WHAT CAUSES HOUSE PLANT LEAF DROP?
Contact: Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor University of Vermont Houseplants drop leaves for many reasons but most are related to improper care or poor growing conditions. What are some of these reasons? Either too much or too little watering will cause leaf drop. Extremely low humidity will cause sensitive plants, such as gardenia, to drop leaves although most common houseplants will not show leaf drop in response to low humidity only. Plants in pots that are too small will drop leaves. Why? Because there may not be enough root room to support all the leaves the plant tries to form so the oldest leaves drop off. Because the space for the roots is inadequate, the plant may not be able to absorb enough water and nutrients. Some leaf drop occurs when plants are subjected to a big change in environment. Such changes occur when plants grown outside for the summer are brought inside for the winter. Greenhouse grown plants may drop leaves if placed in dimly lit house conditions. Leaf dr
