Indoor Gardening Archives - Gardening Zeal

Why is my Snake Plant Falling Over – Valid Reasons with Solutions

By Sarwat Rehman

Snake plants or Sansevierias are probably the easiest houseplants to look after, which is why many novice gardeners like to pick them as decoration. Still, snake plant falling over is the most serious problem that may result in no leaves on the plant, and it should be your first concern to find out why the leaves are falling.

Snake plant leaves fall over because of common reasons like overwatering, lack of sunlight, or unsuitable soil mix. Improper repotting also causes this problem as repotting make plant stressed out, due to which plant leaves become droopy and ultimately fall.

Thus, make sure to get into the details of all significant causes leading to snake plant leaves falling over and save your plant. Additionally, you will find counter solutions to keep plants erect and full of leaves.

What is Causing my Snake Plant Leaves to Fall?

Your snake plant is experiencing droopy leaves, and you don’t know why? You don’t have to worry too much because to help you figure it out, here are the most frequent mistakes snake plant owners make that you should definitely avoid!

snake plant Dracaena trifasciata falling over — _{Snake Plant Falling Over}

Overwatering

One thing people don’t know about Sansevierias is that they’re actually succulents. They store water in their leaves and thrive in dry environments; hence the most common mistake people make when caring for snake plants is overwatering them.

Overwatering a snake plant results in root rot, due to which the plant leaves appear to be droopy. The high water saturation in the soil makes it harder for the plant to breathe properly, making the roots thick and mushy.

Since Sansevierias are from the succulent family, they store water in their leaves, and with an overabundance of water in their leaves, they will become squishy, heavy, and yeah, you guessed it, droopy and limp.

The excess weight of the water will eventually make the snake plant completely fall over.

Insufficient Sunlight

Another reason that’s causing your snake plant leaves to fall is insufficient sunlight. Leaving your plant in a dark place for too long isn’t healthy.

Sansevierias don’t require direct sunlight and can survive with little sunlight; however, keeping them in a place with insufficient light for too long will dry your plant, and its leaves will start falling over.

Less sunlight may result in overwatering, especially if you don’t have a plant with drainage holes; because of that, the water cannot be evaporated, and the roots will absorb an excess of water resulting in root rot.

Poor Quality Soil

Using poor quality soil that does not have good drainage will also make your snake plant’s root rot. Poor drainage leads to the spread of a fungus that slowly kills the plant’s roots, due to which they can no longer support the leaves, and they begin to droop.

snake plant Dracaena trifasciata problems — _{Snake Plant Problems}

But how to tell if my soil is of poor quality or not? Don’t worry, to make sure your plant is getting the best soil blend, here’s a list of things you should avoid when choosing a soil mix for your snake plants.

Soils that have a high saturation of clay. Clay is a dense material, and it retains water. That’s why if a large amount of clay is present in the soil, it won’t have good drainage resulting in a dying plant.
You also need to avoid vermiculite. It’s a naturally occurring mineral and has small, brown flakes. It has properties similar to clay, it is very dense and retains moisture making it harmful for your snake plant.
Avoid denser soil as aeration is really important for plants. Your soil should be able to transport gasses- like oxygen with ease. A good gas supply results in healthy roots.

Improper Repotting

If watering and sunlight aren’t the issues with your snake plant, it’s more likely happening because of improper repotting.

Repotting your plant as it grows is also a really crucial step for plant growth, which many people often overlook. The best time to repot your snake plants is during the winter or spring; however, if your plant has started to wither and has droopy leaves, you may need to repot it earlier than usual.

One of the biggest signs that you need to repot your snake plant is its roots spreading out from the bottom of the pot.

It indicates that your plant has outgrown its current pot and needs more room. Check if it’s stuck or loose. If it’s stuck, then you need to get a bigger pot for your plant.

Because of the insufficient space, none of the water was getting absorbed by the soil. That’s why it appeared to be lifeless.

How to Care For Your Snake Plant?

Now that you know what to avoid while dealing with snake plants taking care of them will be really easy. Mentioned below are correct ways you can look after your snake plant.

Watering Your Snake Plant Properly

Having a proper watering routine for the healthy growth of your plant is really important. You need to be very careful and attentive whilst watering your snake plant because overwatering can kill them.

You can test the soil with your fingers, and if the top 1.25 inches is dry, it’s time to water them. However, make sure to let the soil dry in between waterings; otherwise, you will end up overwatering.

snake plant falling over — _{Dracaena trifasciata Leaves Falling Over}

When watering your snake plants, it’s best to water the soil directly. Soak the soil till all the water comes out of the drainage holes and if you’re using a pot without drainage holes, make sure you’re using less amount of water.

Do not spray the plant’s leaves using a spray bottle, as misting can cause moldy leaves.

Finding the Right Position

Snake plant leaves have the habit of leaning towards the side that has the most light; if your snake plant has been sitting in the same place for too long, some of its leaves will be droopy while the others erect.

That is why frequently rotating your snake plant to provide an equal amount of sunlight is something you can do to prevent snake plant leaves from falling over.

However, learning can also be a sign that your plant is not getting sufficient sunlight. In that case, you need to move your plant to a brighter place. Try avoiding places with direct sunlight to prevent your plant from drying out.

Using a Good Soil Blend

A good blend of soil is what makes your plant healthy and keeps it alive for a long time. Soil with proper drainage is crucial for a snake plant.

As we mentioned above, bad quality soil will lead to rotting roots. That is why having good quality soil for your plants is important, and for your assistance, here is a list of some of the best soil mixtures available in the market.

Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix – contains organic ingredients, this mixture of soil provides good drainage and nutrition as well.
Perfect Plants All Natural Succulent and Cactus Soil -affordable soil blend, perfect for indoor snake plants or other small succulents, also contains organic ingredients and provides good drainage.
Superfly Bonsai Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix – it’s an all substrate formula, a great choice for outdoor succulents, a little expensive compared to others.

Repotting Your Snake Plant Correctly

If your snake plant leaves are falling even after repotting, then you probably made a mistake during the process.

You don’t need to panic because it’s actually really easy to repot your snake plant correctly. With the steps mentioned below, you will definitely master the skill of repotting!

Start by selecting a new pot; you need to look for a wider pot that has a difference of about 2-3 inches from your old pot.
Make sure the pot is sturdy and well balanced and won’t tip over because of your plant’s weight, as snake plants are on the bigger and heavier side.
Remove the plant from its old pot and check for any root damage. If there are any mushy or dark spots, use a clean garden scissor to cut them off as they have rotted.
Put the potting mix in the new pot and put your snake plant on top of it. Adjust the soil by adding or removing if necessary. Don’t need to tamp the soil. Just make sure it’s enough to support the plant, then water it. If it sinks below add a little bit more.

And that’s it! See, that wasn’t very difficult, was it?

Conclusion – Why is my Snake Plant Falling Over?

Snake plants are really easy to care for houseplants that make great decorations for indoors or outdoors; however, if you don’t pay attention to its needs, you will most likely end up with a withered plant with flopped leaves.

That is why we have mentioned everything you need to know about snake plants, from what causes their leaves to fall to what you can do to avoid it. With a little more knowledge and some tweaking, you will have a perfectly upright snake plant!

Why Are My Rubber Tree Leaves Curling? (And How to Fix Them)

By Sarwat Rehman

Rubber trees (Ficus elastica) are tough yet easy to grow plants with deep-green, thick, and glossy leaves. Hence, it can be quite concerning when you find those shiny rubber tree leaves curling.

There are several problems that can lead to rubber plant leaves curling, such as inadequate water supply, cold weather, harsh sunlight, bug infestation, and the use of unsuitable insecticides. Provide your ficus plant with adequate water, sunlight, heat, and fertilizer to maintain healthy leaves.

Based on the way your rubber tree leaves have started to curl and your gardening habits, you can diagnose and treat any problem your plant might be facing.

Keep on reading to learn how to stop ficus tree leaves curling up.

Rubber Tree Leaves Curling – It Can Be Natural!

Before you worry and try all sorts of remedies to stop your ficus leaves from curling, check if the curled leaves are new growth. In a rubber tree, new leaf curling is a natural process. These leaves eventually uncurl and straighten out into large and attractive shiny leaves.

rubber plant leaves curling — _{Rubber Plant Curling}

If your plant is forming new foliage, especially in spring, and only newer leaves are curling, sit back and relax, and maybe even pat yourself on the back to treat your plant well enough to grow new robust leaves.

Additionally, old leaves may also crumple up a bit and curl in different directions while turning yellow, which is part of their natural aging process.

However, if you notice several leaves, especially younger ones curling up, it’s a definite cause for concern.

6 Reasons Behind Rubber Plant Leaves Curling + Their Solution

Underwatering

When leaves become dehydrated due to underwatering, they start to curl downwards. Leaving your rubber plant’s soil dry for too long can cause dehydration as the roots won’t have any moisture left to supply to the leaves.

Rubber plants seldom get dehydrated, though, and they can remain healthy for weeks without watering. However, this changes if you live in a hot climate or an especially dry region.

Dehydration can be a cause of curled-up leaves in summers if you don’t water your plant at least once a week.

A good trick to check how much water your plant needs is by sticking your finger in the soil directly. If your finger comes out dry with sand-like soil, your plant is craving water.

How to Treat It:

As for the solution, simply water your plant regularly and keep it in a slightly more humid space. If the air is especially dry and arid, group your rubber tree with other humidity-loving plants and spray with a water-Neem oil mixture every few days.

Placing your plant in a humid area like the kitchen is an excellent idea as well. Using humidifier is also a wise solution to deal the problem.

But remember not to overwater trying to compensate for the pre-existing loss of moisture- which brings us to the next probable cause.

rubber tree leaves curling — _{Rubber Plant Leaves Curling}

Overwatering

Overwatering is a common habit among new gardeners and hobbyists- and it’s the primary cause of plant disease. Whether it’s curling of leaves at their base, rotting of roots, or mold growth, overwatering is the main criminal.

Underwatering is better than overwatering in most instances because extra water can lead to root rot, which is significantly harder to reverse than replenishing dry roots.

Check the roots if you find your Ficus elastica leaves curling upwards (or downwards near the stem). If they’re drenched and starting to rot, then it’s a case of overwatering.

How to Treat It:

Immediately take action- stop watering and arrange sufficient drainage space at the bottom of the pot. Only water your plant once the top bit of the soil is dry for about an inch, which is roughly every 5-6 days. Don’t give the plant too much water at once either.

Cold Weather

Ficus elastica thrives in warm temperatures. Cold weather, especially near the freezing point, can put great strain on the plant, curling its leaves and stunting its growth.

Leaves often curl upwards and inwards when they’re stressed out by the cold. In addition to cold weather, rapidly shifting temperatures can also cause curling.

How to Treat It:

To prevent this curling response, maintain a temperature between 12°C-30°C (55°F-85°F) where your rubber plant is kept.

If you keep the plant outside, make sure to bring it inside before frost season begins, and temperatures drop. Avoid switching the plant between different rooms or from outdoors to indoors frequently.

Keep the plant near a window instead of taking it outside for some sun. You can also use a thermostat to keep an eye on room temperature.

Insufficient or Excessive Light

Light plays an essential role in keeping a rubber plant healthy and charming. However, curling may occur in the leaves when sunlight is too much or too little.

Rubber tree leaves curling downwards with drooping nodes is a sign of insufficient lighting. Plants also grow tall and straggly with their stem thinning over time.

Place your plant in a brighter area where sunlight can filter through windows and sheer coverings and reach your plant easily.

How to Treat It:

If you can’t place the plant near a window, transfer it to a window or outdoors (without direct exposure) in the morning and ensure it gets adequate sun during the daytime.

You can do this every other day. Buying an artificial light is another option if you live in a rainy region that sees the little sun.

As for overexposure to the sun, leaves may curl upwards and show a yellowy-green tint instead of their usual deep forest green. Move the plant indoors and keep it in a well-lit spot where sunlight filters through, protecting it from direct exposure.

Chemical Exposure

Commercial cleaning products, especially oil blends, can clog the stomata/pores of the rubber leaf and cause it to curl up. Soil contaminants and gas fumes from insecticide sprays may also cause curling.

How to Treat It:

The best way to clean your plant is to use a warm water spray or moist cloth. Avoid interaction between your plant and aerosol sprays. If you think the soil worsens your plant’s condition, repot it in fresh soil.

Pest Attack

The last viable cause of curling leaves is pest attack. While pests are uncommon to find shelter in a well-maintained rubber plant, especially the ones kept indoors, it’s not a possibility you should rule out. Check your plant regularly for pests.

4 common pests find a home in Ficus elastica- scales, mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids.

Scales are tiny insects with armor-like shells. They’re a bigger problem for outdoor rubber trees but can sometimes be transferred indoors. They feed on the sap at the base of the leaf and form clusters on the stem. The clusters are small white spots.
Mealybugs are insects with piercing mouthpieces that suck on the inner juices of rubber leaves. Leaves affected by them often curl downwards because of it. However, mealybugs are easy to spot as they appear like a cottony mass along the stem, as well as the leaf’s vein and underside.
Spider mites also feast on the plant’s sap and cause much damage as with the other two pests. They’re easier to detect since they form webs around the plant. Look for thin webs and tiny white clumps at the base of the curling leaf.
Aphids are pear-shaped masses that gather on the underside near the stem. They’re usually green in color but may appear red, yellow, or black. They mostly dwell outdoors but can shift inside.

How to Treat It:

Getting rid of pests as soon as you find one is crucial to maintaining the health of all your plants as bugs like spider mites spread to other potted plants like wildfire.

To clear your plant of pests, use warm water and soap. Spray the solution first, then use a soft cloth gently with the soap to clean the leaves and stem. For more resistant bugs, you can try using neem oil.

FAQs – Rubber Tree Leaves Curling

Do Curled Up Rubber Leaves Recover?

The recovery of your ficus plant depends on the extent of damage it has endured. If you notice symptoms like pest attack or inadequate water supply early on and treat it, then yes, the ficus leaves curling stops, and it will recover.

If there’s severe damage to the leaves and they’re curled up to about half their original length, the leaves won’t recover and eventually fall. So it’s important to cherish those new leaves sprouting from their buds and provide them with the optimal conditions so they can grow larger and glossier.

How Often Do New Rubber Leaves Form?

New leaves form every 3-4 weeks, so expect to see some rubber tree new leaf curling every month. This is part of the growing phase. The leaves quickly grow to their full size under the right conditions, usually taking about 2 weeks.

Conclusion – Rubber Tree Leave Curling

When mature rubber leaves start curling, it’s a sign something’s gone wrong. More often than not, the culprit behind curled-up leaves is an inadequate water supply. Plant your ficus tree in a pot with proper drainage and give it a consistent water supply. Keep your plant indoors, especially during winters. Avoid direct contact with sunlight. Regularly check the plant for pests as well.

White Spots on Tomato Leaves – 7 main Reasons + Treatment Plan

Can Cats Eat Spider Plants – Proven Ways to Stop Cats!

By Sarwat Rehman

If you are a kid from the 1970s era and a Disney fan, you must also remember the iconic movie ‘The Aristocats.’ The movie was based on a true story with a Parisian family of cats.

We can’t stress over how adorable cats can be as pets, but everything on this planet is bound to come with pros and cons.

Although cats can make a great addition to your family, pet owners often worry about the common myths going around the town.

One of the common myths to be busted is the talk of ‘Can cats eat spider plants’ or ‘Can spider plants be toxic to my cat?’.

Relationship Between Your Cats and Spider Plants / Why Are Cats Drawn to Spider Plants?

Firstly, let’s understand what a spider plant is?

Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum) is an African plant from the asparagus family of plants. These specific plants are also commonly referred to as ornamental houseplants, easy to manage as well.

Now the question arises, why do our cats usually find themselves drawn to spider plants?

As cats are obligate carnivores, they need a high amount of proteins in their diet. Their food should be chosen with the type and age of the cat.

For instance, kittens should be kept on a high caloric diet, and senior cats should be kept cool on the carbs. It really varies on their interest. In a home that has spider plants with a cat, you must witness your cats eating the leaves of the same plants.

We Can Look at it From Two Angles-

● Some people believe cats are drawn to spider plants because they generate opium-like chemicals that supposedly give a sense of fascination compared to catnips. It is believed that the feeling of fascination demands them to eat more and more. These plants can be defined as hallucinogenic as they can cause mild hallucinations in your cat’s mind.

● While some people believe that spider plants have a fragrance that can make your cat faint if they smell it.Many pet owners won’t even notice it because it is not detectable by the human senses.

While exploring different pet advices on cats, they say cats are not attracted by the fragrance but by any object which seems to sway or hang from a distance.

Are Spider Plants Harmful to Cats?

We can’t say anything specific to the above theories because it is feasible to believe in. You can only tell facts if you have come across such incidents; many owners avoid it thinking their cats are just playing with the plant out of boredom.

When your cats are found near spider plants more often than usual, it is time you observe them. According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention and Cruelty of Animals), spider plants are not poisonous to cats or other pets.

Furthermore, it is suggested to keep your cats away from such plants because if consumed in large portions, it can cause a toll on your cat’s health.

Even though spider plants are hallucinogenic in nature, if cats are not stopped from consuming them, they can create a habit of it.

Therefore, it has been observed if cats develop a habit of eating spider plants, it can be extremely difficult to deal with them. You may even need a veterinarian to take care of your cat.

Can Your Cats Get Addicted to Spider Plants?

It is true that spider plants are mildly hallucinogenic in nature, but whether your cats will get addicted to it or not, we can’t predict anything. In addition to it, there’s a difference between getting addicted to something and developing a habit of something.

In this type of case, you must take care of your cats because habits can be removed after a particular time, but addiction can’t.

When you introduce something new to your cats in order to break this habit from spider plants can be stressful for them. And, to see your cat suffering can be daunting as a pet owner. To avoid all this prior happening to your cat you can seek some pet advice to prevent any future incidents.

Ways to Stop Your Cat From Eating Spider Plants

With time if your cat is developing a habit of eating spider plants, there are steps you can take to take to stop them-

● Keep Your Cats in Front of Your Sight- Don’t let your cat go away from your site. You can always choose to caress them or play with them, with all your love they won’t think about the spider plants.

● Keep Your Spider Plants at a Distance-

If you can’t keep your cats away from the spider plants, put the spider plants away. Either keep your plants in a separate room where your cat doesn’t roam around or in hanging baskets as decor.

● Grow Plants Your Cats Can Find Their Fond in If you are a pet owner of a cat who enjoys eating nips and leaves from plants. You can always grow some that might captivate them and won’t be harmful. There are a plethora of seeds from catnips and cat grass available in the market for you to grow them at your home.

● Keep Your Cats Busy- Again, don’t let your cats get bored and eat spider plants out of boredom. Give your cats a routine of you playing with them daily or objects which they can play with. Wool Balls, Plush toys are great options to look out for.

● Spray Your Spider Plants With Bitter Tasting Repellent- If you play with them or keep your plants away from your cats, it isn’t helping. The last option is to spray the spider plant’s leaves with a bitter-tasting repellent. This can prevent your cats from tasting the plant ever because of that bitter bud encounter.

Seek Professional Help

There can be two scenarios where you might have to get professionals to do their job.

1. Sometimes, owners detect the weird behavior of their cats and get confused about what to do. In this case, you should seek pet advice from professionals instead of calling a vet.

2. If your cat has consumed huge amounts of spider plants, it can cause vomiting, upset stomach, etc. In this case, you should call a vet because of their profession. Vets can advise you on the better condition of the cat and not on their behavior.

Conclusion – Can Cats Eat Spider Plants

Usually, while buying a cat or any pet, many owners think, ‘Oh, they are adorable and easy to manage, let’s have one. In addition to that, when exploring pets, the owners are often not cognizant of such myths connected to them. It is essential that we make ourselves fully aware of the pet we will own and take care of them till their last breath.

In general, our purchase decisions of a pet are always on the back of your mind. This is because you have seen or interacted with one a couple of times.

However, there’s a difference between interacting with pets externally and taking responsibility for them for life.

To make yourself fully aware of pets and the mysteries connected with them. You can definitely opt for some pet advice from the right resources.

Many organizations offer detailed pet advice where you will know all about pets straight from their breed, habits, health background and what is good for them and what’s not, etc.

For more information, you can talk to your friend who has a pet, and alternatives are not a bad option after all.

Venus Fly Trap Turning Black: 6 Reasons [Top Solutions]

By Sarwat Rehman

Why is Venus fly trap turning black? Do they need extra care as compared to other houseplants? These are some most common queries of plant lovers.

Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) are quite different from other house plants. They need extra care when it comes to their growth. Overfeeding and wrong weather conditions are the most common causes for a Venus flytrap turning black.

So, don’t let your plant die early and learn how to keep your plant healthy and green. The steps are pretty easy but will have a significant impact on the plant’s health.

Let’s get started with some basic knowledge about the plant.

Why is Venus Fly Trap Turning Black?

This insect-eating plant is not only attractive due to its unique properties but is also hard to maintain. Most people find it challenging to keep a Venus flytrap healthy.

One of the main reasons for a dying Venus plant could be its limited lifespan. On average, a plant dies after living 20 years.
However, the Venus traps only live for about 3 months and turn black after that. Healthy leaves replace the black leaves. If this happens, then there is nothing you should worry about.

But, if the traps are turning black without replacement and the plant is dying at an early stage, then there could be one of the following reasons:

Unsuitable Growth Conditions

Growth conditions for a Venus flytrap are different from other houseplants. Unlike most plants, it takes some nutrients from the soil and the remaining from eating insects. Most probably, you may be doing wrong such as:

The first mistake you might be making is planting Venus flytraps in the regular soil. They grow best in acidic soil and have minimum nutrients.

Another mistake you might be making is adding fertilizers to your flytrap plant. Venus flytraps are habitual of growing on their own. Being from the species of wild plants, they are habitual of fulfilling their nutrient requirements from the environment.

Therefore, adding fertilizers can be one of the reasons for your Venus flytrap turning black.

Venus flytrap is also sensitive when it comes to the water that you are using. Water containing excess levels of TDS is not a healthy choice for your flytrap plant. It can cause the leaves to turn black and shorten the plants’ life.

As long as the TDS level is less than 50 ppm, there wouldn’t harm the plant. But usually, tap water contains a high level of total dissolved solids, negatively affecting the Venus flytrap.

Dormancy – Venus Fly Trap Turning Black

Like all the other plants, the Venus flytrap is also a seasonal plant. Some plants bloom in summers while others in autumn. Venus flytrap is not a winter-friendly plant.

You might notice that the traps on the plant start getting darker as the weather gets colder. This is the beginning of its dormancy period, which lasts for 4 months.

This period varies depending on the duration and harshness of the winter season in the area.

Indigestion

Sometimes the flytrap might eat an insect that is too big. When an insect gets inside, the trap mouth closes for digestion.

But if the prey size is greater than the trap, its legs stick outside, preventing it from closing. This causes indigestion, and as a result, its color starts to turn black.

Overfeeding

A Venus flytrap turning black can sometimes be a clear indication of overfeeding. It happens when you feed your plant by hand. Feeding each trap of the plant will require a lot of energy from the plant to digest the food.

This will eventually result in black leaves. Also, hand feeding your flytrap will result in excess nitrogen, which is not suitable for plants’ health.

Stress

Plants are also living beings and can get affected by the environment in which they are grown. Growing a Venus plant in a place with continuous movements can cause stress.

This results in the immediate death of the plant. If you frequently repot your plant, then it can result in “Repotting stress.”

Insufficient Lightening

Venus flytrap plant uses the sunlight to survive. The light from the sun is a source of energy it uses for digestion and other processes.

The ideal light requirement for a flytrap is 12 hours per day. Less intake of sunlight can cause the traps to turn black.

It might not die immediately but will start to weaken slowly. Leaf edges turning black are a clear sign of light deficiency.

How to Save a Venus Fly Trap Turning Black

You can take specific measures to control your Venus flytrap turning black. Here are some solutions to ensure plant health:

Venus flytraps can be used to less nutrient soil. They cannot bear soil having minerals and nutrients. To keep your plant healthy and green, use peat moss or long-fiber peat moss.
The flytrap plant is wild and therefore doesn’t need added nutrients. Adding fertilizers can damage your houseplant instead of nurturing it. When it comes to the use of water, never use high TDS level water. To ensure the healthy growth of your flytrap, use distilled water in place of tap water.
Venus flytraps need an adequate amount of sunlight to perform various processes. Place the plant pot in direct sunlight. You can also use artificial lighting to provide the plant with suitable light conditions.
Place your flytrap plant in a place having minimum movements. Also, avoid frequently changing the plant location. After changing the place of your plant, allow it to settle in the new environment.
Cut the black leaves of your Venus flytrap plant. Removing the dead leaves from the plant will save the remaining plant from turning black.

How to Remove the Dead Leaves from the Venus Flytrap?

You should be extremely careful when removing a deadly trap from your Venus flytrap. Below are some essential steps you must follow to cut the dead leaves without damaging the plant:

Ensure to use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the death traps. Removing the trap with hands can pull out the roots, and the plant can die.

Cut the death trap at the closest point from the bulb. The closer it is to the bulb, the lesser is the stress on your flytrap. But do not damage the bulb while trimming your plant as it is susceptible.

Cut all the dead leaves at once so that the plant has to bear less stress. You should remove the traps that might be resisting the growth of healthy traps.

FAQs – Venus Fly Trap Turning Black

Why Should I Remove the Black leaves from the Venus Flytrap?

Black traps can cause strain in the plant, which affects its growth. This also causes the growth of bacteria and mold on the plant, which is bad for the plants’ health.

Why Are the Leaves of my Venus Fly Trap Turning Black after Getting Proper Care?

Venus flytraps die after living for a certain period. An average flytrap lives for about 20 years before dying.

Each trap on the plant lives for only 3 months approximately. After completing the lifespan, traps start turning black before the complete death of the plant. So, even if you provide the flytrap with all the right growth conditions, it will still die.

When to Cut the Black Leaves of my Flytrap?

The edges of a flytrap leaf start turning black before it dies completely. Black edges are a sign that the trap is still able to perform photosynthesis. Wait until the trap dies, and then you can remove it from the plant.

Can I Use Fertilizers to Improve The Health of my Venus Flytrap?

Using fertilizers is not recommended for them as it is the main reason for a Venus flytrap turning black. As a beginner, you should strictly avoid it. But when you gain some experience with its growth, you can use fertilizers in its growth period. You should only use weak fertilizers to improve the health of your plant.

What is the Difference Between a Black and Yellow Trap?

A black flytrap is harmless and completely normal. It is usually a part of some natural process. Yellow leaves are not harmful when limited in number. But if there is a regular pattern of traps turning yellow before dying, there could be some problems. Yellowing of the traps is usually due to a rotten root or improper growth conditions.

String of Hearts Plant Care Guide – Ceropegia wodii

By Sarwat Rehman

Is your string of hearts plant not producing marbled green leaves or is dying? If it is so, make sure you are taking good care of it.

String of hearts plant is easy to take care and needs some basic growth conditions to be fully green, vibrant, and healthy. Give water when soil is dry, place in bright light, and maintain ideal temperature and humidity level to make it all alive. Don’t forget to fertilize once a month with diluted fertilizer.

Here you will get all about string of hearts watering, light, best place, temperature variation during winters, fertilization and problems in detail. Above all, 3 different modes of propagation are also given.

So, don’t let your precious plant suffering and take good care of it. Let’s go!

String of Hearts Plant – A Brief Intro

String of hearts plant, Ceropegia wodii, also known as chain of hearts or rosary vine is an evergreen, succulent trailing vine. It is native to South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

This magnificent plant with heart shaped dark green leaves has made us all spell bound for its cascading leaves. The leaves with variegated silver margins make variegated string of hearts plant eye-catching.

It is one of the most tolerant houseplants you can ever grow and it can grow up to 2-3 inches tall. The stem of chain of hearts also grows long and can reach up to 3-9 feet long. So, this evergreen plant is perfect for planting in hanging baskets or plant in a glass pot placed on a windowsill.

String of Hearts Profile

👩‍🔬 Scientific Name	*Ceropegia woodii*
✅ Common Name	Rosary vine, Chain of hearts, Hearts-on-a-string Collar of hearts, Sweet heart vine
🏁 Type	Succulent, Vine
⬆⬆ Height	3-9 feet
↔ Spread	2-2.5 meter
🍃 Foliage	Variegated green
🌷 Flower	Purpulish Red
⚡ Blooming Season	Summer, Fall
⛪ Suitable Place	Indoors
🌱 Soil	Well- draining
🌞 Light	Bright, Indirect
💧 Water	Moderate
🔥 Temperature	80 – 85 ^oF
Fertilization	Infrequent, Dilute fertilizer
🌏 Zone	9 to 12 USDA
🚩 Toxicity	Non-toxic
🔱 Uses	Ornamental plant

How to Care for String of Hearts?

String of hearts care is as simple as any other indoor plants. You just need to provide balanced or ideal growth conditions to make it fuller and healthier. Here is easy to follow care guide for your beautiful string of hearts.

1. Watering

Watering routines are also helpful in growth of your string of hearts plant. Before giving your plant a drink, it is better to check the moisture level of the soil.

String of hearts is a semi-succulent plant which means it is more tolerant of dry soil than wet soil.

String of hearts plant, Ceropegia wodii, loves to grow in well-drained or fertile soil but it also needs watering once after every 10 days.

You can allow the soil to dry completely between watering cycles. Because of its native conditions (South Africa), you should not take this plant to wet conditions. Otherwise it can get bunches of roots.

Overwatering tends to result in yellowing of the leaves and eventually results in leaf loss. If you think you have overwatered your plant then aerate your plant place and let the soil completely dry out.

2. Light & Suitable Growing Place

String of hearts plant prefers to grow in bright light but does not tolerate 24/7 direct sun.

Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and make your vine feeble.

Under the right warm conditions and filtered light, the variegated string of hearts plant will grow fast and will flower abundantly. If there are large spaces between leaves, this maybe the reason that your plant is not getting enough light.

As it is widely grown indoor plant, south or west facing windows are best to place a pot or hang a basket. You can also give your chain of hearts equal amount of light by rotating the plant time to time. This will ensure all sides of your plant are getting a balanced amount of sunlight.
On contrary, some home gardeners living in moderate or warm climate grow string of hearts outdoors. If you have mild or favorable conditions, you can also grow in balcony or backyard. When growing outdoors, be sure to place your plant at a spot receiving 3 to 4 hours of bright indirect sun and have shade in afternoon.

3. Temperature & Humidity

String of hearts or rosary vine plant thrives well in warm temperature and a slight humid environment. So, maintain indoors temperature to about 80-85 ^oF. On the other hand, don’t let your string of hearts sit in temperature below 41 ^oF during winters. You can easily keep record of daily temperature with digital thermometer.

chain of hearts plant — _{Chain of Hearts Plant Care}

If the temperature at your place is exceptionally cold, you can also get benefit of grow tents or simple use grow lights to give appropriate warmth to the plant.

This plant also enjoys 40-50% humidity and is well suited to mostly home conditions. Similarly, you can also enhance humidity level with humidifiers.

4. Flowering

The beauty of this plant is striking heart shaped leaves in a chain and the gorgeous pattern on the trailing leaves. But it can also produce small purple flowers in the spring/summer. These small flowers make this plant prominent and give a real indoor plant.

5. Fertilizer

String of hearts needs infrequent fertilization with a light fertilizer. You can give your plant a feed of half-diluted fertilizer once a moth during its actively growing season, May – August.

Ensure the fertilizer must not be rich in nitrogen.

An important thing is avoid fertilization in winters as plant goes in dormant phase and winter fertilization can harm more than good.

6. Potting & Repotting

In the highly suitable conditions, chain of hearts or rosary vine is easy to grow in water or soil. Make sure that the conditions are friendly to your plant. Once it is properly rooted, you can pot or repot your plant to any place you want.

It is best to repot string of hearts during summer. As plant is growing actively, the risk of plant damage minimizes.

String of Hearts Propagation

Here are some different ways to propagate this beautifully gorgeous and versatile variegated string of hearts.

Water Propagation
Soil Propagation
Tuber Propagation

Water Propagation

Water propagation of hearts-on-a-chain plant is simply easy. The steps you need to follow are:

Firstly take some healthy stems from several cuttings that are a few inches long. Place them in water pot.
Remove the leaves from each stem that are under the water in your glass. This will prevent the over rooting of the stems.
Keep the water pot filled with fresh water. Make sure you have a few leaves on each stem that are not under water.
Must change the water of pot at least once a week or so. As i mentioned above, water must be fresh. If you notice the water is getting muddy, change it more frequently.
Don’t forget to place your pot in indirect light. This is how you can have better results in few weeks.

When your water propagated cuttings get some roots, don’t wait for them to get too long. Just go and plant them in soil.

Propagation in soil

Propagation in soil follows the same method as propagation in water described above. In this method you would stick the cuttings directly into the soil.

In this way, must ensure that the nodes are properly covered into the soil. After that the root can grow. Also make sure the cuttings are placed in aerated place.

Normally using the stem cutting method is simply easy and generally shows good results.

Tuber Propagation

Tubers on chain of hearts plant describe how old your plant is. Older your plant goes; tubers of various sizes all along chain of hearts vines become visible.

Without cutting off the vines, you can place the vines with the tubers on the top of the pot.
Now bury the tubers. You will find new roots from tubers. Once it is rooted, you can cut it off from the plant.
Plant these roots to some suitable place and get a brand new chain of hearts plant.

So, if you have an old plant in your house that has lost a lot of leaves. Don’t be sad. You can easily apply this propagation method and can get another string of hearts plant, Ceropegia wodii. Just get new roots and plant them in a nice bright place. Soon you will have a newly grown string of hearts plant.

String of Hearts Problems

String of hearts is generally a resistant plant and endures varying environmental conditions to its best. Still, certain diseases and pests arrest healthy plant growth and result in various issues.

Diseases – Root Rot

Root rot is one of the most serious issues the string of hearts faces and is caused by improper watering. This problem arises when plant is overwatered. As it is a succulent and doesn’t like to sit in soggy soil, excessive amount of water rot the plant.

string of hearts plant problems — _{String of Hearts Problems}

You can easily secure your chain of hearts by being careful in watering and allow soil to be completely dried out before second round of watering.

Pests – Mealy Bugs

Mealy bugs are tiny, pinkish bugs that hide in plant without being unnoticed. They make white cottony webbing and feed on the houseplants to weaken them. Same happens with the string of hearts plant but you can wash them off with water or wipe alcohol dipped swabs on the leaves.

FAQs – String of Hearts Care

Why Is My String of Hearts Showing Yellow Leaves?

The yellow leaves on string of hearts or rosary vine are clear indication of overwatering. String of heart hates sitting in wet soil for too long and maximum plant issues arises from excessive water in the soil. If you are in doubt and cannot judge soil condition, simply put your plant out and have a finger test. Just insert a finger in the soil, if I sticks, it shows plant have wet feet. Another indication is the smell of waterlogged soil. Put yourself near to the pot, if you smell awkward, problem is in your soil.

The second obvious option is to use moisture meter as it gives definite values instead of random guess that is superb. When you will be able to maintain a balanced dampness of the soil, your plant will recover soon. In addition, using perlite in potting mix also gives best results.

Why Is My string of Hearts Leaves Curling?

String of hearts grows well in proper, bright and indirect light. When it receives inadequate amount of light or have more shade, the leaves do not grow as thick as they should and end up with curled leaves. To fix this string of hearts plant problem, shift your plant to a brighter area or if growing indoors, move your plant to outdoors for a certain time period. Placing the plant near to light source is also a good option.

Why Is My String of Hearts Leaves Drying?

The string of hearts leaves dry for inadequate watering. Although the plant is succulent, capable to withstand little watering but the leaves are directly affected and dry gradually. The older plant leaves have comparatively more water content than young foliage and can bear under watering. On the contrary, young leaves dry or shrivel early. So, the remedy of string of hearts drying leaves is proper watering.

The second most obvious reason of string of hearts dried leaves is round bounded plant. When the roots are clamped in a small pot, plant prefers losing some leaves. The leaves are dried out before falling off the plant.

Why Is My String of Hearts Leaves Falling Off?

The string of hearts also or rosary vine prefers bright indirect sunlight to give healthy green leaves but in continuous shade or insufficient light, plant leaves fall off. Plant gets low light as a stress and responds by shedding the leaves. So, if notice your Ceropegia wodii is losing leaves move it to a bright place. You can also place it outdoors unless leaves stop falling off.

If your plant’s leaves are falling despite of proper light, consider its soil moisture. If it is sitting in soggy potting mix, it must be losing leaves especially the ones closet to the roots. Terracotta pots have best drainage and help growing indoor plants without major issues.

What Is The Reason for String of Hearts Leaves Rotting?

The string hearts leaves rot if the plant is in waterlogged soil and pot has no drainage hole. The second major reason of leaves rotting is lack of light. When plant is placed in damp spaces like washroom with little light, plant suffers and leaves start decaying.

So, observe plant conditions and if using pot without drainage hole, repot in a well-draining planter. Secondly, give it adequate light as it is not good for rooms that lack light.

What Is The Reason of My String of Hearts Color Loss?

The string of hearts color loss is primarily caused by lack of light. As plants leaves have a pink hue when grown in ideal conditions, but if take away bright light, there will be no pink color in the leaves. This mostly happens with Variegated Ceropegia woodii variety as it is well known for this startling color combination. Address this color loss issue by placing string of hearts in bright light or give it a corner outdoors.