The Umbrella plant is a tough little plant that can forgive neglect. But you need to follow the rules, like giving it too much water or putting it at the wrong temperature, or else you can have severe problems.
The leaves will start getting spots, turn yellow, and fall off. If you don’t fix things quickly, your plant might die.
But if you act fast, you can save it by taking healthy cuttings. Before you do anything, you must figure out why the umbrella plant is dying.
What Happens When an Umbrella Plant Dies?
When an Umbrella plant dies, the leaves eventually turn black and fall off as the plant withers away.
This can happen for various reasons, including too much or too little sunlight, over or under-watering, and poor soil conditions that cause the leaves to discolor and the stems to lose vigor.
- However, it’s important to note that an Umbrella plant can also lose its leaves due to environmental changes.
- For example, if you just purchased the plant, it may adapt to its new surroundings. Sudden changes in temperature or humidity can also cause leaf drop.
- Additionally, if the plant produces flowers or fruits, it may take up nutrients that generally go to the leaves.
If your Umbrella plant loses its leaves for these reasons, it’s not necessarily dying. However, if the leaves turn black and fall off for no apparent reason, it may be a sign that the plant is beyond saving.
Causes and Remedies for an Umbrella Plant Dying
An Umbrella plant can die for several reasons, such as lack of sunlight, improper watering practices, and changes in weather conditions during the season.
However, with proper treatment, it can often recover. Let’s look at some of the causes and remedies for Umbrella plant wilting, so you can identify the problem and take the proper steps to treat it.
Cause 1: Lack of Sunlight
An umbrella plant needs plenty of sunlight to thrive. Although it’s highly shade-tolerant and can be grown indoors, it can weaken and eventually die if left in the shade for too long and fails to undergo photosynthesis.
What to do
If the plant doesn’t receive enough sunlight, it will become less and less vigorous. Therefore, place it in a location that receives as much sun as possible, or expose it to sunlight regularly. During spring and summer, it’s best to grow them outdoors as much as possible.
Cause 2: Exposure to Direct Sunlight
Umbrella plants can get leaf burn if it’s exposed to direct sunlight. Leaf burn is the partial discoloration and death of the leaves.
Therefore, you should be especially careful when the sun is strong in the summer.
How to deal with it
If you’re growing the plant indoors, place it behind lace curtains to avoid direct sunlight. When growing outdoors, keep it in a location where it won’t be exposed to western sunlight in the summer.
Also, gradually moving the plant indoors to outdoors to acclimate to the new location. If it’s suddenly moved to a place with strong sunlight, it’s more likely to burn the leaves.
Cause 3: Improper Watering
Did you know that watering your Umbrella plant can be a bit tricky? You don’t want to water it too much or too little, or it might die. The amount of water it needs depends on the season, but here are some general guidelines.
During the spring and summer, you should water your Umbrella plant when the soil on top becomes dry and white.
But don’t worry too much about watering it daily since these plants are good at handling dry spells. However, you might want to be extra careful in the summer, as the soil can dry quickly.
How to Water Umbrella Plant Correctly
When it comes to watering, it’s best to do it in the morning or evening when it’s cooler outside.
And don’t be afraid to give your plant plenty of water – just make sure you stop when the water starts coming out of the pot’s bottom.
Don’t forget to drain excess water from the saucer underneath the pot!
One more thing to remember: after you water your Umbrella plant, it’s essential to let it breathe by ensuring good ventilation in the room.
If you’re keeping your plant outside, it’s a good idea to put it on a raised surface like a planter stand so that the bottom of the pot doesn’t get too wet and cause root rot.
You can water your plant less frequently in the colder months from November to March since it won’t grow as much. And if it’s freezing outside, it’s best to keep the plant dry altogether.
Cause 4: Your Plant Is Feeling The Cold
Did you know your Umbrella plant is tough and can handle the cold? It should be okay if the temperature stays above 32 °F (0°C).
But if you leave it in a place that gets too chilly, like outside on a frosty night, the leaves can get damaged or change color.
What to do
If you live in an area that doesn’t get frost, you can keep your Umbrella plant outside or on the ground.
But if you’re in a colder place, it’s best to keep your plant in a pot and make sure it’s somewhere that won’t get too cold or frosty.
Even if you keep your Umbrella plant indoors, you’ll want to be careful where you put it in the winter.
Keep it close to a window during the day so it can soak up some sunlight and warmth, but move it away from the window at night when things get chilly.
By giving your Umbrella plant a cozy spot to grow, you’ll be helping it thrive all year round!
Cause 5: Your Umbrella Plant’s Roots Are Feeling Cramped
Did you know that if you keep your Umbrella plant in the same pot for too long, its roots can get all tangled up and feel cramped?
When that happens, the roots can’t absorb water and nutrients properly, and your plant can look sickly.
Helping Your Umbrella Plant Breathe Easy
The good news is that it’s easy to fix root blockage and give your Umbrella plant the space it needs to thrive! Since these plants grow fast, it’s a good idea to repot them every year or two.
Then, simply get a new pot one size bigger than the old one and gently transfer your plant to its new home.
The best time to do this is during the growing season, from April to September. Here’s how to do it:
- Take the plant out of its old pot and gently shake off the soil.
- Use your hands to loosen the old soil from the roots. Don’t be afraid to get in there and give the roots some space!
- Trim away any old or damaged roots, so your plant can start fresh in its new pot.
- Get a new pot that’s slightly bigger than the old one. You’ll want to put a net or some pumice stones on the bottom to help drainage.
- Fill the pot with soil that drains well. You can use environmental plants or commercially available soil, like cultured soil.
- Place your Umbrella plant in the new pot and fill the gaps with soil. If your plant is more than a meter tall, you might want to put up a pole and tie it with string to keep it stable.
- Give your plant a nice big drink of water, and voila! Your Umbrella plant has a new home.
- Find a spot for your newly repotted plant that’s well-ventilated and not in direct sunlight. Your Umbrella plant will be so happy in its new, roomier home!
6- The Umbrella Plant Is Dying Because Of Root Rot
Umbrella plants are low-maintenance houseplants that thrive in dry conditions and don’t require daily watering.
However, overwatering can lead to a common issue: root rot, which can cause wilting and even kill the plant.
Preventive Measures
To prevent root rot, it’s important to water only when the soil surface is dry. In colder weather, wait for the soil surface to dry for 2-3 days before watering.
Remember to empty any water that collects in the saucer as well.
Learn how to revive an Umbrella or Schefflera plant suffering from root rot with some helpful tips and tricks.
7- Dry Air Causes Umbrella Plant to Wither and Die
If you want to keep your Umbrella plant healthy, you must pay attention to the air around it. This houseplant is quite resilient in drought but can still suffer if the air gets too dry.
The solution is simple.
Mist the leaves regularly. In fact, it’s a good idea to mist them once a day during the winter months.
Not only will this keep your Umbrella plant from drying out, but it will also help to keep pests like aphids and spider mites at bay.
8- Avoid Direct Air Conditioning Wind to Keep Your Umbrella plant Thriving
If you plan to grow an Umbrella plant indoors, it’s important to note that it can tolerate shade.
However, beware of placing it directly in the path of air conditioning wind. This can cause the plant to wither and eventually die.
Here’s What You Can Do
To keep your Umbrella plant healthy, ensure it is not exposed to direct wind from the air conditioner.
If you notice any signs of deterioration in the plant’s growth, such as wilted leaves or stunted growth, it’s time to act fast.
First, move the plant to an area that is out of the wind and receives sufficient sunlight. This will help the plant regain its vigor and continue to thrive.
9- Common Diseases and Pests That Can Harm Your Umbrella Plant
Growing an Umbrella plant can be a delightful experience, but it’s crucial to be aware of potential diseases and pests that can harm your plant. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Bacterial spot
- Anthracnose
- Spider mites
- Scale insect
- Aphids
It’s crucial to address these issues as soon as you spot them to prevent further damage to the plant. Here’s what you can do to deal with each of them:
Bacterial Spot: The Sneaky Disease That Can Kill Your Umbrella plant Plant
Your Umbrella plant is not immune to the pesky bacterial spot disease, which manifests as small pale yellowish spots on leaves and stems.
These spots may look harmless at first, but if ignored, they can quickly spread and turn brown, causing the leaves to wither away.
To prevent further damage, it’s important to act fast and remove any infected leaves as soon as you spot them.
Cutting off the infected branch is necessary if the bacterial spot has reached the stem.
Once you’ve removed the branch, place it in a well-ventilated area to avoid overwatering and further spread of the disease.
Early intervention is key to saving your Umbrella plant from this sneaky disease.
Anthracnose: The Leaf-Killing Disease You Need to Watch Out For
If you’re a plant lover, you need to be aware of the pesky disease known as anthracnose.
This disease mainly targets the leaves, creating small blackish-brown spots that gradually spread throughout the leaf, leaving behind holes and causing it to die from the tip.
But that’s not all. Anthracnose also generates a lot of mold spores, making it especially dangerous in hot and humid environments.
So, watch for any signs of this disease and take action immediately if you spot it.
If you do find yourself dealing with anthracnose, don’t panic. Simply cut off the infected leaves, as they will not recover.
Spraying a copper-based fungicide such as Southern Ag Liquid Copper Fungicide is recommended to prevent further spread.
Spider Mites: The Tiny Pests That Can Wreak Havoc on Your Umbrella Plant
If you’re a plant parent, you’ve probably heard of spider mites – those pesky little creatures only 0.5 mm in size and can wreak havoc on your plants.
They’re usually red or yellowish-green in color and live on the underside of leaves, sucking out nutrients and leaving behind white speckles.
If left unchecked, spider mites can cause your plants to wither and die, so taking action as soon as you spot them is important.
There are a few ways to get rid of spider mites. One option is to use neem oil that’s effective against mites.
Alternatively, if you only have a small infestation, you can use tape to remove them. Just be sure to use tape that’s not too sticky, as overly adhesive tape can damage the leaves.
Scale Insects Can Weaken and Kill Your Plant
You’ve probably heard of scale insects – those pesky little pests about 3mm long and covered in white fluff.
Like many other plant pests, scale insects suck out juice and weaken the stock, which can eventually lead to plant death if left unaddressed.
Luckily, there are ways to eliminate scale insects, depending on whether they’re larvae or adults. In the case of larvae, you can use a special insecticide to exterminate them.
However, when scale insects reach adulthood, they develop a hard shell on their bodies, making it more difficult for insecticides to work.
In this case, your best bet is to scrape them off one by one using a toothbrush or spatula. Be careful not to rub too hard, as you don’t want to damage your Umbrella plant.
If you have too many scale insects and it’s difficult to remove them individually, cutting them off may be a better option.
While it may seem extreme, sometimes cutting off infected parts of the plant is better than damaging it further by rubbing the scale insects too hard.
Aphids: The Tiny Pests That Can Cause Big Problems for Your Plants
When planting pests, aphids are a force to be reckoned with. These tiny insects are only 2 to 4 mm and come in various colors, including white, red, green, and black.
Both larvae and adults suck nutrients from leaves and buds, and if left unchecked, they can quickly multiply and form colonies, causing big problems for your plants.
But that’s not all. Aphids also carry viruses like soot disease in their bodies, which can quickly spread to your Umbrella plant through the places they suck.
So even if your plant doesn’t become sick, it can lose vitality and eventually die if infested with aphids.
If you spot aphids on your plant, taking action immediately is important. You can eliminate them using a particular insecticide or tape, like spider mites.
However, be mindful of the tape’s stickiness to avoid damaging your plant.
Dealing with aphids can be a hassle, but with vigilance and know-how, you can keep your plants healthy and thriving. Early intervention is critical to preventing these tiny pests from causing big problems.
How to Save Your Dying Umbrella Plant: Tips and Tricks
If you’re a plant parent, you know how devastating it can be to see your beloved Umbrella plant slowly withering away.
But don’t give up just yet! Even if the plant seems beyond repair, you can try a few tricks to revive it and bring it back to life.
If the plant has wholly withered, restoring it is impossible. In this case, you’ll need to cut it off and start fresh. However, if even a portion of the plant is still healthy, there’s hope for revival.
Trimming Your Umbrella plant: Cut Off Dead Leaves and Keep Your Plant Thriving
Trimming your Umbrella plant is essential to plant care that can help keep it healthy and thriving. Here are a few tips on how to trim your Umbrella plant and remove dead leaves:
Cut off any dead leaves as soon as you notice them. Dead leaves will not revive, so removing them is important to keep your plant looking healthy.
The good news is that the Umbrella plant is fast-growing, so that new leaves will return soon.
If you want to prevent your Umbrella plant from growing too large or losing its vigor, you can also cut it back by removing leaves and stems.
Use pruning scissors to cut off any yellowish leaves or leaves that have fallen off at the bottom of the plant from the base of the branches.
You can also cut back leaves that have spread horizontally or upper branches that have grown too high.
Once you’ve trimmed your Umbrella plant, don’t throw away the cut-off branches and leaves! You can use them to propagate new plants.
Growing Your Umbrella plant Family: How to Propagate from Cuttings
You know the joy of growing your plant family. One way to do this is by propagating your Umbrella plant from cuttings. Here’s how you can take cuttings and grow new plants:
How to Take Cuttings:
- Cut off a healthy branch about 10 cm from the tip.
- To increase the water supply surface, cut the end of the cutting in a V-shape and make it pointy.
- Leave 2 to 3 leaves at the tip and remove all the other leaves. If the leaves are large, cut them in half.
- Fill a glass with water and place the cut end in the glass for a few hours.
- Place a potting net and pumice stone at the bottom of the pot.
- Fill the pot with soil for cuttings.
- Make a hole in the soil with your finger or a splittable chopstick, and insert the cutting into the hole.
- Give the cutting plenty of water.
Keep the cuttings in the shade to prevent the soil from drying out, and they will grow roots in about 4 to 6 weeks. Once the roots have grown, repot the new plant into a larger pot.
Propagating your Umbrella plant from cuttings is a great way to expand your plant collection and share your love for plants with others.
Reviving Your Umbrella plant with Stem Pruning
Stem pruning is a simple and effective way to grow new Umbrella plants. Here’s how you can do it:
- Cut off stems with no leaves attached at an angle.
- Cut the stems to 1 to 2 inches horizontally on moistened soil.
- Be sure to keep the soil moist and avoid letting it dry out for about two months.
Over time, the stems will germinate from the part in contact with the soil and eventually sprout new shoots.
Stem pruning is a great way to revive your Umbrella plant and create new plants from healthy stems. You can enjoy a thriving plant collection in no time with patience and care.
Ensure a Suitable Growing Environment to Prevent Umbrella Plant Death
- Umbrella plants need plenty of sunlight to thrive, but they can get leaf burn if exposed to direct sunlight. Place them in a location that receives as much sun as possible, but avoid direct sunlight during the summer when the sun is strong.
- Watering an Umbrella plant can be tricky. Water it when the soil on top becomes dry and white, but be sure to water it correctly by giving it plenty of water until it drains from the pot’s bottom and draining excess water from the saucer underneath the pot.
- Avoid exposing your Umbrella plant to cold temperatures or direct air conditioning wind, and mist the leaves regularly to keep the air around it moist.
- To prevent common diseases and pests that can harm your Umbrella plant, watch for signs of bacterial spots, anthracnose, spider mites, scale insect, and aphids, and take action as soon as you spot them.
- If your Umbrella plant is dying, don’t give up just yet. You can try to revive it by trimming off dead leaves and stems and propagating new plants from cuttings.