From my perspective, water is life, but it must be in perfect balance. My leaves are excellent indicators. If they are turning yellow, feeling soft, and dropping, your human instinct to water more might be drowning me. My roots need oxygen as much as they need water; saturated soil suffocates them, leading to root rot. Conversely, if my leaves are dry, crispy, and brown at the edges before they fall, I am desperately thirsty. I am a vine that prefers consistently moist soil, not a desert nor a swamp. Please check the soil an inch below the surface; if it's dry, I need a drink. If it's soggy, I need time to breathe and for my soil to dry out.
I am a child of the sun, thriving in full sun to partial shade. If I am dropping leaves, consider my placement. Too much intense, direct afternoon sun in a hot climate can scorch my leaves, causing them to brown and drop. However, if I am languishing in deep shade, I cannot produce enough energy through photosynthesis. I will become weak and shed leaves in protest. Furthermore, I am sensitive to sudden temperature shifts. A cold draft from an air conditioner, a sudden frost, or a blast of heat from a vent can shock my system, triggering leaf drop as a survival response to conserve energy.
My lush foliage can sometimes attract pests you cannot easily see. Tiny spider mites suck the chlorophyll from my leaves, causing a stippled, pale appearance before they fall. Aphids cluster on my tender new growth and stems, draining my sap and excreting a sticky substance that can lead to sooty mold. Please inspect the undersides of my leaves and stems closely. An infestation forces me to abandon compromised foliage. Similarly, fungal diseases, often exacerbated by overhead watering or poor air circulation, can cause spotted leaves that eventually yellow and drop.
I am a vigorous grower and to support my flowering and leafy growth, I require proper nutrition. A lack of essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, iron, or magnesium, can cause chlorosis (yellowing leaves with green veins) and subsequent leaf drop. However, too much fertilizer can also be detrimental, causing fertilizer burn to my roots which manifests as brown leaf tips and dropped leaves. Finally, if I am pot-bound, my roots have nowhere to grow. They become congested and cannot effectively take up water or nutrients, which will quickly show in my declining leaf health.
