Will my Houseplant Be Okay? / How to Tell

Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below.

Today, I’m going to answer a question I get quite a bit: Will my houseplant survive? This is always a tricky part, right? It’s like your houseplant is in the hospital after an accident, and you’re not sure if it’s going to survive when you see that it’s ailing, and then you start doing things to try to help it.

This guy here was pretty much on death’s door when I rescued him. This pot here was the smaller pot, and he’s not quite ready for the bigger pot yet. I am going to wait until he gets a little bigger, but I’ve set him in the larger pot now so that he doesn’t fall over. He was in pretty bad shape. He had mealybugs, and there was another trunk here that was in poor condition. I did remove that to save energy for the main trunk, which was smaller. He’s looking a lot better now, and he is going to survive. But there were several months when I wasn’t sure.

This is a Dracaena marginata, and for quite a while, it didn’t look good. So, one thing to keep in mind when you’re not sure if your plant will survive is to have patience. Do what you can to save the plant, and I have lots of videos on what to do, including how to treat a plant with root rot. Then, just give it some time.

Of course, the plant’s survival will depend on how far gone it is. Some signs that a plant may not have a good prognosis would be if there are no roots left or very few roots. However, even in that case, there is still hope. You can often propagate plants that no longer have roots and encourage new root growth. I have some series coming up on propagation, and I have a current series on rooting bromeliad pups, where you can see how to propagate. What you want to do is use rooting hormone on the area where the old roots were to help encourage new roots.

If there’s significant root rot, or if the plant is far gone, you may need to cut off some leaves and propagate them. In that case, the plant itself may not make it, so you would have to propagate to save it. Crown rot, where the base of the plant rots, can sever the plant from the roots. When this happens, it’s often the result of root loss, and the rot may even come up into the plant itself. I also have a video on how to handle crown rot.

If a plant experiences crown rot, you may need to propagate a stem. For example, with this plant, I could propagate a stem from higher up and get new roots. However, if the plant is still sturdy in its pot and the roots are still attached, you’re treating the pests and diseases properly, and you have the correct pot size, you should give the plant time. The right pot size is crucial, and I have videos on that as well.

If you’re doing all the right things, give the plant the proper lighting and watering it needs, and be patient. In the winter months, especially here in North America, it’s going to take longer for a plant to recover. This plant, for example, was really not looking good when I got it last winter, and it took the entire spring and summer to start showing good growth. It wasn’t until this fall that it began to put on nice, shiny, green growth.

Signs that your plant is going to survive include new growth. That’s a huge sign and one to celebrate! If you start seeing new leaves on the plant, like the ones here in the center of this Dracaena, that’s a positive indicator. As long as you continue to take good care of it, your plant will likely survive.

Other signs include shinier, healthier leaves. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a picture of this plant when I first got it, but the leaves were dull, and it had mealybugs. It looked sickly. Now, the leaves are shiny, healthy, and standing upright, not drooping. These are all good signs that your plant is on the mend and will pull through.

Please leave any comments below if you’ve had any plants that were not looking good but have started to improve—or vice versa. Let me know, and I’ll be happy to help. Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video. Also, click the bell to be notified when new videos are released.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my houseplant survive?

This depends on the current condition of your plant. If it still has roots, is sturdy in its pot, and you’re providing the right care, it has a good chance of survival. Patience is key!

What should I do if my plant has root rot?

If your plant has root rot, you should trim away the affected roots and use a rooting hormone to help it recover. It’s also important to adjust watering practices to prevent the issue from happening again.

Can a plant survive without roots?

Yes, you can often propagate a plant with no roots by using a rooting hormone. This will encourage new roots to form on the plant.

What is crown rot, and can it be treated?

Crown rot occurs at the base of the plant and can sever the plant from its roots. If the plant is severely affected, you may need to propagate a healthy stem from higher up on the plant.

How long does it take for a plant to recover?

This depends on the season and the plant’s condition. Recovery tends to be slower in winter, especially in North America. It could take months before you see new growth.

What are the signs that my plant is recovering?

New growth, shinier leaves, and the plant standing upright are all signs that your plant is on the mend. Keep providing proper care, and it should continue to improve.

What should I do if my plant has mealybugs?

Treat the plant by removing the mealybugs and using a pest control method. Mealybugs can affect a plant’s health, but with proper treatment, your plant can recover.

How can I tell if my plant needs a bigger pot?

If the plant becomes top-heavy or its roots start growing out of the bottom of the pot, it’s time for a bigger pot. Be careful not to place the plant in a pot that’s too large.

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