A plant becoming sparse and ugly: what to do?

We all have an ugly plant at home. A bald philodendron, a silvery pothos with long, leafless stems, or a yucca with an endless trunk. But an ugly plant isn't necessarily a dead plant! We'll explain why your plant is wilting, losing its leaves, or growing too tall—and how to fix it.

Reason #1: Your plant is getting older

While the Pilea peperomioides is easy to grow, its stem tends to lose its leaves – Photo by Kulbir / Pexels

Just like us, plants change over time. And not all of them age with the same grace.

After a few years, the leaves at the base of the plant fall off, revealing the stem. The plant then loses its compact shape and gives the impression of “growing upward.” This is the case, for example, with chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides), Dracaena, and anthurium andraeanum.

This natural process is inevitable. But if you find your plant really too unsightly with its exposed stem, you can take action during repotting. Remove any remaining leaves and stipules from the base of the stem and bury it. Not only will it no longer be visible, but it will also produce new roots. If your plant produces suckers, you can also leave them in the pot to hide the bare stem and make the foliage denser.

When the bare section of the stem or trunk is too large to be concealed or buried, your only option is to take a cutting from the top. Cut your stem or trunk just below the first set of leaves to make a cutting. Keep the parent plant as well. It will recover quickly and produce new leaves.

Reason #2: Your plant isn't getting enough light

In winter and indoors, plants aren't bothered by direct light – Photo by Yomi Ajilore / Pexels

Houseplants can also suffer from etiolation. Their stems grow longer and thinner. They produce fewer leaves, and the distance between nodes increases. To top it all off, new shoots are less colorful and smaller than usual. This phenomenon occurs in all plants but is particularly noticeable in hanging plants, such as inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina), and succulents.

Etiole is caused by a lack of sunlight. In fact, etiolated stems tend to grow toward windows. To remedy this, you should move your plant closer to a light source. Also, remember to rotate it regularly so that all parts receive the same amount of light. And if natural light isn't enough, you can always invest in a grow light.

Reason #3: Your plant is infested with pests

Aphids are easy to spot with their black, green, or yellow bodies

Has your once-lush Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) lost all its leaves in just a few days? It could be an infestation of mites, scale insects, or aphids. These insects suck the sap from plants to feed themselves. As a result, the stem wilts, the leaves fall off, and the plant looks unhealthy.

The best way to protect your plant from pests is to ensure it has the right growing conditions. Check the care guides in the Monstera app to find out the recommended light exposure and watering frequency. Also, remember to air out your home regularly, especially in winter, to refresh the air.

Have you examined your plant and found spider mites, thrips, or whiteflies? Then you'll need to treat your plant. Don't worry! Most of the time, a good shower and a spray of Marseille soap are enough.

Reason #4: Your plant is lacking nutrients

Wait until the growing season begins to repot – Photo by Kaboompics / Pexels

Potted plants don't have access to the same resources as their counterparts growing in the ground. After a few years, their growth may slow down, and their leaves may turn yellow or fall off. The plant loses its density and looks like a plucked bird. Flowering may also become less frequent or even stop altogether.

To prevent your plant from becoming sparse, fertilize it during its growing season. Use a fertilizer suited to its needs (cactus and succulent fertilizer, flowering plant fertilizer, houseplant fertilizer, etc.) and follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage.

And even if you fertilize your plant, be sure to repot it regularly to refresh the substrate. Is your Monstera deliciosa too large to handle? Replace repotting with top-dressing to provide it with fresh substrate.