Too much water or not enough????

Sally
by Sally

I give a small amount of water when leaves get droopy and then rhis happens. Any suggestions?

  18 answers
  • K. Rupp K. Rupp on Sep 01, 2020

    Thinking not enough. Don't wait till they get droopy. It's probably too dehydrated by that point. once a week or more(week and a half), wait until soil is dry, then put entire plant in the sink or tub for about 15 minutes and run water softly onto it to completely saturate. Then fill up a water bottle....take the cap off and quickly turn upside down pressing it into the soil. Throughout the next week or so, it will drink itself. You won't believe how nice your plant will come back. You can also use those beautiful glass globes. They work really well too. For a big plant like that though, I would use 2 globes on either side. The only thing I don't like about the globes are that the dirt gets stuck in the long tube. I usually have to clean the dirt out with a long skewer when I have to add water. The water bottle is easier but not as pretty. Pretty plant and it will come back. You can also use a little bit of miracle grow but if you use the watering method, you probably won't need to.

  • Oliva Oliva on Sep 01, 2020

    Your plant may also be root bound. Try transplanting to a slightly larger pot with new potting soil.

  • Pat Pat on Sep 01, 2020

    Cut all the dead stuff off and re-pot in a bigger pot. Water generously and you will soon have a nice looking tall plant. Looks like a Diffiebachia to me....I grew one in my living room in a huge pot and it grew to be 6 foot tall. Google it and you will see how to take care of it. Love the plant.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Sep 01, 2020

    Hi Sally,

    Think the problem is it needs to be re-potted to a bigger pot. Good luck!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Sep 01, 2020

    This looks like too much water and not enough sun. Try sitting it outside to revitalize.

  • Lynn Lynn on Sep 01, 2020

    Too much water sitting in pan. This happened to me.

  • Dee Dee on Sep 01, 2020

    I did the same thing overwatered, then fertilized and my plant is just about dead. I guess it is time for me to replace after 3 years


  • Sally Sally on Sep 01, 2020

    Thank you everyone! I have repotted two plants to larger containers. I hope they survive, they are sentimental to me.

    • LLG LLG on Sep 07, 2020

      Hi Sally!


      i have a plant menagerie at my home, as well as my office. I ALWAYS water with distilled water. The reason for this is to avoid salt/mineral build up. If the leaves are turning brown every time you water it, and you’re only watering a little at a time, you’re probably creating salt/mineral build up. As previously suggested, since you’ve already repotted the plants, be sure to take your plants to the sink or put them in a bucket and water until it runs all the way through, let them sit a while until the water stops running then put them back. I use distilled water for this and use a bucket. I put a gallon of water in it and then submerge the pot in it until the bubbles stop, then lift it out and put in the other side of the sink until it stops running. Only use fertilizer during the growing season, it will be wasted if used in winter. Hope this helps

  • Deb K Deb K on Sep 02, 2020

    Hello Sally, you definitely need to repot this it is brty rootbound, it is a Dieffenbachia, I have attached a care guide for you, hope this helps.


    https://greeneryunlimited.co/pages/dieffenbachia-care

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Sep 02, 2020

    Too much water. Make sure you let it dry completely between waterings.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Sep 02, 2020

    To much water and needs some sun

  • Janice Janice on Sep 02, 2020

    I'd say too much water.

  • I'd try watering a little less and trim off the dead leaves.

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Sep 04, 2020

    crispy leaves usually means too much sun

  • The brown stem also tells me perhaps too much water, and do remove any dead leaves as they appear. I agree with the suggestions to let it dry out between waterings. Good luck!

  • Joseph Joseph on Sep 26, 2023

    What should I do to help my plant to become healthy and green again.