Houseplant care: Addressing overwatering and light deficiency

Common issues affecting houseplants include overwatering and insufficient light, which lead to plant failure and leggy growth. Overwatering is cited by approximately 60 percent of plant owners as a primary cause of death for indoor plants. This occurs when soil remains constantly wet, filling air pockets and depriving roots of necessary oxygen, which can lead to tissue damage and death through anaerobic metabolism.

Additionally, plants often become ‘leggy’—characterized by long stems and large gaps between leaves—when they lack adequate light and stretch toward a source. Experts suggest that leggy growth can be corrected by improving light exposure and pruning the plants. Cuttings from pruned sections can also be used to propagate new plants.