Having plants outdoors can truly enhance your landscape. However, even the most avid gardeners can sometimes struggle with dying plants. There are many reasons why your outdoor plants may be struggling, but the good news is there are also many ways you can help bring them back to life. With some troubleshooting, care, and a little patience, you can revive your dying outdoor plants.

Assess the Situation

The first step in saving dying outdoor plants is to assess the situation. Take a close look at the plant and its environment to try to pinpoint potential causes of decline.

Examine the Plant

Carefully examine the struggling plant for any visible signs of problems:

• Wilting or drooping – This often indicates a lack of water. Leaves may be shriveling or flopping over.
• Discolored or yellowing leaves – This can signal inadequate nutrition, drainage issues, disease, or pests. Yellowing may start with older leaves.
• Holes or chewed leaves – Look for signs of pest damage from slugs, snails, caterpillars, beetles or other bugs.
• Black or brown spots – Fungal diseases or rot can cause spotting on leaves or stems.
• Weak, thin growth – Poor nutrition or lack of sunlight may lead to stunted growth.
• Dead sections – Sections of dead branches or leaves indicate dieback that may be irreversible. Prune these out.

Evaluate Environmental Factors

Next, consider factors in the plant’s environment that may be contributing to its decline:

• Sunlight – Is the plant getting too much sun or too little? Many common garden plants need at least 6 hours of sun.
• Soil moisture – Check if the soil is draining well or staying too soggy. Stick your finger in the soil to test.
• Extreme temperatures – Heat, drought or frost can stress plants. Have there been any recent temperature swings?
• Wind exposure – Strong winds may dry out or damage plants. Are they protected from wind?
• Pollution – Car exhaust, street salt and other contaminants can damage plant health.
• Soil issues – Compacted, clay soil or incorrect pH may inhibit growth. Test the soil composition.
• Transplant shock – Recently transplanted plants often struggle to establish new roots.
• Seasonal dieback – Some plants naturally die back in fall or winter then regrow in spring.

Once you have identified some possible causes, it’s time to take action to start saving your plants!

Give Them a Good Drink

One of the most common issues for outdoor plants is inadequate watering. Plants depend on moisture from the roots up, so priority #1 is rehydrating a dried out plant.

When to Water

• Water early in the morning or late afternoon to reduce evaporation loss. Avoid midday watering.
• To prevent fungal diseases, don’t water at night or on cloudy cool days.
• After watering, lift pots to feel if they are lighter in weight and need more water.
• Use your finger to test moisture 1 inch below the soil surface where roots absorb water.

How to Water Properly

• Water slowly and deeply, not shallowly. Aim to moisten at least the top 6-8 inches of soil.
• Avoid overhead watering which can promote foliar diseases. Water at soil level.
• For container plants, water until it drains from the base of the pot. This ensures the whole root ball gets hydrated.
• Adjust frequency for weather and plant types. Tomatoes need consistent moisture while succulents prefer to dry out between waterings.

Watering Tools

• Use a wand attachment on your hose to control water flow and target the stream.
• Soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems provide gradual, direct moisture to roots.
• Water retaining granules or gels can be mixed into potting soil to increase moisture retention.
• Self-watering pots and reservoir systems help maintain soil moisture.
• Use rain barrels to collect natural precipitation and irrigate with soft rainwater.

Proper, consistent watering is vital for restoring dying plants outdoors. But take care not to overdo it, as too much moisture can also cause issues.

Address Drainage and Improve Soil

While watering is critical, the condition of your soil is also important. Poor drainage and compacted soil can leave roots starved of oxygen. Boost soil health and drainage to get your plants thriving again.

Check Drainage

• Loosen compacted soil and break up heavy clay or dense areas.
• Consider raised garden beds that provide better drainage.
• For potted plants, ensure pots have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
• Add pebbles or other coarse material at the base of pots to improve drainage.
• If the site has poor drainage, use mounded beds or consider creating raised rows.

Improve Water Retention

• Incorporate organic compost or manure to help soil hold moisture.
• Add mulch around plants to maintain moisture at the roots. Recommended thickness is 2-3 inches.
• Try moisture retention crystals in pots which absorb then slowly release water.

Aerate Compacted Soil

• Use an aerator tool or garden fork to punch holes and work organic material into the ground.
• Plant cover crops such as clover which helps break up dense soil with deep roots.
• For containers, occasionally replenish some of the potting mix to refresh aeration.

By optimizing soil health and drainage, you ensure plant roots can easily absorb the moisture they need to thrive.

Give Plants a Nutrient Boost

Along with proper water and light, plants need essential nutrients. A nutritional deficiency can cause yellowed leaves, weak growth and decline. Give plants a boost with:

Fertilizer Applications

• Do a soil test to identify any lacking nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium.
• Use organic fertilizers like compost, manure, fish emulsion, or compost tea. They break down slowly to deliver a gradual nutrient release.
• For quick green-up, you can also use fast-acting chemical fertilizers. Always follow label instructions carefully.

Foliar Feeding

• Spray diluted liquid fertilizers directly onto leaves for rapid absorption of nutrients. Avoid applying in hot sun which can burn foliage.
• For potted plants, occasional foliar feeding is an easy nutrient boost between soil feedings.

Slow Release Options

• Blend slow release fertilizer granules into potting soil for containers. They provide a steady nutrient supply over many months.
• Work organic compost into beds so decomposition slowly enriches the soil.
• Bury or stake fertilizer spikes near roots of trees, shrubs and bedding plants. Rainfall gradually activates the nutrients.

Targeting specific nutritional deficiencies identified in struggling plants can help get them back to vigor. But avoid excessive fertilizer which can damage roots or leaves.

Check for Pests

Insects, mites, diseases and other pests can quickly damage plant health. Carefully check leaves, stems and soil for signs of unwanted visitors. Isolate and treat infested plants before pests spread.

Common Outdoor Plant Pests

• Aphids – These small green or black soft-bodied insects cluster and feed on stems and leaves, leaving a sticky residue. They can spread viruses.
• Spider mites – Tiny spider-like pests that form webs on undersides of leaves. Leaves take on dusty, speckled appearance.
• Mealybugs – White fuzzy insects that leave a cottony covering on stems and leaves while sucking plant sap.
• Thrips – Slender dark-colored insects that rasp leaves, causing silver scarring or black dots.
• Scale – Flat immobile insects that encrust stems and leaves with waxy coating.
• Snails/slugs – Leave telltale slime trails and ragged holes in foliage as they feed overnight.
• Caterpillars – Chew on leaves and burrow into plants. Watch for signs of feeding damage and frass.

Treatment Options

• Knock off pests with a strong spray of water from the hose. Repeat to disrupt life cycles.
• Use neem oil, insecticidal soap, or horticultural oil sprays which smother many soft-bodied insect pests.
• Apply organic bacterias like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to safely target caterpillars.
• Release beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings and praying mantis which feed on pests.
• Diatomaceous earth sprinkled around plants cuts and desiccates soft-bodied insects.
• Set out beer traps or Vinegar traps to attract and drown slugs. Remove hiding spots like boards.
• Apply systemic insecticides as a last resort for severe infestations. Use with caution.

Dealing with pests is often an ongoing battle. Be vigilant about checking for signs of damage and respond quickly to treat infestations before they get out of hand. Integrated pest management using multiple eco-friendly approaches is ideal to protect plant health.

Control Disease Outbreaks

Like pests, plant diseases need to be addressed promptly to avoid spread. Bacterial and fungal diseases manifest in various ways, from leaf spots to sudden wilt. Isolate and treat diseased plants.

Common Plant Diseases

• Powdery mildew – A fungal disease creating a white powdery coating on leaves and stems. Common in dry climates.
• Rust – Fungal disease causing yellow, orange or brown puffy pustules on leaves.
• Blight – Bacteria or fungi causing rapid leaf spotting, wilt and dieback.
• Rot – Fungi that cause roots, stems or fruit to turn brown and mushy. Plants wilt.
• Mosaic virus – Leaves develop a mottled yellow and green mosaic pattern. Spread by pests like aphids.
• Wilt – Leaves droop and plants collapse. Often caused by fungal diseases that clog water transporting vessels.
• Canker – areas of dead tissue on bark often oozing. Caused by fungus or bacteria.

Cultural Controls

• Improve air circulation and avoid overcrowding plants to reduce humidity and leaf wetness that foster disease.
• Water in morning so leaves can dry out rather than staying damp overnight.
• Clean up and dispose of fallen diseased leaves and debris to limit reinfection next season.

Treatment Options

• Remove diseased sections, leaves or stems as soon as spotted. Sterilize pruners between cuts.
• Apply organic fungicides like neem oil, sulfur, copper or Bacillus subtilis to protect healthy plants.
• Use resistant cultivars bred to deter specific diseases common in your area.
• Rotate plant families in growing areas to avoid disease buildup in the soil.

Rapid identification and treatment of plant diseases preserves the health of surrounding plants. Focus on prevention by promoting conditions that discourage diseases.

Adjust Sun Exposure or Provide Shade

Most outdoor landscape plants require at least 6 hours of sun per day. Too little light leads to spindly, weak growth. But too much intense sun can scorch or dry out plants. Adjusting light levels can help rescue stressed plants.

Solutions for Too Much Sun

• Add shade cloth that blocks 30-50% of sunlight to create partial shade.
• Move potted plants or use large containers to provide portable shade.
• Plant sun-loving annuals around struggling perennials or vegetables as “living shade.”
• Add trellises, arbors or lattice screens to provide filtered shade.

Ideas for Low Light Conditions

• Prune overhanging trees or shrubs to increase light penetration.
• Select shade-tolerant plants like hostas, astilbe and coral bells that need less light.
• Reflect light into shady beds with white-painted fences or walls.
• In fall, cut back tall plants to reduce shadowing as sun angles get lower.
• Add grow lights on a timer for potted plants that need supplemental lighting.

Monitor sunlight patterns and make adjustments so each plant gets the light exposure it requires for healthy photosynthesis.

Protect from Temperature Extremes

Plants can become stressed when outside temperatures spike up or down. Protect them from intense heat, winter chill and late spring frosts.

Solutions for Hot Weather

• Add shade structures like umbrellas or shade cloth to reduce direct sun exposure.
• Use light mulches like straw or gravel that reflect heat away from roots.
• Maintain consistent soil moisture to prevent wilting. Water early in the day.
• Mist plants to temporarily cool leaves by evaporation. Best done early or late in day.
• Move potted plants so they are protected from hot afternoon sun.

Ideas for Cold Protection

• Cover plants with cloches, cold frames or fabric row covers to retain ground warmth.
• Add mulch around roots to insulate from frost. Leaves, pine needles and straw all work well.
• For potted plants, move into a greenhouse, cold frame, garage or protected entryway for winter.
• Water well before extreme cold to keep roots hydrated. Avoid fertilizing late in year.
• Wrap trunks of young trees or shrubs in burlap or tree wrap to prevent winter injury.

Taking simple precautions protects plant health when temperatures spike outside their preferred range. Be ready to respond flexibly to changing seasonal conditions.

Rule Out Underlying Issues

Sometimes cultural fixes are not enough to revive declining plants. Underlying issues in the original planting, plant selection or care may need to be addressed:

Check Original Planting

• Was the plant put in too deep? This can cause rot. Young trees should have root flare visible.
• For trees and shrubs, was the burlap and any wire basket removed at planting time? These can girdle stems.
• Are plants too crowded? Give them space to develop or divide overgrown clumps.

Ensure Appropriate Plant Selection

• Is the plant suited to your growing zone and climate? Certain varieties require mild winters or cooler summers.
• Does it get the sun exposure it needs? Most veggies need full sun while many perennials prefer partial shade.
• Does the mature plant size fit the location? Plants crowded out often decline.

Monitor Care Practices

• New transplants need frequent watering until established. Were they kept consistently moist?
• Are plants getting regularly fertilized when needed? Nutrient deficiencies weaken plants over time.
• Have pests and diseases been controlled? Ongoing issues slowly stress plants.

Taking time to evaluate underlying factors helps prevent future problems and supports long-term plant success.

When to Remove Dead Plants

Despite your best efforts, sometimes plants decline too far to be revived. If a plant shows extensive dieback, wilting, pest infestation or other severe symptoms, removal may be the best option to start fresh.

Signs it May be Time to Remove

• Majority of leaves and stems are desiccated, shriveled or blackened
• Main branches or entire plant collapses without regrowth
• Roots are rotted or stunted with little healthy white tissue
• Infestation is severe despite repeated pest treatments
• Disease has rapidly spread to all parts of the plant

How to Remove

• Cut back dead stems to ground level and uproot dead annuals.
• Dig out the root system of dead shrubs, trees and perennials.
• Dispose of diseased plant debris in trash, not the compost pile.
• For trees, grind out the stump or leave and let decompose naturally.
• Refill hole with fresh soil and lightly amend with compost.
• Allow soil to rest before replanting a new specimen.

Sometimes it really is time to start over. But don’t give up too soon! Many plants can rebound given a little TLC.

Be Patient and Consistent

Reviving dying plants takes time and consistency. Don’t expect an overnight turnaround. It can take weeks or months to nurse a plant back to health. Stick with the troubleshooting and care regimen. With patience and persistence, most distressed plants can recover and return to adding beauty to your outdoor space.

FAQs About Saving Dying Outdoor Plants

What causes outdoor plants to die?

There are several common causes of outdoor plants declining or dying:

• Insufficient water – Plants are drought stressed from inadequate or inconsistent watering.
• Overwatering – Soggy soil leads to root rot and lack of oxygen.
• Extreme heat or cold – Temperature extremes outside the plant’s preferred range.
• Lack of nutrients – Nutrient deficiencies impair growth and vigor.
• Too much or too little sun – Inadequate light prevents photosynthesis.
• Poor drainage – Waterlogged soil suffocates roots.
• Transplant shock – Stress of being newly planted causes collapse.
• Pests – Insects, mites, slugs, etc do extensive damage.
• Diseases – Fungal, bacterial or viral pathogens attack the plant.
• Incorrect planting – Wrong hole depth, buried root flare, forgotten burlap.
• Incorrect climate – Plant variety unsuitable for zone or microclimate.
• Old age – Some plants decline past their natural lifespan.

How can you tell if an outdoor plant is dead?

An outdoor plant that is dead or dying will show some of these signs:

• Majority of stems and branches are brittle, dried out and break easily
• Leaves are shriveled, wilted or falling off with no new growth
• Minimal signs of life when you scratch the bark
• Roots are brown, mushy or stunted if you gently