From Stuck to Sprouting: The Ultimate Guide to Happy Indoor Plants
A cozy indoor setup with a mix of lush houseplants like monstera, snake plant, and rubber plant, arranged on wooden stools and shelves by a bright window. Simple, vibrant, and full of life!
Have a plant that’s been sitting there for months (maybe even a year!) with little to no new leaves? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Let’s dive into why your plant might be struggling and how to help it thrive. Keep reading to learn the key factors to encourage leaf growth and help your plants thrive indoors!
Things to Consider When Diagnosing Leaf Growth Issues
Here are the major factors that affect whether your indoor plants are growing leaves—or stubbornly staying the same size:
1. Light Needs: Not Too Much, Not Too Little
Plants need light to grow leaves, but it’s all about balance. Too much light can cause stress and disrupt vital processes like gas exchange. Too little light and your plant simply won’t have the energy to grow.
Quick Fix:
• Place your plant in bright, indirect light, or match the lighting to the plant’s specific needs.
• Rotate your plant every few weeks to ensure all sides receive light evenly.
2. Darkness: Yes, Plants Need It!
This might surprise you, but plants need darkness just as much as they need light. During the dark hours, the energy stored during photosynthesis is distributed to fuel growth, including new leaf production. This process, called respiration, is as vital as photosynthesis itself.
Quick Fix:
• Avoid leaving grow lights on 24/7. Stick to a light/dark cycle that mimics natural day and night.
For most houseplants, aim for 12-16 hours of light and 8-12 hours of darkness.
3. The Right Soil Mix: The Foundation of Growth
Soil that isn’t properly balanced can choke your plant’s potential. The right mix is essential for water absorption, nutrient delivery, and oxygen circulation—all critical for growing new leaves.
Quick Fix:
• For most indoor plants, use a well-draining potting mix. Add perlite or sand for better aeration, and consider specific blends for succulents or tropical plants.
• Avoid compacted soil, which can suffocate roots.
4. Pot Size: The Goldilocks Zone
A bright workspace showcasing a variety of terracotta pots in different sizes, neatly arranged on a wooden table. Shelves in the background display more pots, glassware, and gardening supplies.
Pot size plays a bigger role than you might think. If the pot is too large, your plant will focus on developing roots instead of growing new leaves. On the other hand, if the pot is too small, the roots can become constricted, which might stress the plant and even cause leaves to drop.
Quick Fix:
• Choose a pot just one size larger than the current root ball.
• Ensure proper drainage by using a pot with a drainage hole or adding a layer of small rocks or pebbles at the bottom to prevent waterlogged soil.
5. Watering Needs: Hydration is Everything
Water is the vehicle for delivering nutrients and oxygen throughout the plant. It’s also necessary for cell expansion, photosynthesis, and—of course—new leaf growth. Without a consistent watering routine, your plant might stay stagnant.
Quick Fix:
• Water deeply and thoroughly, then let the soil dry out to the plant’s preferred level before watering again.
• Avoid shallow watering, which doesn’t reach the roots where it’s needed.
6. Air Circulation: Let It Breathe
Good air circulation isn’t just for aesthetics—it helps plants grow! Circulation reduces the risk of fungal diseases, promotes healthy gas exchange, and ensures that all parts of the plant receive fresh air.
Quick Fix:
• Use a small fan to improve airflow around your plants, especially in humid environments.
• Crowding plants ti create a humidity biome is fine in my books, but circulation becomes even more important in these setups to prevent disease spread..
7. Fertilization: Feed Your Plant
Megan, owner of The ZEN Succulent, holding a terracotta pot with a vibrant Alocasia plant available in the shop, along with an organic indoor plant fertilizer. While the pictured fertilizer isn’t in stock, other fertilizer options are available online.
If your plant has been sitting in the same pot for a while, the nutrients in the soil might be depleted. Without proper nutrients, your plant won’t have the building blocks it needs to grow new leaves. Check out Plan
Quick Fix:
• Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer).
• Don’t over-fertilize—too much can damage the roots and stunt growth.
8. Patience: Growth Takes Time
Sometimes, your plant just needs time to adjust to its environment, recover from stress, or enter its natural growing season. Leaf production isn’t always immediate—growth spurts often happen in cycles.
Quick Fix:
• Keep your plant care consistent and give your plant time to thrive.
• Focus on creating the best environment, and trust the process.
9. Humidity: Mimic the Tropics (For the Right Plants)
Many tropical plants thrive in higher humidity, but not all plants need it. Succulents and cacti prefer dry air and will suffer in overly humid conditions.
Quick Fix:
• Use a humidifier or group plants together for tropical varieties.
• Skip the humidity boosters for succulents—they thrive in low-moisture environments.
Growing Forward
As The ZEN Succulent embraces this new chapter as an online-only store, I want to take a moment to acknowledge what this change means not just for the business, but for the community it serves. It's clear how much love and passion has gone into building this space, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to be part of sharing that with you.
With the holiday season upon us, I hope you take time to pause, reflect, and maybe even celebrate a few new leaves (both on your plants and in life). Whether you celebrate Christmas, another holiday, or simply need some quiet moments to recharge, I wish you a season filled with warmth and joy.
Thank you for continuing to grow with The ZEN Succulent. Visit the online shop to keep your plant journey thriving—there's so much more to come!
At The ZEN Succulent, we know plant parenthood isn’t all sunshine and glossy leaves—it’s a journey. Have you stared down yellowing leaves, whispered sweet nothings to a stubborn plant, or done a happy dance over that one new sprout? Same here, and we love to hear those stories.
Drop your plant wins (or woes) in the comments, or tag us on social media with pics of your green magic in action. Let’s swap tips, laugh over the struggles, and celebrate the tiny victories together—because, let’s be real, this plant thing is a vibe.
Words By The ZEN Succulent
Inspiring everyone to embrace the world of plants, our collection features articles penned by The Sill's team of seasoned plant experts. Covering a range of plant care topics, because we truly believe Plants Bring Life, Joy and Inspirations™
