To revive the plant, you can soak it in water and then adopt a predictable watering schedule that uses the same amount of water each time. Remove dead leaves: Improper care may cause most leaves on the plant to die, and it's usually best to remove leaves that have become entirely brown.
Pour water into the plant's pot until it runs freely from the drainage holes in the bottom. After that, hose or spray down all remaining stems and foliage. Plants intake water through their leaves as well as their roots. Let soggy soil dry out.
If a plant is overwatered, the roots will rot and “watering it regularly” only makes things worse. Many times rotted roots allow a pathogen into the plant and it's a goner. What to do: Remove any obviously rotted roots and replace soil that has turned to mud. Allow the soil to dry until it is slightly damp to bone dry.
Can We Use Sugar Water For Dying Plants? Although it is not considered a fertilizer, you can use sugar if your plants aren't doing so well. Sugar water in plants can help the microorganisms in the soil break down all the nutrients. It is vastly not recommended, though, to use just the sugar as plant food to save them.
“I would say overwatering is one of the biggest reasons for houseplant deaths. People tend to 'overcare' for their plants and over water. Overwatering can 'drown' your plants and lead to root rot. I would definitely under water than risk overwatering a plant.”
Initially, just moisten the soil. Thereafter, water well once every week during the growing season then allow the plant to rest and breathe before watering again. If they're not too far gone, you may be able to rehydrate container plants. Plants stressed from drought should be fertilized carefully.
Hopefully, it will begin to show signs of life within a few hours but rehydrating an overly dry container plant may take up to a month. If you aren't sure if the plant is worth saving, remove the plant gently from the pot and check the roots.
It's often possible to revive a dying houseplant. Remember to read the plant's tag to be sure you're giving the plant the right balance of water, light and humidity. Look for signs of pests or diseases and treat for them as soon as you see them, before the infestation gets out of control.
Dry Leaves
Shriveled or crispy leaves could have several causes. However, if most of the leaves look dry or shriveled, your plant is probably dying. Although, if you only notice the only the lower leaves are dry, you can save your plant. Add some fertilizer to your plant's pot and give it some extra nutrients.
Just because a plant's leaves are dried out and papery doesn't mean it's beyond saving. Check the stems and roots for signs of life. They should be pliable and firm, and the stems should be greenish on the inside. If the stems and roots are mushy and brittle, the plant is likely dead and can't be saved.
A wilted plant can recover in a few weeks with the right care and attention to address the root cause of wilting. It is worth noting, however, that not every wilted plant has the stored energy to make a full recovery, and some plants can take months to look as they did originally.
That's not the case when bottom watering. All you need to do is set the potted plant (be sure it has drainage holes) into the bathtub, sink, or another container that's filled with a couple inches of water. After 15 to 20 minutes, the plant will have absorbed the exact amount it needs—never too little or too much.
Look out for signs of overwatering – including a limp plant, yellowing leaves, or dropping leaves. If you see these signs, test the soil with your fingers. It should be pretty obvious if it's soggy! Stop watering and let the soil dry out.
Put the plant into a sink or bucket of water so that the pot is submerged. Leave for half an hour, then set somewhere to drain for half an hour. Keep out of strong sunlight, and lightly watered, until there are signs of new growth.
Lift your pots to determine their weight
If the plant is dry it will be lighter than usual, as water adds to its weight. This is a really quick method and is recommended if you have lots of potted plants! For larger pots, try to tilt them to gauge their weight. You'll get better at this technique the more you try it.
Scratch a little off the surface of a mature stem, and if it's green inside, it's still alive. You can also snap a twig or stem, and if it's dry and snaps easily, the plant is dead. If it's flexible and hard to break, it's a good bet that your plant is alive, but is taking a winter snooze.
The good news is that most plants will bounce back between 7-14 days if they're given proper care (which includes rehydration). If this isn't possible because major damage was done or little healthy root system exists then expect about 2 weeks until improvement can be seen.
The recovery time depends on the severity of the overwatering, but it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for a plant to recover.