Help! Is my plant dead?

We’ve all been there. You do your best to keep your plants alive but one day you look outside and your fun foliage looks like a dead doldrum (I’m better with landscape design than alliterations). WHAT NOW?

Is it seasonal?

Most plants are seasonal. They have seasons they thrive and others they can go dormant for. Here in coastal Southern California we have fairly ideal climate. Many plants that go dormant in the Midwest thrive year-round here. But, there are still quite a few deciduous plants. Do your research first about the plant in question. Knowing what you have and what to expect is extremely helpful in maintaining plant health. That’s why I always give my clients a plant packet with information on all the plants I utilize. A few easy go-tos are nursery websites (my favorite is San Marcos Growers but note their information is based in the Santa Barbara area) and Sunset’s Western Garden Book.

Am I watering too much or too little?

This is a bit of a toughie because the symptoms can look similar. Chances are, you’re more likely to overwater than underwater. During install, contractors usually set watering cycles for plants to establish, which can be more than twice the amount a healthy grown plant may need. It takes 6 weeks for plants to acclimate at which point, try to dial back the watering. It’s important to play with your irrigation cycles seasonally (we turned off our water completely this winter and everything survived!). Usually, the symptom I’m looking for with underwatering is cracked dry ground. You can also buy a moisture meter for cheap if you don’t trust yourself. But, you want to be testing the soil a few inches down since that’s where most roots start.

My tree hasn’t done anything in a while. Is it dead?

The easiest test to see if your tree is alive is a quick scratch test. Use your nail to scratch at the surface of the bark (I like to do at least halfway up the tree). If it’s green beneath the bark, it’s alive. If it’s crispy and brown, it’s dead. Also, know the lifespan of your tree. Most citrus trees have about 20 years of production, so if it was planted by the original owner in the 90s, it might be done.

The leaves just don’t look right.

It could be a fungus or insects or both! Google is really good with helping diagnose. I love using Google Lens. But, if you want to talk to an expert, take a cutting (at least a few leaves of an affected area) and some good photos to a local nursery. Armstrong usually has a nursery professional who knows their stuff. If you’re in Orange County, Roger’s Gardens is a great source for information. If your concerns are with a tree, the best approach is to hire a LICENSED arborist to come out and take a look.

What can I do?

You can always help your plants along. Use ORGANIC fertilizers or our favorite stinky approach: fish emulsion. Why organic? Chemical fertilizers get immediate results that peter out over time. Organic fertilizers helps enhance the existing environment your plant is living in for long term health.