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 #repotting · show all

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  pothos (money plant)

  Why are my pothos leaves turning yellow after repotting?

  Those yellow leaves are most likely from stress after repotting plus soil that’s staying too wet. Check that the pot drains well, let the soil dry a bit between waterings, and trim off the worst yellow leaves.

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  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.

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  heartleaf philodendron

  What is wrong with my heartleaf philodendron with yellow, crispy leaves?

  The plant looks badly stressed from a mix of underwatering and an old, crowded root system, so many of the old vines have died back. Start by pruning all dead growth, checking the roots, and repotting into fresh, well‑draining soil, then water regularly but not constantly soggy.

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  variegated monstera

  What should I do with my new variegated Monstera with browned leaves?

  Those badly browned leaves are old damage, not a disease. You can safely cut off the worst ones and let the plant settle in its pot for a few weeks, only repotting if it’s very rootbound.

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  monstera

  Should I trim burned leaves on my Monstera and when should I repot it?

  Those brown, crispy patches are old sunburn and won’t heal, but you don’t have to rush to cut them off—only trim if they really bother you or if a leaf is mostly damaged. Repot once you see roots circling the pot or poking from the drainage holes, ideally in the growing season (spring–summer).

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  bougainvillea

  How should I repot a rootbound bougainvillea that isn’t growing or flowering?

  The bougainvillea is rootbound and stuck in a narrow soil column. Shift it into a slightly larger pot, gently loosen and tease apart the outer roots, and prune only a small amount if they’re tightly circling. Use very well‑draining soil and full sun to get new growth and future blooms.

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