Plant questions

Real questions from home gardeners, the kind people post with a worried photo, answered by GrowPls: what's likely going on, what to do about it, and when to worry.

Showing questions tagged #houseplant-care · show all

monstera
Why is my Monstera new leaf browning before it fully opens?
That brown edge on the new leaf is usually from stress while the leaf is still tightly rolled – most often low humidity, underwatering, or the leaf getting stuck and damaged. Check watering, light, and humidity, and focus on helping the next leaf grow in better.
fern (likely Boston fern)
How do I overwinter hanging ferns in a bright sunroom?
That sunroom spot should work well if the ferns get bright but not harsh direct sun and the air isn’t too hot or dry. Indoors, water whenever the top of the soil just starts to feel dry, which is often about once a week but depends on your room’s temperature and humidity.
elephant bush
Why is my elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) droopy and losing leaves?
This elephant bush is most likely reacting to a change in light and watering, and it’s probably staying too wet in its current soil. Move it to brighter light, let it dry more between waterings, and consider repotting into a fast‑draining succulent mix.
mealybugs
What are the white bugs on my indoor succulent and will soap kill them?
Those white, fuzzy ovals are mealybugs (a type of sap‑sucking insect). Isolate the plant, wipe them off with cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol, then follow up with a gentle soapy or insecticidal soap spray repeated weekly until they’re gone.
sundew
Why aren’t my sundew flower buds opening?
Those look like sundew flower buds that are stalled because the plant is a bit stressed or not getting quite enough light/energy. Improve light and growing conditions and the next flower stalks should open normally.
clivia
Why are my clivia leaves turning yellow with brown patches?
Those yellow leaves with crispy brown patches are most likely from stress: too much direct sun and/or watering issues causing leaf burn and weak roots. Move it to bright shade, adjust watering, and remove the worst damaged leaves so new healthy growth can replace them.
variegated philodendron
What is this green and white variegated climbing plant?
This looks like a variegated philodendron, often sold under names like Philodendron ‘White Wizard’ or similar white‑variegated philodendron types. Treat it like a typical climbing philodendron: bright indirect light, regular but not soggy watering, and support to climb.
bird of paradise
Can I cut off side leaves to make my bird of paradise narrower?
Yes, you can remove a few outer leaves of a bird of paradise to slim its shape, as long as you cut each leaf cleanly at the base and don’t remove too many at once. This plant naturally grows wide, though, so be prepared that it will keep wanting that broad shape.
indoor palm
Why are the leaves on my indoor palm turning brown and yellow?
The browning and yellowing on this palm isn’t from seasons; it’s usually stress from watering, light, or dry air. Check the soil moisture, move it out of harsh sun, trim the dead parts, and adjust watering so the soil is evenly moist but never soggy.
zebra haworthia
Why did a leaf rot and fall off my zebra haworthia (zebra plant)?
That leaf looks like it simply rotted and died off, which can happen occasionally on zebra haworthias without meaning the whole plant is sick. If the rest of the plant is firm and leaves aren’t turning mushy at the base, you don’t need to unpot it yet—just adjust watering and keep an eye out for more soft leaves.
philodendron (red hybrid, e.g. ‘Rojo Congo’ / ‘Imperial Red’)
What is this red-leaf philodendron plant called?
This is a type of red-leaf Philodendron, most likely a hybrid such as ‘Rojo Congo’ or ‘Imperial Red’. It’s a climbing aroid that likes bright, indirect light and evenly moist soil.
split-leaf philodendron
Why are my split-leaf philodendron leaves turning yellow and brown?
That leaf has been damaged, most likely from strong sun through the window and/or some watering stress, and it’s now dying back. Remove the worst leaf and adjust light and watering so new leaves grow healthy.
tropical pitcher plant
What is this hanging plant with red pitchers?
This is a tropical pitcher plant (Nepenthes), a carnivorous vine that catches insects in its hanging pitchers. Keep it in bright filtered light, high humidity, and evenly moist soil so it can keep making those pitchers.
Monstera adansonii (Swiss cheese vine)
Why are the leaves of my Monstera adansonii browning and getting crispy?
Those brown, crispy edges and patches are most likely from leaf burn and general stress, usually a mix of too much direct sun and uneven watering. Move it to bright shade, water more evenly, trim the worst leaves, and it should grow healthier new foliage.
Alocasia (elephant ear type)
Why are the leaves on my Alocasia turning brown and yellow at the edges?
Those crispy brown edges and yellowing leaves are usually from stress: too much direct sun and/or watering issues, especially after a recent repot. Move it to bright shade, keep the soil evenly moist (not soggy), and let it recover without extra fertilizer for a while.
euphorbia (succulent type)
How often should I water this small succulent/euphorbia?
This is a succulent-type euphorbia, so water deeply but only when the soil is completely dry, then let it drain fully. In bright indoor light, that usually means about every 10–21 days, adjusting with the seasons and always checking the soil instead of the calendar.
peperomia
How can I make my peperomia look fuller and healthier?
The plant is healthy but very leggy, which usually means it isn’t getting quite enough light and needs a haircut. Move it to a brighter spot with indirect sun and prune the long, bare stems so it can grow back compact and bushy.
snake plant
Why are my snake plant leaves bending and flopping over?
Snake plant leaves usually flop when they’re older, stretched from low light, or when roots are stressed by overwatering. Check that the roots are firm and the soil dries out fully between waterings, then give it a bit more light and support the heaviest leaves.
begonia
Why is my begonia dropping leaves after bringing it indoors?
The sudden move from outdoors to indoors has likely shocked the begonia, and the new light, temperature and watering routine are causing leaf drop. Give it bright indirect light, adjust watering so the top of the soil dries slightly between waterings, and trim any dead or mushy stems so it can regrow.
angel wing begonia
Is it normal for my angel wing begonia canes to grow and lean downward?
Yes, that arching, downward growth is normal for angel wing begonias—they are naturally cane-like and tend to lean as they get tall. Give them a stake or prune the stems to keep the plant bushy and supported.
calathea (prayer plant)
How can I save my dying calathea (prayer plant) with crispy, drooping leaves?
This calathea is badly stressed, most likely from a mix of very dry soil at times and root problems from poor watering or low humidity. Check the roots, repot into fresh mix if they’re still firm and pale, cut off the dead leaves, and then keep the soil lightly moist in medium, indirect light.

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