Q&A for How to Keep Your Plants from Dying

Generally, no. Some plants aren't dead even though they look dead and may come back to life from the roots. Some perennials will die all the way back to the ground during the winter and return in the spring.

Yes, prune off dead or diseased leaves and stems. Avoid removing more than 1/3 of the plant during pruning, unless doing a rejuvenation pruning.

They could be during brown because of too much sun, a disease, a nutrient deficiency, or a pest problem.

Keep your plant watered according to its watering needs. As a general rule, water once the soil is dry to the touch and be sure to protect your plant from extreme temperatures.

To encourage your plant to grow and thrive, make sure it is getting the proper amount of sun exposure, exposed to the appropriate temperature range, given the right amount of fertilizer, watered correctly, provided with good soil for its specific needs, and pest-free. Do some research about your plant and figure out what it needs in order to thrive. Consider choosing a different plant if your space isn’t meeting the current plant's requirements.

The white spots could be an infestation of powdery mildew or a similar fungus. This kind of infestation looks like a white powdery substance on the leaves and will cause your plant to go down hill if left unchecked. Water your celery and thyme less and see if anything changes. If this doesn't help, purchase a fungicide and apply it to your plant according to the instructions on the label.

You will want to keep the plant hydrated as much as possible. Also, keep the plant in a shady place, with minimal sunlight. Results may vary due to plant type.