The happiness and satisfaction to see a corn plant blooming cannot be described in words. This plant is adaptable and tough and can survive in most conditions without much care and maintenance needs. But if you ever see the plant’s leaves become yellow, brown, or wilting, then you must feel disappointed. To save a dying plant, you must know how to save a dying corn plant and implement the tips and tricks to keep the plant blooming.
The common reasons for a dying corn plant are brown or yellow leaves, sunburn, lack of nutrients, potting, and repotting. The plant blooms once, so the lush green foliage is its biggest attraction all around the year. When a person grows a corn plant, they expect the green foliage to decorate their living space.
Reasons why a corn plant may be dying
Before we move to the tips on how to save a dying corn plant, it is important to know the reasons why a corn plant may be dying. Let’s discuss a few of the common reasons:
● Yellow leaves: The possible reasons for these are under-watering or overwatering when you don’t let the soil dry out between watering.
● Sunburn: Identified by brown spots with yellow outer rims.
● Brown leaves: Humidity issues, lack of water in the soil, or too much sunlight can make the leaves of corn plant brown.
● Lack of nutrients: Apply the right amount of nutrients as too much and too little can both be damaging.
● Potting and soil: Plant the corn plants in pots with drainage holes.
A Complete Guide On How To Save A Dying Corn Plant
It is sad to see if your corn plant is dying and to see leaves becoming droopy, yellow, and falling off. Let us tell you how to save a dying corn plant.
If you see a droopy corn plant, but still the stem is green, then by giving it some breathing space, it will come back to life.
● Give it proper water and light
Corn plants grow well in light, but too much light can damage the plant. The best places to grow a corn plant are where it gets a lot of natural sunlight daily, such as directly into a window, having no curtains or shade, or on your windowsill. If you cannot provide the plant with enough natural sunlight, then use an artificial plant lamp.
If the plant gets too little sunlight, then it can damage its development as the leaves start losing their color variegation and growth slows down. If, after providing the plant with the right amount of sunlight, the plant stills appear droopy, then the plant needs more water. If the reasons for the droopiness of the corn plant are under watering, then once you water the plant, it plumps up and the droopy leaves revive their original feel.
● Remove the dying parts
Use a sharp knife or gardening shears to cut off the dying parts of the corn plant. Carefully cut the dying parts, not to leave any leaves trapped in between, and cut close to the stem. Don’t worry if you cut the plant’s damaged parts too often, as sometimes pruning will prove beneficial for the plant to recover.
There is more:
● Repot the plant
When you see your plant doing better and growing for almost a week or two, then you should consider replanting it outside, if the weather is suitable for the plant, or in another pot.
If you have a suitable temperature outside, then make the soil moist before placing the corn plant in the soil. Remember to water the plant regularly and give the corn plant a lot of care even after they recover.
Keep in mind not to immerse the roots in water as it can rot them. So, always use a pot having drainage holes to grow corn plants.
Corn plants grow well in loamy potting soil having a loose texture, providing the necessary conditions for airflow and drainage.
Don’t forget to focus on the soil.
● Fertilize the soil
Corn plants are generally considered hardy and you can revive them by giving them the right conditions. Use corn plant food if you are struggling with how to save a dying corn plant and you want to make it easier for the plant.
● Suitable temperature and humidity
Corn plants grow best in places with moderately high humidity and temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. To increase the humidity of where you are growing a corn plant, use a humidifier or other sources of humidity. Excess amounts of heat can dry out the leaves, so never place a corn plant near fireplaces or heaters.
● Provide support for the stem
If you see that the corn plant is drooping because the stalk cannot support itself, the stem may be too weak and not able to hold the weight of the leaves. If your corn plant is not steady, then provide support for its stalk. You can do this by putting some sticks or toothpicks in the pot to keep the stem in an upright position. If the plant is not too old, then it is good to cut off the droopy leaves and let the plant flower within the season.
Few More Steps:
● Prune and trim the plant
Pruning is not always essential for growing a healthy corn plant, but trimming it ensures faster growth of the plant. When you see the shoots grow to about 6 inches high, cut them off to grow bigger leaves. If you grow more shoots on the corn plant, then they will grow more leaves.
● Prune the flowers
If you see flower buds on the corn plant’s stalk, then you can either let them grow or pinch them off. The lovely flowers would make you happy that the plant is growing healthily. But if you want the plant to focus its energies on growing shoots and leaves rather than reproduction, then cut off the flowers before they bloom.
● Get rid of pests
If you see your corn plant dying, then a possible reason can be aphid or insect infestation. The tip on how to save a dying corn plant in this case would be to get rid of the tiny creatures destroying your plant. To identify what aphids are, they are tiny black or green insects that make colonies on the undersurface of some parts of the corn plant’s leaves. These insects suck the sap out of the plant and yellow spots can form on the plant’s leaves. Use an organic insecticide to get rid of aphids the moment you spot them.
Another common houseplant is Calibrachoa, check out: why is my calibrachoa dying?
How to know if my corn plant is overwatered?
Usually, as the leaves of corn plants become old, they normally become yellow. But when you see a lot of yellow leaves, and then it may be a symptom of overwatering. Brown tips and a lot of yellow leaves may mean that the plant is suffering from frequent or too much watering.
Is it possible for the corn plant to regrow its leaves?
To make the plant grow back just fine, cut off the top 6-10 inches of the plant. If you see any dead or dying leaves, then remove them. The growth below gradual yellows and falls off as the plant grows on the top.
How to recognize a dying corn plant?
If you want to know how to save a dying corn plant, then it is important to recognize dying corn plant. An early symptom of a dying corn plant is the leaves turning orange-yellow, which results from root death due to saturated or ponded conditions. When saturation occurs, the discoloration begins the next day.
How long does a corn plant usually live?
The normal lifespan of each leaf of the corn plant is 2-3 years. The lower leaves of the plant may become yellow, but it is normal. If you provide proper care to the plant, then the plant can live much longer than 2-3 years.
How much watering does a corn plant need?
The watering needs of a corn plant are moderate. Water the plant thoroughly after every 7-10 days or when you check and find out that the top 1 inch of soil is dry to the touch.
Why do I see the dying leaves of my corn plant?
Inconsistent watering is the most likely reason for the leaves of corn plants dying. In case the plant is watered less, then the soil dries out and the tips of the leaves turn brown. Overwatering is most common during the winter when the plant needs lesser water as growth slows down. If you want to know how to save a dying corn plant, then make a proper watering schedule for your plant.
Is it good to cut off the brown tips of my corn plant?
If you see brown tips on the leaves of the corn plants, then it is good to remove them safely. Never cut into the healthy tissue, just cut off most of the brown tip, while leaving a thin strip of brown. In case you cut into the healthy tissue, then the brown will most likely come again.
Does an overwatered corn plant heal itself?
No one can say for a guarantee that a corn plant will recover itself. If you see results within a week or so, then your plant is going to survive. In this case, resume the watering schedule and move your plant back to its original place.
Last Remarks
Although the pretty corn plants are easy to grow and easy to care for, they need your attention. Check the soil from time to time to avoid overwatering or underwatering the corn plant. Never leave any bugs or pests on the plant, but use insecticidal soap spray to get rid of them. Give your plant a proper amount of sunlight and nutrients to keep it happy. Now you know how to save a dying corn plant. So, you will be able to have a lush, green corn plant.
