Reasons Your Indoor Plants Die Quickly at Your Home

Admit it, we all love plants, but at some point we are not willing to keep indoor plants at home in Pakistan.

The hesitation isn’t just about laziness; it often comes from real concerns like the fear of killing plants, lack of time, space constraints, or uncertainty about how to care for them.

If you’ve ever wanted to keep indoor plants but held back, you’re not alone. Let’s break down the most common reasons people hesitate and see if these worries really hold up.

Fear of Killing the Plants

Yes, that’s could be an issue. Most people in Pakistan believe that they lack a “green thumb” and they worry about plants dying due to improper care.

I’ve had conversations with many of my customers, and this is one of their biggest concerns. They tell me stories about how they excitedly brought home a plant, only to watch it wilt and die within weeks.

For some, it was watering too much; for others, it was watering too little. Some placed their plants in the wrong spot, while others simply had no idea what their plant actually needed. These bad past experiences make people hesitant to try again. The fear of failure is real, but the truth is, plants aren’t as complicated as they seem. A little knowledge and the right plant choice can make all the difference.

One of my customers recently told me that she purchased a plant from a nursery and asked the seller to change the pot before bringing it home. However, to her surprise, the plant started wilting the very next day.

I could immediately guess what had gone wrong because the mistake was quite obvious.

Reason of plants dying quickly

When you buy a plant from a nursery and immediately change the pot there, you’re unknowingly giving it two types of shock:

1. Environmental Shock – The sudden shift from the nursery’s controlled environment to your home can be stressful for the plant.
2. Transplant Shock – Changing the pot and soil right away disturbs the roots, making it harder for the plant to adjust.

Plants are living beings. Imagine if someone abruptly changed everything in your life—your home, routine, and surroundings—would you instantly feel comfortable? Probably not. Plants feel the same way. They need time to settle before facing another change.

While you can’t fully replicate nursery conditions at home, you can at least avoid repotting immediately after purchase. Let the plant adjust to its new surroundings first, and once it shows signs of stability, then consider transferring it to a new pot. Patience is key to helping your plant thrive.

The Right Thing to Do

When you buy a plant, bring it home and let it acclimate to its new environment for at least a week before making any changes. Once it has adjusted, you can repot it into a slightly larger pot—just one size up. This approach gives the plant enough space to develop strong roots without causing unnecessary stress and you won’t need to transplant and disturb your plants real soon.

Lack of Time for Maintenance

That’s another big reason people hesitate to keep indoor plants. Life is already busy, and adding plant care to the to-do list can feel like an extra chore. Watering, pruning, repotting—it all sounds like too much work, especially for someone juggling work, home, and other responsibilities.

One of my customers mentioned that she travels frequently, especially during Eid seasons and summer vacations. She was worried about what would happen to her plants while she was away. I suggested that she invest in a water irrigation drip system to keep her plants hydrated in her absence.

If she didn’t want to buy a system, she could easily make one at home using empty cold drink bottles. By creating a simple DIY drip irrigation setup, she could ensure that her plants received a steady water supply without depending on someone else to take care of them.

These are real concerns, but plant care doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Choosing low-maintenance plants, setting reminders for watering, or even using self-watering pots can make things easier. Many plants don’t need daily attention, and some actually thrive on neglect. It’s all about picking the right ones for your lifestyle.

Perceived High Costs

Some plants are expensive to buy, and the costs don’t stop there. You need plant pots, good-quality soil, fertilizers, and sometimes extra accessories like stands or grow lights. For many, it feels like an investment with no guaranteed return—especially when there’s a fear that the plant might not survive.

It’s understandable.

No one would like to spend money on something that could wither away in a few weeks.

But the truth is, plant care and maintenance don’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of budget-friendly ways to start with.

Here is how you can manage plants as beginner.

1- Instead of pricy planters, repurpose old containers.

2- Many plants grow well in normal garden soil.

3- Get cow dung from any local area. You could easily get that in Pakistan.

4- Save the tea remains after making tea and use it in soil as fertilizer. You can make homemade compost easily.

5- When you soak rice for cooking, keep the rice water aside and use it for watering your plants

There are lots of practical ways to cut the cost.

Uncertainty About Lighting and Environment

Now, yes, that’s the real issue.

Most of the indoor plants require bright indirect sunlight and not everyone has a home filled with such light. Most of the houses and flats lack light and are too dark for the plants.

Many people are not sure which plant can handle low light and which require full sunlight. They assume all plants thrive only on direct sunlight and they think their dimly lit rooms won’t support any plants.

But the thing is, there are plenty of plants that could survive low-light.

Here is a quick list that I suggest to my customers as well.

1- ZZ plant

2- Pothos

3- Peace lilies (not commonly available in Pakistan though)

4- Golden palm ad lady palm

Simple tricks like placing plants near mirrors or using LED grow lights can help create a better environment.

Concerns About Pests

Many worry that bringing plants inside means inviting bugs, gnats, mites, or even mosquitoes into their home.

It’s a genuine issue. Many of my customers asked me about this,  especially about mosquitoes.

Poor plant care can sometimes lead to pest problems. Overwatering, stagnant water in pots, or damp soil can attract fungus gnats, while excessive moisture can also create an ideal environment for mosquitoes.

But this doesn’t mean indoor plants are a pest magnet. Simple care habits can prevent most issues. Letting the soil dry out between waterings, ensuring proper drainage, and avoiding standing water in trays can keep mosquitoes away.

Using neem oil or mild insecticidal soap helps control mites and gnats naturally. Plus, certain plants like citronella, lavender, and marigolds can actually repel mosquitoes rather than attract them.

Final Thoughts     

I can completely understand the hesitation about keeping indoor plants . People worry about killing their plants, struggling with maintenance, dealing with pests, or even spending too much money on something that might not survive. I was there once.

Concerns about lighting, space, and the time required for care also hold many back. But the truth is, plant care doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or overwhelming. All you need is to start small with a low-maintenance plant.

Plants not only beautify your space, but they improve the air-quality of your home. They are great stress-reducer and create a calming environment.