Don't Throw That Dying Plant In The Trash: Try These Genius Uses Instead

Whether you're a plant serial killer or simply dealing with one sad-looking fiddle leaf fig that got upset when you moved it, dying plants are never a fun thing to face. You may be tempted to chuck your dying plant in the trash. The guilt when you look at it can be pretty overwhelming, right?! But, instead of doing that, you can repurpose them in a variety of ways. If you are green-thumbed, you can give your dying houseplants new life by propagating them. Cut off leaves and stems that still look healthy and put them in water or soil. Then, cross your fingers that new buds and roots will appear. 

However, propagation isn't the only thing you can do with dying plants. If you have sworn off prayer plants because you have killed one for the tenth time, facing new prayer plant babies may feel daunting. Instead, you could get experimental and create leaf art, or use them to help your sturdier, healthier plants thrive by turning them into mulch or compost.

If you are feeling particularly creative, making leaf art with your dying plants is a great way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon. There are a few ways you can get arty with leaves, and it all depends on how your leaves look (and your preferred aesthetic). For leaves that look good and aren't all withered and yellow, you may wish to press them and frame them in glass. You can use heavy books to press leaves, leaving them between the pages for two to four weeks until they dry out. Once they are dry, you can put them in a frame and display them in your home. 

For more yellowing or unattractive leaves, you could experiment with printing. All you need to do is paint the leaves, then press them onto a canvas. You can get really creative here, adding different leaves onto the canvas and even doing some hand-painting to add detail or imagery. This can be really fun, and when it's done, you'll have an unusual piece of wall art that adds a unique touch to your home. 

Dead plants can be a great ingredient to use in your DIY mulch, but you must make sure they didn't die from an infection or disease before using them. This can create more issues in your garden, and you want to help your plants, not harm them. Take your dying plant and inspect it for signs of disease. If there are no signs, try to determine the cause of death by reflecting on what plant it is, its lifespan, and its general care needs. Certain plants, such as orchids, are notoriously difficult to keep alive, and they may die without any apparent reason. 

Once you know that your dead plant is safe to use for mulch, cut the leaves up and spread them evenly on the soil of your other plants. A two- or three-inch-thick layer of mulch is usually best, so you may want to mix your dead plant leaves with other organic material to provide your garden with good coverage. When mulching, don't pile it up against the crown or trunk, as this can cause damage. By using your dead plants as mulch, you can help your other trees and shrubs stay healthy. Alternatively, if you've got a compost pile going, add your dead houseplants to the mix. This is a really easy way to ensure your dearly departed greenery hasn't gone to waste. Just be sure to remove all of the soil first.