Seeing a dying corn plant doesn’t look good. The leaves will turn yellow and brown. The ears of corn will wither away to nothing, leaving behind just the dried husk, if it even gets that far before dying completely.
If this is happening to your plants, you’re probably wondering what you can do about it in the world. There are some things you might be able to do in order to save a dying corn plant. So let’s take a look at how to save a dying corn plant.
What’s a Corn Plant?
A corn plant is a succulent, perennial, warm-season grass that can grow up to 12 feet tall. It has long leaves with short furrows and large ears of corn at the top of each stalk.
You can identify it by its height, large ears of corn at the top, and long leaves that grow in rows or patches. It’s a very distinctive plant.
Why Corn Plants Die?
Here are some common causes of a corn plant dying. If you have any or all of them, then it’s time to consider saving a dying corn plant:
- Lack of water.
- Too much heat.
- Sun scorch.
- Disease or pest infestation.
- Improper or poor drainage.
- The soil doesn’t drain well, and there isn’t enough oxygen for the roots.
All of these can cause a corn plant to die. As you can see, it’s important to learn to Save plant and make sure that you water your plants regularly and keep them away from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
Corn Plant Care Tips: How to Save a Dying Corn Plant?
There are precautions and actions that we can take to learn to save a corn plant. Here are some tips that will help:
1. Water Your Plants Regularly
Water your corn plants regularly to keep them hydrated and healthy. Unless we’ve been living in a desert, most of us have the opposite problem, so water is super important for a corn plant.
2. Protect Your Corn Plants from Sun Scorch
Corn plants are susceptible to damage caused by too much heat. They won’t drop dead immediately, but they will slowly start to wilt and die.
They have a temperature threshold before they are damaged and killed, so if you keep them cooler, your chances of saving them will increase.
3. Control the Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases are commonplace when it comes to houseplants, so you must keep an eye out for them if your corn plant is dying.
Pests like mealybugs will suck the sap dry from your stems while fungus gnats spread root rot by laying their eggs in the soil.
4. Cut off Damaged or Dead Leaves and Stems
You can cut off damaged or dead leaves and stems, so the plant doesn’t have to expend any energy on them. If you do this, make sure that you don’t damage your plant further by cutting it into living parts.
5. Repot Your Corn Plants Now and Then
Repotting is very important for keeping your plants healthy, and it’s essential for keeping your corn plants alive. A dying corn plant will need repotting if the roots are rotting or suffocating, so this is a step that you don’t want to miss if you’re looking to save a corn plant.
6. Remove All the Soil and Replace It
This is the most effective way to kill off fungi, bacteria, insects, or any other pests that might be affecting your corn plants. If they are already in the soil when you repot, this will eliminate them.
Just make sure you have some fresh dirt on hand if you go with this option to save a dying corn plant.
7. Don’t Overwater Your Plants
As mentioned before, most of us have the opposite problem, and our plants are over-watered. So make sure that you only water them when they need it; otherwise, you’ll find yourself with an unfortunate-looking corn plant on your hands.
These are some easy-to-implement tips to save a corn plant. If you care for your plants properly and give them the attention they need, then hopefully, you won’t have to deal with this problem for very long.
8. Give Your Plants Room to Grow
It would help if you tried to give your plants room to grow because overcrowding can cause several problems for your corn plant. They need space since they are pretty significant, and they will start to wilt if they don’t have enough air circulation around them.
What Should You Do If You See a Dying Corn Plant at First Place?
If you notice that there are some dying leaves on your corn plant, you should look for the most common problems responsible for this. Here are some of the most common reasons for dying corn plants:
The Soil Is Waterlogged
As mentioned above, most of us have the opposite problem, and our plants are too dry. So make sure that you only water them when they need it.
Otherwise, you’ll find yourself with a very sad-looking corn plant on your hands. If the soil is waterlogged, then the roots will start to rot, and this will cause the plant to start dying as well.
The Temperature Is Too High
Corn plants are susceptible to damage caused by too much heat. They won’t drop dead immediately, but they will slowly start to wilt and die.
Plants have a temperature tolerance before they are damaged or killed, so if you keep them more relaxed, you’re better off.
The Light Is Too Bright
Plants like to be in the sun, but they don’t like direct sunlight all of the time. If you notice that your plant is wilting excessively, it might need more shade.
But make sure you keep checking on it because it will start to wilt if you keep it in the shade for too long. If the corn plant dies, you will face the opposite problem, how to save it!
The Plant Is Too Young
Younger plants are especially vulnerable because they haven’t had time to become strong and sturdy yet. This may be a problem when you are trying to identify the causes.
Older corn plants are more resilient because they have stood the test of time, so it might be good to wait before you perform drastic measures to save your plant.
These are just some of the problems that can cause a dying corn plant. If you notice these signs, you should try to help your plant out in one way or another.
What Mistakes Do People Make When They See a Dying Corn Plant?
If you care for your plants properly and give them the attention they need, then hopefully, you won’t have to deal with this problem for very long. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when they see their plant is showing signs of dying:
They Stop Watering It
If you notice that your plant is starting to wilt, then it means that it doesn’t have enough water, but instead of watering it correctly, they stop altogether. If you want to save a dying corn plant, then this is not what you should do!
They Keep Over-Watering Their Plants
The opposite problem people face most of the time is that their plants are too dry. Instead of watering them properly, they end up over-watering their plants, which can cause a lot of damage.
Corn plants don’t like to be in the water for too long, and you should let them dry out before you give them more water again.
They Don’t Give It Enough Air Circulation
Corn plants need a lot of space to grow and flourish, so if they’re too close to other corn plants or other objects, then they might start dying.
Make sure that you give your plant room to breathe and grow because this will ensure that you have a healthy and resilient corn plant growing in your garden.
They Don’t Identify the Problem in Time
If you notice your plant is dying, you should quickly identify the reason behind it. If you don’t, then it could be too late to save your corn plant because, by this point, there isn’t much that can prevent it from fully wilting and dying. Make sure that you identify the problem right away, don’t just ignore it.
They Don’t Give It Attention
The more you care for your plant, the better. If you keep pampering it and looking out for signs of wilting or damage, then you’ll be able to save it before it gets too bad. Sometimes all your corn plant needs a good look around, and some love to pick themselves up again.
Final thoughts
Dying corn plants can often be saved if you catch the problem in time and take corrective action. By the tips in this article, you’ll be able to diagnose what’s wrong with your plant and save it before it’s too late.
Remember to water and care for your plants properly, give them plenty of space to grow, and keep a close eye on their health so that you can intervene when necessary. With a little bit of care, your corn plant will be back up healthy and thriving in no time!
