Calluna Vulgaris, also known as a heather plant, is a widely used and well-liked flowering plant that comes in various colors and sizes. It’s an easy-to-care-for plant that does well in sunlight and shade, making it a great option for novice gardeners. Unfortunately, diseases or pests can sometimes kill even the toughest plants. Don’t lose hope if your heather plant appears unhealthy. With a little work, you can bring it back to life.
Why is My Heather Plant Dying?
Your heather plant may be dying for several reasons. Finding the root of the problem is the first step in reviving it. Here are some of the most common causes of dying heather plants and what you can do to remedy them:
1. Overwatering
Overwatering is one of the most frequent causes of dying heather plants. Since they can withstand drought, heather plants only require weekly watering unless there has been an extended period of dry weather.
If you water your plants more frequently than once a week, the roots may rot, and the plant will eventually die. When a heather plant is overwatered, it is unable to absorb enough oxygen, and the roots begin to die.
If you suspect that you are overwatering your heather plant, look for the following signs:
- The plant’s leaves will begin to turn yellow or brown.
- Even with moist soil, the plant will wilt.
- A fungus will grow in the soil or on the plant.
- The leaves will develop brown splotches.
How To Fix
The first thing you should do is reduce watering if your heather plant is already showing symptoms of overwatering. Before watering again, let the soil completely dry out, and your plant might also need to be replanted in new, dry soil.
Check to see if your plant is in a well-draining pot. Without drainage holes, the roots will keep sitting in water and eventually rot. If the roots have already started to rot, you will need to remove the dead roots and repot the plant in new soil.
2. Underwatering
While overwatering is a common issue, drowning is another reason heather plants die. Although drought-tolerant, Heather plants still need water to survive. Lack of water will cause the plant’s leaves to drop and begin to brown. Furthermore, the stems will be frail and spindly.
Additionally, the plant will produce fewer flowers, and the leaves will be stunted and small.
How To Fix
If your heather plant is drowning, you should first increase the amount of water you give it. Each week, give your plant a thorough watering, ensuring the soil is moist. Water it early so the leaves have time to dry out before dusk. Water your plant only when the soil is completely dry because too much watering will cause the roots to rot.
3. Not Enough Sunlight
For optimum growth, heather plants require full sun to light shade. The plant will produce fewer flowers and develop yellowing leaves if it doesn’t receive enough sunlight. Furthermore, the stems will be frail and spindly.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you must increase the amount of sunlight your plant receives.
How To Fix
If your heather plant isn’t getting enough sunlight, move it to a brighter spot. Make sure it’s in a position that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day because heather plants require full sun to partial shade to thrive. A heather plant does well in a window that faces east or west. Consider using grow lights if you cannot relocate your plant to a more sunny location.
4. Too Much Sunlight
Heather plants require sunlight to grow, but too much or too little of it can be harmful. The leaves of your plant will become damaged and begin to turn brown if it receives too much sunlight. Furthermore, the stems will be frail and lanky.
Additionally, the leaves will be wrinkled and crispy and may fall off.
How To Fix
You must relocate your heather plant to a more shady area if it receives too much direct sunlight. Make sure it’s in a location that receives no more than six hours of direct sunlight daily because heather plants require full sun and partial shade to thrive. A heather plant does well in a window that faces east or west. If you are unable to move your plant to a more shady location, try filtering the light with a sheer curtain or blind.
5. Poor Drainage
Heather plants need well-drained soil to thrive. If the soil doesn’t drain properly, the roots will start to rot, and the plant will wilt. The leaves will also turn yellow and fall off.
How To Fix
You must first improve the soil’s drainage if your heather plant has poor drainage. Adding sand or grit to the soil is the best way to achieve this. You could also attempt to grow your heather in a pot or raised bed with drainage holes. If your pot lacks drainage holes, you can drill some.
6. Nutrient Deficiency
Heather plants require specific nutrients to thrive. The plant will begin to yellow, and the leaves will drop off if the soil lacks nutrients. Furthermore, the stems will be frail and spindly.
If you see any of these signs, it’s important to fertilize the soil.
How To Fix
You must first fertilize the soil if the nutrients required by your heather plant are inadequate. Any fertilizer will do, but organic fertilizer is recommended. You can also add organic matter or peat moss to the soil.
7. Root-Bound
Heather plants require space to flourish, and the plant will begin to wither if the roots are overcrowded and unable to access the nutrients they require. When the plant’s leaves start to yellow and drop off, they will eventually wilt and die.
If the roots protrude from the pot’s base or the plant shows signs of wilting, your heather plant may be root-bound.
How To Fix
Repotting is the first thing you should do if your heather plant is root-bound. Choose a pot that is two or three inches larger than the current one. Fill the new pot halfway with new, well-draining potting soil. Before putting the plant in the new pot, remove it from the old one and loosen the roots. If the roots are too long, you might need to cut them.
8. Overfertilization
To flourish, heather plants require a specific quantity of nutrients. The plant will begin to die if the soil is overfertilized. Overfertilization of the soil prevents the roots from receiving the nutrients they require, which causes the plant to turn yellow and eventually die.
Additionally, you’ll notice brown leaf tips or edges and stunted growth.
How To Fix
The first step you should take if your heather plant has been overfertilized is to flush the soil. To achieve this, thoroughly water the plant and allow all of the water to drain away. Repeat this process once a week for three weeks. This will facilitate the soil’s removal of excess fertilizer. You can also fill the pot with new, well-draining potting soil.
9. Pests
Heather plants are susceptible to extensive damage from pests. Spider mites and scale insects are examples of common pests. These pests weaken and kill the plant by sucking out its sap. Pests can also transmit diseases to plants.
If the leaves of your Heather Plant are covered in webbing and the plant is wilting, you know it has pests. If you notice any of these symptoms, treating the plant for pests is critical as soon as possible.
How To Fix
The first step you should take if your heather plant has pests is to get rid of them. This can be done manually or with a hose. Use a hose to spray pests with a powerful stream of water to get rid of them. This will cause them to fall off the plant.
A natural insecticide like neem oil is another option. To use neem oil, combine it with water as directed on the bottle. Once you’ve done that, spray it on the plant, covering the leaves’ undersides.
10. Diseases
Heather plants can suffer significant harm from diseases as well. Powdery mildew and root rot are two common diseases. A fungus attacks the plant’s roots, causing root rot, and the plant may wilt and eventually die. Powdery mildew is caused by fungi that grow on the plant’s leaves, which may result in the leaves developing a white powdery coating.
Other symptoms include black or brown spots on the leaves and soft, mushy stems. If you notice any of these symptoms, the plant must be treated for diseases.
How To Fix
The first step in treating a diseased heather plant is to remove the affected leaves. Check the plant’s roots to see if they are rotten. If they are, you must remove them before replanting the plant. Neem oil, for example, is a natural fungicide that you can use to treat the plant. This will aid in the fungus’s death and stop it from spreading.
To wrap up, beautiful, low-maintenance plants like Calluna Vulgaris, or “heather plants,” can add color to your garden. They can, however, die for no obvious cause. It’s crucial to identify the cause of your heather plant’s problems so you can address them.
The most frequent reasons for heather plant death include improper watering, excessive or insufficient sunlight, and poor drainage. A heather plant can also perish from pests and diseases.
Your heather plant can be brought back to life if you can figure out the issue and take the necessary actions to solve it.