How do I care for these plants?

Shoshana
by Shoshana

I think these plants may have been over watered or under watered during the winter months. How can I help them? TIA!

  6 answers
  • Bianca Mitchell Bianca Mitchell on Feb 11, 2019

    First, using a clean and sharp pair of scissors, trim away all of the damaged bits so the plant doesn't overwork itself trying to repair the damage.


    Next, see those wood stakes? Carefully pull one up and examine the condition of the wood where it has been 'underground' - if dry and/or cracked, so is your plant.


    Take it into the bathroom put it in the tub or shower enclosure so it will drain safely, and give it a lukewarm drink of water making sure to drench the soil and wet both sides of the foliage (partly to clean but also to knock off any no-seeums that may be chewing the undersides of the leaves - the critters, if any, will drown in the watered soil). Using the shower spray will give it a good drink and rain shower bath but you can also use a watering can or measuring jug with a pour spout. Check the plant in about 45 minutes - to be on the safe side you should give it another long drink and bath, then let it drain overnight.


    If the pulled up stake shows moisture (including mould and other 'rot'), put the plant in the bath, give it a drink and bath one time only to rinse the soil and let it drain overnight. Then put it in a warm (but not direct sun) spot and let the soil recover. If the soil is too 'sick', you may want to consider completely changing the soil - be sure to scrub the pot with plenty of hot water (but no soap!) and be sure it's dry before putting the new soil and plant back into the pot.


    Wood BBQ skewers as a soil moisture checker work great if you prefer not to invest in a moisture metre that you poke into the pot on a regular schedule to ensure your plant is getting the right amount of water. Just poke the skewer(s) into the soil all the way to the bottom, and when it's time to check just pull up the skewer to see what's happening under the surface.

  • Melanie Melanie on Feb 11, 2019

    This looks like a "mother-in-law" plant and if that's the case, short of digging it up u CAN'T kill it. I would suggest separating the good from the questionable and then either put the separated pieces in water til they start to sprout roots or just put them in fresh dirt smaller pots till they outgrow then transplant again into something larger

    • See 3 previous
    • Melanie Melanie on Feb 12, 2019

      No throw dead stuff away. Keep leaves and stem. Put in glass of water til roots sprout then transplant it into fresh dirt. The bamboo skewers are a great way to keep track of moisture in the dirt. But all this good advice u received should get ur plant back on healthy street again.

      Remember too,plants love to be talked to.

  • These are the easiest plants to care for. They thrive on neglect and can live in lower light conditions. I only water mine every few weeks. It looks like the plastic pot is sitting in a ceramic pot. Take it out and make sure that the bottom isn't filled with water. Maybe place it by a vent for a day to help it dry out.

  • Shoshana Shoshana on Feb 11, 2019

    Thank you for all of the advice!

  • Kim Kim on Feb 11, 2019

    I agree, too much water. I would trim off dead parts and replant it in dry dirt. You can use the same pot just lightly shake off dirt on roots.

  • Betty Betty on Feb 11, 2019

    Hi you have some good answers. I agree with all of them. .