TikTok's 10 Best Tips & Tricks For Saving Your Dying Plants

The obsession surrounding plant collecting really sneaks up on you. You might have gotten your first pothos from the clearance rack of a big box store, or you got a stromanthe for your birthday. It started innocently enough, but before you know it, you have a green paradise in your home, and you're not really sure how it happened. Regardless of how you got here, we're glad to see you're using plants to spruce up your space. However, at one point or another, the honeymoon period ends, and you start to realize that your lush indoor garden is beginning to get a little less lush. 

Maybe some plants now have yellow, droopy leaves or brown crunchy tips ... and do you smell something weird coming out of the pot? Ugh. Plant parenthood can feel like a full-time job, especially when you think your plant is sick or on the brink of death. But don't toss it in the trash just yet because other plant lovers are here to help. TikTok is filled with plant experts and amateur gardeners alike who constantly share ingenious ways to bring your houseplant back from the dead. From stopping root rot in its tracks to reviving seemingly scorched flowers, there is a solution for nearly everything. At the very least, these remedies are worth a shot before tossing your plant out. Here are some of the best ones to utilize.

This TikToker showed how she was able to rescue a monstera adansonii from the clearance aisle with the help of hydrogen peroxide. When she brought it home, she removed the dying leaves and stems and then checked the roots to see if they smelled "like booty." Once she smelled the damp, musky smell of root rot, she went into recovery mode by creating a mixture of 1:4 hydrogen peroxide and water. After removing any decaying roots, she sprayed the mixture onto the remaining ones and repotted the plant in fresh soil.

So, what makes hydrogen peroxide effective at removing root rot? The disease is typically caused by fungal pathogens that thrive in soil that's been kept overly wet. The fungus attacks the roots, causing them to decay and give off that earthy, rotting smell. Hydrogen peroxide is employed to slow down root rot because it kills the pathogens and fungus that are creating the rot. A few studies found that it works as an effective fungicide, killing off fungi like R. solani, Pythium sp. and F. solani, all of which can contribute to root rot. However, it's worth noting that research is slim on its effectiveness across multiple types of plants; we were only able to find a study in the Journal of Phytopathology and Disease Management that tested its usefulness in combating rot in thyme. It also depends on how far gone your plant already is. This should be used in conjunction with other measures, such as treating the plant for pests, replanting it in clean soil, and cutting back on watering until the roots dry and reestablish. If the rot was caught in time, your plant should bounce back in a few weeks.

No one likes to imagine the worst-case scenario where their plant is beyond saving. But this TikToker gives us a great tip for tough times: Take a cutting so that the plant can go on. While it may not be the entire plant you've come to love, your cutting will grow nearly identical to the parent plant. This is especially helpful for rare or variegated houseplants that might've set you back a few hundred bucks.

To propagate a plant via cutting, you'll need sharp scissors, isopropyl alcohol, and a growing medium. This can either be distilled water in a jar or a small plant pot with fresh soil. Water propagation works well for some houseplants and is easier to monitor since you can see the roots, making it great for beginners. However, soil propagation is closer to the plant's natural growing methods, so the cutting may have a higher success rate of surviving, but it's harder to monitor. Whichever method you choose, sterilize your sheers or scissors before making a cut to ensure no bacteria is introduced to the plant. The best cuttings are ones that have at least one node and leaf, but take whatever you can get. Once you've got your cutting, leave it out overnight so that the wound can scab over. You can then add a rooting hormone if you want and put it in your propagation medium, then keep an eye for new growth. If all goes well, your cutting should develop roots within two to three weeks.

Houseplants can become havens for pests, which will happily wreak havoc on your foliage collection. This TikToker shows one ingenious way to get rid of bugs on indoor plants, and that is to use garlic water. She chops up 1 clove of garlic and steeps it in 1 liter of hot water for a full day. Once the 24 hours are up, strain the garlic pieces out and either water or spray your plants with the mixture.

So why garlic? Well, it turns out that it's often used as a pesticide. Researchers found that garlic has several sulfur compounds, which kill bacteria, slow down fungus, and can deter bugs, letting your houseplants thrive in peace. In fact, garlic is often listed as the main ingredient in many commercial insecticides, so the homeopathic treatment is worth a shot. However, there are a few tweaks we recommend to this method. First, use distilled water or rainwater instead of tap so that you don't introduce chlorine to the plant, which can affect its ability to thrive over time. Also, change out the spray occasionally so that you're using fresh water that has more oxygen in it, which is helpful for plant growth.

Do you have a plant that's starting to look a little sad? As this TikTok shows, one problem could be that it is in a pot that's too small for its root ball, causing it to suffocate due to the lack of nutrients. Once the root system becomes too big for its pot, it's known as being "root-bound" or "pot-bound." Signs that your plant is pot-bound include suddenly dropping leaves, limp leaves, or a lack of new growth over the past few months. 

To easily repot a plant that's outgrown its container, simply remove the plant from its pot. Inspect the roots and use sharp, sterilized sheers or scissors to cut off any stems that look dead or rotting. Then, use your fingers to gently loosen the root ball and repot it into a larger container with adequate drainage holes. As for how to choose a larger container, you want its diameter to be 1 to 2 inches than the original pot. You want to avoid selecting something larger because it's a recipe for root rot. A larger pot will hold more soil, which will require more water. However, there won't be enough roots to soak in all that water, causing it to sit in the pot and eventually lead to rot. 

Sometimes a plant's downfall is caused by being loved a little too much. Overwatering can be a common problem that drowns houseplants, especially ones that prefer to be a little neglected, like sansevierias or succulents. If you have an overwatered plant you are trying to bring back from the brink of death, switch from top to bottom watering to control its H20 intake. To do so, put it in a sink, tray, or bin filled with water and place your planter into it. The roots will absorb how much water they need and stop when they're satisfied. 

This TikToker is showing a method of watering known as "sub-irrigation." Sub-irrigation works by watering the plant from the bottom, which allows the roots (and not you) to determine how much water the plant needs. This prevents water from sitting on top of the soil, which reduces the risk of root rot or attracting pests like fungus gnats. However, keep an eye on your plant's health while doing this, as this method may lead to an overload of salt in the soil. To combat this, top water the plant from time to time to flush out the salts. If you decide to give sub-irrigation a try, you can semi-automate this by purchasing plant pots that contain reservoirs with wicks that let the plant soak up as much water as it needs. 

Sometimes, the pot is the thing causing our downfall. While plants are many people's hobbies, they're also used as easy decor. This means that we sometimes choose planters based on aesthetics rather than functionality. If the pot is stylish but doesn't have drainage holes, it can lead to a fast case of root rot. This TikToker found that out the hard way after performing triage on his money tree. He found that the main problem was a bad pot. After giving the plant a little TLC and switching to a container with drainage holes, the plant made a full recovery in only two months.

So why does drainage matter so much, and why do they even sell pots without drainage holes? Well, drainage holes do a few things. First, they help aerate the roots, which keeps the plant healthy and prevents suffocation. Second, they prevent the soil in your container from becoming waterlogged, and as you know, moist soil is a breeding ground for disease, root rot, and fungus gnats. As for why they make pots without drainage holes, there is one clear reason. Many of these pots contain an inner plastic pot with drainage, allowing excess water to drip to the bottom. So they're not meant to be directly planted into. However, if you don't want to see a plastic planter poking out from your aesthetic one, you can easily add drainage holes to a plant pot yourself.

Do you have a plant that looks like it's ready for the trash can? If it got to that state because it was underwatered or scorched by the sun, you might be able to revive it with a pair of scissors. As this TikTok shows, if you get hardcore with your cutting shears and remove every yellow or brown bit from the plant, it might be able to regrow. Don't be afraid to cut it down to the dirt if you have to — this will encourage new stems and leaves to bloom.

Yellow or brown tips on the leaves can mean a lot of things, but none of them are good. Typically, they're a sign of overwatering, underwatering, fungal infections, or disease. By cutting away any crispy or wilted bits, your plant no longer has to divert energy trying to heal those leaves or stems.  Instead, it will focus on creating new growth, which will result in new stalks and leaves. However, make sure that your cutting shears are sterilized to prevent bacteria from entering the wound. You can use 70% isopropyl alcohol on a clean cloth to wipe down the blades.

Did you know that popular houseplants like calatheas, philodendrons, and monsteras are native to tropical rainforests? Consequently, these plants love it when it's nice and humid. Unfortunately, that can be hard to mimic inside your living space. So what can you do if you've got a houseplant that's drying up like Spongebob at Sandy's house because your home is too dry for its liking? TikTok recommends putting it in a plastic bag.

Yes, plants can thrive in sealed plastic bags. Think of it as a mini greenhouse for a single plant. Since the bag is completely sealed, the moisture in the soil won't be able to evaporate and will just recirculate, raising the humidity inside. You might even see some condensation on the bag over time; this is a good sign. If you have a larger plant and a sandwich bag won't cut it, consider getting a plastic storage bag, such as the Spartan Industrial self-seal bags on Amazon. While it's not required, you can open the bag once in a while to let some fresh air in; just make sure to seal it completely when you're done. 

Do you have some fish fertilizer on hand from gardening? If so, then you've got a potential secret weapon for reviving crispy houseplants. This TikToker showed she was able to bring her petunias back from the dead simply by incorporating fish fertilizer into her water routine. She diluted about 4 tablespoons of fertilizer into 2 gallons of water, watering her flowers once every other week. The results speak for themselves!

So why fish fertilizer (and what exactly is it)? It's not the fertilizer you'd use for aquatic plants but is a byproduct of fish meal and fish oil. Its ability to bring your plants back to life could be because it's full of nutrients that plants love: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It also offers food for the microorganisms in the soil, helping them flourish. They are an important part of plant health because they help break down organic matter to release more nutrients into the soil, allowing the plant to flourish better not just in the short-term but also in the long-term. While it may be effective, one big drawback is that it has a seriously distinct fishy smell, which is probably not one you'd like to have in your home. If you decide to give this a try, you might want to save it for your outdoor plants or move your fish-fertilized plants outside for a few days while the smell dissipates. 

If you've switched your water routine, gagged yourself with smelly fish fertilizer, chopped your plant up to bits, and still nothing has worked, there's one more trick to try. This TikTok user shows how they were able to revive a sad little kalanchoe by simply switching out its soil to a blend that's full of biochar. The result? A happy yellow kalanchoe.

So, what's biochar? It's a soil additive that's a mix of biomass (AKA dead plants, wood chips, manure) and charcoal. It's fairly cheap, and you can pick it up at most big box stores. For instance, you can get it for $9 at Lowe's. It's typically used for crops and trees, but some studies have found it could be an effective replacement for perlite and peat moss in container gardening. But why would you want to use it instead of these? Biochar can reduce heavy metals in soil and reduce nutrient leaching, basically doing double duty as a soil cleaner and nutrient sponge. Both things that a sick houseplant needs to restore its health. If you want to give it a shot, mix a few tablespoons of biochar into your potting soil, then add your houseplant. Keep your water routine steady (remember, keep away from tap water), and you should see some improvement within a few weeks.