From my perspective, this is the most direct way I can signal a major problem. My thick, succulent leaves are my water reservoirs. When they become soft, limp, and start to wrinkle or shrivel, it means those reservoirs are empty. I am severely dehydrated. This is often caused by underwatering, especially during my active growing seasons in spring and summer. However, it can also happen if my roots are damaged from rot and can no longer absorb water, even if the soil is wet.
When my leaves turn a sickly yellow and start to fall off at the slightest touch, I am communicating one of two things. The most common reason is that my soil is too wet. My roots are drowning; they can't get oxygen and are beginning to rot, which means they can't send water and nutrients to my leaves. Alternatively, a sudden and significant drop in light—like being moved to a dark corner—can also cause me to shed leaves I can no longer sustain. Please check my soil. Is it soggy? Am I sitting in a dark room?
This is a critical distress signal. If my stem, especially at the base near the soil, feels soft, mushy, and turns brown or black, I am suffering from advanced root and stem rot. This is a fungal issue caused by consistently waterlogged soil. It is a life-threatening condition for me. The rot is spreading through my vascular system, cutting off all supply lines to the rest of my body.
If my new stems are growing unusually long with large gaps between leaves, and I'm leaning heavily towards one direction, I am etiolated. This means I am desperately stretching out to find more light. My growth becomes weak and spindly because the energy I have is being used to search for sunlight rather than to grow strong and compact. I am not receiving enough bright, indirect light to thrive.
If you see my leaves wrinkling and the soil is bone dry, please give me a thorough, deep watering. Soak my pot until water runs freely from the drainage holes, ensuring my entire root ball gets moisture. Then, let me drain completely and return to my bright spot.
If my leaves are yellowing and dropping and the soil is wet, you must act fast. Gently remove me from my pot and inspect my roots. Healthy roots are white and firm. Brown, black, and mushy roots must be carefully cut away with sterile tools. Repot me into fresh, dry, well-draining succulent mix and do not water me for at least a week to allow my wounded roots to callous over and prevent further rot.
For leggy growth, gradually move me to a much brighter location. A south or west-facing window is ideal. Be cautious not to move me into harsh, direct afternoon sun too quickly, as it can scorch my leaves. I need a stable environment with plenty of bright, indirect light to recover my compact shape.
