The major reasons why some house plants do not flourish are:
(1) too much or too little light
(2) too much or too little water
(3) too low or too high humidity
(4) improper pot ting soil
(5) too high or too low temperatures
(6) too much or too little feeding
(7) insects and diseases.

Light:
Insufficient light over a long period manifests itself in spindly stems, yellow green foliage color, and leaf drop. Eventually, all growth stops and the plant dies.

Plants in the home seldom get an overdose of light. If, however, they’ve been accustomed to filtered light and you move them into a sunny window, leafburn or paling of foliage may soon become noticeable.

Different plants require varying amounts of light. In general, foliage plants can survive with much less light than those that produce bloom. If you choose the right plant for the light you can offer, you’ll have few light troubles.

Water:
If a plant receives too little water, it wilts. However, this seldom causes serious damage unless it occurs frequently; then, it stunts growth and causes flower drop.

Too much water is a more common problem. The first symptom is usually dropping of lower leaves. New leaves may continue to appear on top, but an overwatered plant gets leggy and bare of foliage at the base.

If you suspect that a plant has had too much water, tap it out of its pot and look at the roots. Root tips should be white. If they are brown, remove soil and repot in loose, spongy soil. Water less frequently.

Humidity:
Few house plants suffer from too much humidity. Average homes have humidity readings of 30 percent and less in the coldest months, insufficient for many plants.

Raise humidity with a cool vapor humidifier or by setting pots in a waterproof tray, on a layer of pebbles, with the water level kept below the top of the pebbles. Signs of too little humidity are browning of leaf tips and margins, and, with flowering plants, bud drop and failure to produce bloom.

Temperature:
Most house plants tolerate average home temperatures ranging from 60 to 75.

Feeding:
Most plants go into a semidormant or reduced growth period during the winter months. (A few are dormant at other times.) They should not be fed during those periods.

Insects and diseases: Plants that are grown indoors are seldom attacked by either insects or diseases if you buy them from a reputable florist or greenhouse grower. The only disease, as distinct from infestation by insects, that occurs often enough to consider here is caused by soil-borne, rot-producing organisms. In young plants, it is known as ‘damping off.’ In older plants, it is called ‘stem rot.’ To make sure that the potting soil you prepare is not infected, bake the moist soil mixture at 250 for 1¹/₂ hours in a closed metal container. As there is no effective remedy, plants having this disease should be destroyed promptly.

What To Do About Insects
Those insects that attack house plants can be effectively controlled with the same chemicals that are used to eliminate similar garden pests if the manufacturer’s precautions are strictly observed.

To prevent pests from getting a start, clean plants often by syringing in the sink or by cleaning foliage with a soft, damp cloth. Use lukewarm water; support each leaf with one hand as you wipe the top with the other.

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