My Corkscrew Rush is Dying – Reasons and Fixing Guide

Corkscrew rush is most probably unusual yet the best-looking indoor plant ever! If you are a true plant enthusiast then you must own one. This stunning ornamental plant with its curly-Q stems is the absolute show-stealer among all flowering and leafy plant displays. The plant is also known as Juncus Effusus Spiralis.  

However, the problem begins when you discover your Corkscrew rush is dying. No wonder why many gardeners sign about their unique piece dying. Nonetheless, you are on the right site to find the reasons.

There can be a few reasons why this is happening to your plant. The reasons include insufficient light, improper watering, wrong weather and environment, unfertilized soil, diseases, pests, and more.

Nonetheless, we are going to describe all providing you with control measures for them as well. So, bear with us till the last.

Reason	Fixing Guide
Insufficient light	Keep the plant on the north windowsill
Improper watering	Water frequently
Wrong weather	Ensure required humidity and temp.
Inappropriate fertilizing	Timely application of fertilizer
Cultivation issues	Maintain the guidelines for care
Pests and diseases	Apply pesticides and fungicides

 Why My Corkscrew Rush is Dying-Solution

1. Insufficient Light

Your corkscrew rush is a sun-loving plant. Hence, it is important to place it in the sunniest place in your room. The plant must require morning and evening sun. nonetheless, there is a certain time limit for that.

Because it will affect adversely if you keep your corkscrew under direct sunlight for hours after hours. Two to three hours of sunlight is enough for them to thrive jollily. Sunlight more than that will cause scorch and dehydration to the plant.

For your information, over-exposure to the sun can also bring negative results like the curling of leaves and brown edges. However, the Juncus can tolerate insufficient light to some extent. But, this way it will not grow much.

Then again, if you place the corkscrew rush in a dark location then you might discover expeditious leaf loss. And a plant losing its leaf immensely is not going to live for sure. Thus, ensuring the light is so much important especially if it is a corkscrew rush.

Signs

For Insufficient Light

• Scorching and dehydration of leaves
• Dropping of leaves
• Deformation of leaf structure and color

For Excessive Sunlight

• Curled leaves
• Brown and dried edges

Control Measure

• Place your potted corkscrew rush in a location where it will face the north side. You can also keep it facing north-west or north-east as well on the windowsill.
• Ensure sunlight especially when it is winter or autumn.
• During summer you can replace this plant outdoor as well. But make sure to keep it in a sheltered place.
• Semi-shaded conservatory places can decline to scorch the juncus plant as well. So, think of it as an option.

Ensuring a brighter environment for a certain period can result in a healthy plant. Since you have to take the plant at night temperature that is sometimes below 8 or 10 degrees Celsius so, light in the daytime is important.

2. Improper Watering

The water requirement in a corkscrew rush is quite different. Unlike other indoor or outdoor plants, Juncus Effusus Spiralis require soil that remains constantly wet. Only wet soil can confirm the best thriving of the plant.

It is simply because dry soil eventually kills the Corkscrew rush. It makes the leaves turn yellow and brown getting too dry. Where all other potted plants require small holes in the bottom surface of the pot for better drainage, Corkscrew requires no hole.

Hence, it requires immense water that will make the soil marsh and soggy. However, it is also important to ensure evenly moist soil. Moreover, under-watering the corkscrew plant will introduce you to crispy patches on leaves.

Nonetheless, keep in mind that over-watering the corkscrew plant also has side effects. It will create moldy soil that is responsible for the rotting of the roots and stems of the plant. So, in both aspects, you have to take proper steps.

Signs

For under-watering

• Browning of leaves
• Crispy patches on leaves
• Deformation of plant
• Stunted growth

For over-watering

• Mushy brown patches
• Moldy soil
• Root and stem rot

Control Measure

• Water the Corkscrew rush frequently so that the soil is moisturized enough and evenly.
• Use a moisture meter to check on the soil. Never let it dry (our pick: XLUX Soil Moisture Meter) 
• Let not the plant be dehydrated for a longer period.
• Try not to overwater the corkscrew plant.

Nonetheless, some variety of Corkscrew rushes can also withstand stagnant water. So, they can tolerate over-watering. Thus, know your type.

3. Wrong Weather

Corkscrew in wrong weather is also a reason why they are dying. Like other ornamental and indoor plants, this plant also requires favorable weather to thrive amazingly. The plants require 40 to 50% relative humidity for proper growing.

Since corkscrew rush requires constant moisture soil, it is better if the natural humidity is at high levels. However, over-misting your plant will also not be a better idea. It might cause several diseases.

Again, favorable temperatures also matter for your Corkscrew rush to grow well with an attractive appearance. They require temperatures from 18 to 27 degrees Celsius or 65 to 80 degrees F. They indicate average to room temperatures.

Sign

• Corkscrew rush dying slowly
• Slow or stunted growth
• Developing of disease
• Dropping of leaves

Control Measure

• If you keep the plant outdoor during summer, do not forget to bring the plant back indoors especially when the temperature falls dramatically.
• You can use a small humidifier in your room to control the humidity if the corkscrew is placed there.
• Mist your plant on a regular basis. But do not get overwhelmed. You can do it with the help of a mister that provides fine spray. Know that big water drops on leaves might call on diseases.
• Gardeners nowadays also use humidity trays with pebbles. These trays are good at controlling humidity.
• Also, save your corkscrew from frost. The plants cannot tolerate it.

4. Inappropriate Fertilizing

Your corkscrew rush can also show symptoms of dying due to inappropriate fertilization. However, fertilizing mostly depend on the soil where the plant is already planted. Since most corkscrew rush is the potted plant they mostly require peat moss-based mix.

This type of potting mix does not require much fertilization. However, still fertilizing the soil will help the plant to grow better with lush foliage. Poor and unfertilized soil will kill your corkscrew rush in no time.

Moreover, unfertilized soil will lead to an unhealthy corkscrew rush. Again, it can cause several damages to roots, leaves, and stems.

Sign

• Slow growth rate
• Affected roots and leaves
• Roots not acting properly
• Gradual death

Control Measure

• Fertilize the soil during the growing period of the corkscrew rush. Fertilizing after every four or six glasses of water during winter and autumn will provide a better result.
• You can apply all-purpose fertilizer to your plant. It will work well (our pick: Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food)
• However, professionals suggest applying fertilizers that are specifically made for houseplants and come with a specific label as well.

5. Cultivation Issues

Cultivation issues are major causes why your Corkscrew Rush is dying. There are some facts that you have to keep in your head while raising this plant.

First of all, the potting mix of Corkscrew Rush is quite different. Because of its specific type of soil and plant type, the soil of the pot becomes dry frequently. And this is what Corkscrew rush cannot stand.

Moreover, it permanently damages the older leaves. Again, many new owners of corkscrew rush to apply tap or cold water to water the plant. Too much cold water can damage any plant and this plant is also not an exception.

Furthermore, tap water does not sit well in the soil. Hence, this water is of no use to the corkscrew. Again, many apply harsh chemicals to the plant for its growth. This is another mistake. It can cause chemical burns to the plant.

Then again, many owners do not repot the plant after some years. Whereas, it is important to keep repotting the plant after some certain years to keep the corkscrew alive.

Signs

• Burning of leaves
• Deformation of the plant
• Stunting growth
• Ironise their roots
• Yellow haloes on leaves

Control Measure

• Always apply lukewarm water for the watering purpose of your Corkscrew.
• If you are bound to use tap water then let the water stand for up to one day for effective application.
• Only apply the specialized fertilizers to the soil.
• Repotting is a must. Repot the existing corkscrew at least every three years. Definitely use a houseplant potting mix. Also, ensure the new pot has adequate space and a proper drainage system.

6. Pests and Diseases

Corkscrew rush plants are highly resistant to pests and diseases. Due to their unique leaf feature, the plant is barely attacked by any pests. Yet, there are some common pests that can attack the plant and consequently lead to death.

The common pests include aphids, scale insects, mealy bugs, vine weevils, and all. Most of these insects feed on the cell sap and destroy the leaves and stems of corkscrew plants.

Again, to talk about the diseases, corkscrew mainly suffers from root rot, botrytis, and sometimes leaf spot diseases. High humidity, unplanned air circulation, and dark places are favorable conditions for these diseases.

Nonetheless, among them, botrytis blight or grey mold is highly dangerous. It leads the corkscrew to death. Initially, it attacks the foliage and develops orange or black small spots on them. Moreover, you might also discover lesions and elongated streaks.

Symptoms

• Black spots on foliage
• Elongated streaks
• Mould-over the soil
• Infectious

Control Measure

• Remove affected leaves at once you discover the pests and diseases and destroy them.
• Also, prune off the affected and infectious parts. Or, you can go for a moderate hose-down taking the corkscrew outside.
• Apply horticultural oil or soapy spray to the plants for moderate pest attack.
• To get rid of severe pest attacks, apply pesticides (our pick: Natria Insecticidal Soap).
• Again, to get rid of several diseases and fungal attacks apply commercial fungicides [our pick].

Try to read out the instructions first before applying pesticides or fungicides.

FAQs

Optimum Requirement for Corkscrew Rush

Soil pH	Slightly acidic or neutral
Water	Four times a week
Temperature	18-27°C
Humidity	40-50%
Growth	0.5m in length

 Final Words

Now you must know why your Corkscrew rush is dying. Well, we have portraited the possible causes. But you have to determine which one of the causes has taken place. Identify and then take proper actions.

To guide you to the right path, hope that our provided control measures will help you through.

So, if you are even a bit helped by our information in this article then let us know with your feedback.