4 Plants Even Influencers Struggle to Keep Alive

Even the greenest thumb can struggle with certain houseplants. Some popular indoor plants have gained a reputation for being difficult to keep alive, confounding even dedicated plant influencers. Here are 4 plants that frequently frustrate homeowners and plant enthusiasts alike:

Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

With its large, vibrant green leaves in the iconic fiddle shape, it’s no wonder the Ficus lyrata (fiddle leaf fig tree) is a coveted houseplant. Its tropical origins make it a challenge in the typical indoor environment, however.

Why It’s Difficult

Picky about sunlight – The fiddle leaf fig needs ample bright, indirect light to thrive. Too little light leads to leaf drop, but direct sun can scorch its leaves. Finding the right amount of sunlight can be tricky.
Sensitive to drafts – This tropical plant hates any cold drafts from windows, doors or air vents. Drafts and temperature fluctuations can cause leaf drop.
Susceptible to root rot – Overwatering is a common mistake as it leads to root rot. Water only when the top several inches of soil are dry.
Requires pruning – Pruning helps maintain the fiddle leaf fig’s signature shape. But knowing where and how much to prune can be confusing for plant parents.

Tips for Success

Provide bright, filtered light near a North or East facing window. Rotate the plant periodically for even light exposure.
Maintain steady temperatures above 60°F. Avoid cold drafts and excessive heat.
Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Water less in winter when growth is slower.
Dust the leaves regularly and provide humidity through pebble trays or a humidifier.
Prune only the minimum necessary to shape the plant and remove dead/dying branches. Never remove more than 20% of leaves at once.
Use well-draining potting mix and a pot with drainage holes. Repot every 2-3 years in spring.

Calathea

The eye-catching Calathea features vividly patterned leaves in an incredible variety of colors and shapes. With over 300 species, it seems there is a Calathea for every home. However, Calatheas are known as “drama queens” for how demanding their care can be.

Why It’s Difficult

Sensitive to minerals in tap water – The minerals and salts in tap water will cause ugly brown leaf edges. Only distilled or rainwater should be used.
Picky about humidity – Calatheas need very high humidity around 60% or more. In dry indoor air, the leaf tips and margins can turn brown.
Fussy about temperature – Cool or drafty conditions can cause leaf damage. They thrive best in warm indoor temperatures between 65-80°F.
Prone to pests – Spider mites love to munch on Calathea leaves. Be vigilant for any webbing and treat pests immediately.

Tips for Success

Use distilled or rainwater only for watering. Even bottled water may contain minerals.
Place on a pebble tray with water, or use a humidifier to maintain humidity above 60%.
Avoid cold drafts and keep indoor temperatures consistently warm.
Remove any damaged leaves promptly to keep the plant looking its best.
Check new plants closely for pests and quarantine from other plants. Treat any infestations immediately.
Turn the leaves regularly so all sides get adequate light for even growth.

Ferns

Ferns can lend any indoor space a tropical, lush feel. But their delicate nature makes them prone to problems in the typical home environment. Even experienced plant parents find ferns challenging at times.

Why It’s Difficult

Needs high humidity – Ferns naturally thrive in steamy rainforests, so they require high humidity around 60-70%. Lower humidity causes leaf browning and decline.
Dislikes dry soil – Ferns should be kept moist but not soggy. Allowing the soil to dry out completely can be fatal.
Sensitive to tap water – Like many tropical plants, ferns are sensitive to minerals and salts in tap water which can damage their foliage.
Vulnerable to drafts – Cold air from drafty windows and vents can shock ferns. Keep them away from any draft sources.
Requires light shade – Too much direct sun will scorch a fern’s shady leaves. But too little light prevents sufficient growth.

Tips for Success

Mist ferns frequently, use a pebble tray, or invest in a humidifier to recreate the steamy conditions ferns love.
Check soil daily and water before it dries out completely. Take care not to overwater.
Use distilled or rainwater rather than tap water if possible.
Place in bright, indirect light such as near a north or east facing window.
Rotate the fern periodically to ensure all sides get sufficient light exposure for even growth.
Avoid repotting unnecessarily to limit any root disturbance that could set the plant back.

Orchids

With their beautiful, delicate blooms, it’s easy to see why orchids are one of the most popular houseplants. But keeping them alive and continuously re-blooming often proves difficult. Don’t be discouraged if your orchid doesn’t live up to expectations – even plant experts struggle with these exotic beauties.

Why It’s Difficult

Requires particular temperature range – Orchids thrive in warm but not hot temperatures between 65-85°F during the day and 55-60°F at night. Temperatures outside this range can prevent flowering.
Needs high humidity – With tropical origins, orchids prefer humidity levels around 60% or more. In dry indoor air, they struggle to thrive.
Sensitive to overwatering – Orchids should dry out slightly between waterings. Too much moisture leads to root rot. But allowing them to dry out too much causes decline. It’s a delicate balance.
Encourages pests – Orchids are prone to pests like spider mites that can damage their foliage and delicate blooms. Be vigilant about checking for pests.
Specific repotting needs – Orchids have particular repotting requirements. Repotting at the wrong time or incorrectly can set the plant back.

Tips for Success

Provide daytime temperatures between 65-85°F and slightly cooler at night around 55-60°F.
Use a humidifier and pebble trays to increase humidity around the orchid to 60% or more.
Water thoroughly then allow to dry slightly before watering again. Enclose clay pots can help regulate moisture.
Avoid moisture on blooms to limit fungal disease. Provide good air circulation.
Repot every 1-2 years in specialized orchid potting mix in spring after blooming finishes.
Fertilize weakly and more frequently while actively growing. Reduce feeding during winter rest.
Check for pests like spider mites frequently, especially with new plants. Isolate and treat any infestations promptly.

Common Challenges with Difficult Plants

While each finicky plant has its own specific demands, there are some common challenges that contribute to their reputation as difficult to keep alive.

Getting Lighting Conditions Right

One of the trickiest aspects of growing plants indoors is providing the right amount and type of light each variety needs. Most challenging houseplants like Calathea and ferns need bright but indirect light. Direct sun will scorch their delicate leaves, but too little light prevents active growth.

The direction and quality of light from different windows also varies. Bright southern exposures offer intense direct light. Eastern or western windows provide gentler morning/afternoon light. Northern exposures offer very diffuse, low light throughout the day. Pay attention to how the light differs throughout your home so you can provide each plant with its preferred lighting conditions.

Maintaining Ideal Temperatures

Plants from tropical origins like orchids and ferns are very sensitive to temperatures outside their preferred range. They suffer if exposed to cold drafts from windows and vents or excessive heat near heaters and fireplaces. Maintaining ideal growing temperatures typically between 60-80°F depending on the plant can be difficult in the temperature-fluctuating indoor environment.

Portable space heaters or AC units, and grow lights can help supplement heating/cooling and light. Avoid placing plants in drafty areas or directly next to heat/AC vents where temperatures vary drastically. Group plants according to their temperature preferences.

Providing Adequate Humidity

Many common challenging houseplants like orchids and calatheas naturally grow in humid tropical environments, so they require higher humidity levels around 60% and above to thrive indoors. Our heated homes in winter typically have much lower humidity which causes leaf browning, wilting, and decline.

Boosting humidity can make finicky plants much happier. Use a humidifier near your plants, place them on pebble trays filled with water, or group plants together to create a mini greenhouse effect. Misting plants also helps increase local humidity temporarily but isn’t a complete solution on its own.

Avoiding Tap Water Damage

The minerals and salts commonly found in tap water can accumulate on the foliage and tips of sensitive plants like calatheas, causing unsightly damage. Where possible, use distilled, rain or filtered water to prevent those annoying brown leaf edges. If tap water must be used, allowing it to sit out for at least 24 hours before using can help remove some of the harmful minerals and chlorine.

Preventing and Checking for Pests

Pests like spider mites can take hold rapidly and are common with orchids and calatheas. Check new plants extremely carefully for signs of bugs before bringing indoors. Isolate plants away from your existing collection for a few weeks to monitor for emerging pests.

Routinely inspect plants for tiny webs, specks moving on the leaves, and stippling damage. Catching infestations early makes treatment much easier. Remove any heavily infested leaves immediately to prevent spreading. Treat pests with insecticidal soap, neem oil or other organic sprays.

Providing Proper Humidity

Keep Trying with These Temperamental Beauties

Don’t become discouraged if you’ve struggled to keep any of these four commonly difficult houseplants alive. Their demanding growing preferences combined with imperfect indoor growing conditions stump even long time plant enthusiasts. With a little trial and error, you can learn how to provide the specific care and conditions each plant variety needs in your home.

The key is to carefully research their care, provide the right location, maintain ideal humidity and temperatures, water appropriately and limit any pests. Pay close attention to any signs of decline and adjust conditions to help the plant thrive. With time and experience, you’ll get better at recognizing what that fussy fern or orchid needs.

Some final tips for success:

Observe the plant’s conditions and growth in its current location over time rather than constantly moving it to new spots.
Make small gradual adjustments and wait a week or more to observe the results. Drastic changes can shock plants.
Use distilled or rainwater if possible for very sensitive tropical varieties.
Invest in a humidity monitor to better understand the actual humidity levels in your home.
Grow challenging plants in unglazed terra-cotta pots to help absorb excess moisture.
Quarantine new plants away from your existing collection until you can confirm they are pest and disease free. This prevents spread to other plants.
Remove dead or dying leaves promptly to maintain the plant’s appearance and prevent disease spread.
Join local plant swap groups or online communities to get recommendations and advice from other gardeners in your area.

Don’t get too frustrated with finicky plants! Their demanding nature is part of the appeal for some plant parents. Enjoy the learning process as you work to provide the perfect conditions for each plant to finally thrive. The reward of seeing a previously struggling orchid burst into bloom or a limp calathea perk up with vibrant new leaves makes it all worthwhile.

Frequently Asked Questions About Difficult Houseplants

What makes some houseplants so difficult to care for?

Many difficult houseplants like orchids, ferns and calatheas originate in tropical environments quite different from the typical indoor growing conditions. Factors like humidity, light levels, temperatures, air circulation and water quality tend to be suboptimal indoors making it challenging to meet their needs and keep them thriving.

How can I boost humidity for houseplants?

Use a cool mist humidifier near your plants, place pots on pebble trays filled with water, or group plants together to create a greenhouse effect. Misting also helps raise local humidity temporarily. Avoid methods that increase mold risk like terrariums.

What special equipment can help care for finicky plants?

A digital hygrometer to monitor humidity, grow lights to supplement natural light, heat mats or mini greenhouses to maintain optimal temperatures, and humidifiers are all beneficial for difficult plants with specific growing needs.

Why should I use distilled or rainwater for houseplants?

Tap water contains minerals, chemicals like chlorine, and salts that can build up in the soil or cause leaf burn on sensitive tropical plants. Distilled, rain or filtered water provides a pure, mineral-free solution better suited to delicate plants.

How can I prevent and treat pests on indoor plants?

Check plants closely, especially new arrivals, for any signs of pests like spider mites, mealybugs or aphids. Isolate infested plants immediately. Remove heavily infested leaves and treat with insecticidal soap, neem oil or other organic sprays targeting the specific pest. Discard heavily infested plants.

What are signs my houseplant is struggling?

Wilting, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips or edges, yellowing leaves, ringed leaf markings, premature leaf drop, poor flowering, stunted growth, webbing or pests on leaves are all signs your plant is stressed and needs care adjustments.

Why did my calathea leaves start turning brown?

Brown leaf edges on calatheas are typically caused by tap water, which contains salts and minerals that damage the foliage. Use only distilled or rainwater for calatheas and other sensitive tropical plants. Low humidity also causes browning on calatheas.

How can I get my orchid to re-bloom?

Ensure adequate bright light, proper temperatures with a difference between day/night, weekly weak fertilizing while actively growing, and watering correctly helps orchids bloom. Let it rest in winter by reducing water and stopping fertilizer. Repot in fresh media annually.

What’s the best way to water my fussy fern?

Ferns prefer consistently moist but not wet soil. Check soil daily and water before it dries out completely but don’t soak it. Use distilled water if possible. Allow excess water to drain out after watering to prevent root rot from soggy conditions.

Conclusion

Caring for temperamental plant varieties like fiddle leaf figs, calatheas, orchids, and ferns in the typical indoor environment can be challenging but not impossible. With some practice adjusting to the specific needs of each plant, observing their responses, and making corrections, you can get even the most finicky houseplants to thrive. Don’t give up too quickly on plants that struggle at first – success is often a matter of fine tuning the conditions and care over time. When you put in the effort to understand and provide for their unique preferences, the reward of seeing these challenging beauties flourish is well worth it!