Your Houseplant Questions Answered
Common Houseplant Issues and How to Solve Them
Readers always have great questions! Here are some that have been sent into Suite101 recently:
Q: My Schefflera was doing great but all of a sudden it’s yellowing and losing leaves. Help!
A: This could be several things. Have you moved it recently? Schefflera is one of those plants that tends to be shocked easily. Remove any yellow leaves and be patient-it will eventually adjust! Being rootbound could be another cause. Tip the pot over and take a look. Are roots poking out of the drainage holes? If so it’s time to repot!
Q: Which pots are better, terra cotta or plastic?
A: The answer depends largely on personal preference. Many gardeners prefer plastic pots because they are lighter, don’t dry out as fast, and don’t shatter if dropped, but some plants, especially cacti and succulents, actually do better in clay pots because they need dry, airy soil.
Q: Can I use Miracle-Gro on my houseplants?
A: The type made for houseplants, yes, but not the type made for the outdoor garden. It’s too strong for houseplants and can cause burnt roots and plant damage.
Q: My Ivy was gorgeous until I put it in my kitchen window. Now the leaves have turned pale. Is it dying?
A: Probably not, but it does sound like it’s getting too much light. Remember that Ivy in the wild is found either as a low growing ground cover or on shady buildings. It doesn’t like direct sunlight at all!
Q: I just got a Juniper bonsai. How do I care for it?
A: Unfortunately, Junipers are not at all suitable as houseplants and will die indoors. To keep it alive it should be moved outdoors in a sunny spot and left there all year long. They need the cold of winter to enter their dormant stage. Plants better suited to be bonsai houseplants include Azalea and Ficus.
Q: My Bromeliad was doing well until it bloomed-now it’s dead! What happened?
A: Nothing! Bromeliad’s natural habit is to bloom once and then die. The plant should have some baby plants, called daughters, around the base. They can then be potted up to start all over again.
Q: I was excited to see my Purple Passion Plant had buds on it but when they opened my whole house stank! Why?
A: It’s true, not all flowers smell nice. Some smell like garbage dumps or rotted meat. The Purple Passion’s bright orange ones are proof of that. In the future remove any buds you see and enjoy the plant for its bright purple leaves!
