?" Send us photos of weird spots, sticky bits, etc. We're pretty good at plant disease ID
• Light Logic: Sudden moves = shock = leaf drop. But gradual moves towards a brighter spot often cause amazing improvement over time

Leaf Drop Solved: Your Plant Recovery Plan

Now you know WHY it's happening, let's get those leaves growing back! Here's how:

Watering SOS:

• Overwatering: Repotting into fresh, dry soil is often the fastest fix for severe cases. Leave it a few days before watering.
• Underwatering: A good soak, then check the soil more often. Bottom watering (pot sits in water for a while) can help VERY dry plants recover faster
• "But What's Normal Watering?" Our plant guides have the answer, which stops the problem coming back.

Humidity Help:

• Easy Wins: Pebble tray under the pot, or grouping plants closely, boosts humidity a bit with zero effort. Great if that's all your plant needs
• Humidifier Power: Serious about your tropical plants? A humidifier gives you precise control, and means less misting etc
• Know Your Limits: Some plants will NEVER be happy in low humidity. Better to choose ones that suit your home, than fight a losing battle.

Temperature Tweaks:

• Simple Fixes: Plant stand to get it away from a heater, or a sheer curtain to block drafts, sometimes makes a huge difference
• Get Geeky (Optional): Cheap min/max thermometer tells you if the room really is as stable as you think

Light Levels Made Easy:

• Eyes Aren't Enough: Light meters are surprisingly affordable! Takes the guesswork out of "is this spot brighter?"
• Go Slow: Plants HATE sudden light changes. If yours is really struggling, brighter is better long-term, but move it gradually so you don't cause MORE leaf drop

Pest Patrol & Disease:

• Prevention is Key: Checking new plants BEFORE putting them with others avoids a lot of hassle. Our guide has pics of the usual suspects
• Treat Early, Treat Right: Wrong treatment can make things worse. We'll ID the problem and suggest the best solution, even if that means replacing the plant is the kindest option

Plants That Play Nicer:

Sometimes, your home just isn't right for certain divas. We get it! Luckily, there are loads of gorgeous, EASY plants out there