First, you must understand my perspective. I am likely dying because my core needs are not being met. Begin by checking my soil. Is it constantly wet and cold? My roots are Mediterranean; they crave excellent drainage and cannot tolerate "wet feet." Soggy soil suffocates my root system, leading to root rot, which is a primary cause of my decline. Conversely, is the soil bone dry and pulling away from the pot? While I am drought-tolerant, extreme and prolonged neglect will push me beyond my limits. Also, check my light. I am a sun-worshipper. Without at least 6-8 hours of direct, strong sunlight daily, I become leggy, weak, and unable to produce the energy needed to sustain myself.
If the soil is waterlogged, you must act immediately. Gently remove me from my pot. Examine my roots. Healthy roots are firm and whitish-tan. Rotten roots are mushy, dark brown, and often smell bad. Using clean, sharp scissors, carefully trim away all the rotten parts. Repot me into a container with exceptional drainage holes, using a fresh, gritty potting mix. Amend standard potting soil with perlite, coarse sand, or fine gravel—aim for a mix that feels loose and fast-draining. After repotting, water me lightly to settle the new soil around my remaining roots, then allow me to dry out significantly before watering again. Water me deeply only when the top inch of soil is completely dry to the touch.
Place me in the sunniest location you have. A south-facing window is ideal indoors; a full sun spot is necessary outdoors. More light will fuel my recovery, encouraging new, sturdy growth. Furthermore, ensure I have good air circulation. Stagnant, humid air encourages fungal diseases like powdery mildew, which can coat my leaves in a white powder and further weaken me. Prune any crowded stems to open up my structure, allowing air and light to penetrate my interior branches.
Do not be afraid to give me a hard prune. Removing dead, dying, and overly woody stems allows me to redirect my precious energy into producing new, healthy shoots. Use clean, sharp pruners and cut stems back by up to one-third of their length, making your cuts just above a set of healthy leaves or a node where new growth can emerge. This pruning signals to me that it is time to focus on regeneration. You can also remove any flower spikes, as flowering is an energy-intensive process that I cannot afford during my recovery.
Please, do not fertilize me while I am in this fragile state. My roots are damaged and sensitive; chemical fertilizers can burn them and cause further stress. I am adapted to thrive in relatively poor soils. Focus on perfecting my water, light, and soil conditions first. Be patient. Recovery will not happen overnight. Look for signs of new growth at the nodes and the base—this is my way of telling you that your care is working. Once I have shown consistent new growth for several weeks, you can consider a very diluted, balanced fertilizer, but it is often unnecessary.
