From my roots in the soil, I feel a persistent dryness. My delicate, fern-like leaves are one of the first parts to show distress when my water supply is insufficient. The soil around me may be pulling away from the edges of my container or the ground, creating a gap. Without enough water, my cells cannot maintain their turgor pressure—the internal water pressure that keeps my stems upright and my leaves unfurled. To conserve the precious water I have left, I begin to curl my leaves inward, reducing their surface area and limiting further moisture loss. If this thirst continues, my stems will also droop dramatically. A deep, thorough drink that reaches my entire root ball is what I crave, not just a superficial sprinkle.
Conversely, if my soil is constantly soggy and waterlogged, my roots are in serious trouble. We roots need oxygen from the air pockets in the soil to breathe and function. When we are constantly submerged, we begin to suffocate and die. This condition is often called root rot. As my root system decays, it can no longer absorb water or nutrients effectively, no matter how much is in the soil. This creates a paradox where I show the same symptoms as being underwatered—wilting, yellowing, and drooping leaves—because my damaged roots cannot transport water to the rest of my being. You might also notice a foul smell from the soil, which is a clear sign of decay.
As a plant that naturally thrives in the dappled light of the forest floor, I am not built for intense, direct sunlight, especially during the hot afternoon hours. When the sun beats down on me, I lose water through my leaves much faster than my roots can replace it. This is known as transpiration stress. To protect myself, I will curl my leaves to minimize sun exposure and reduce water loss. You might also notice the edges of my leaves turning brown and crispy—this is sunscald. My ideal location is one with bright, indirect light or morning sun followed by afternoon shade.
Please check the undersides of my leaves and along my stems. You might find tiny, sap-sucking insects like aphids or spider mites. These pests use their piercing mouthparts to tap into my vascular system and drink my nutrient-rich sap. This feeding not only weakens me but can also introduce diseases. As they drain my fluids, my leaves will often respond by curling, distorting, or drooping. You might also see a sticky residue (honeydew) they leave behind or notice the leaves turning pale or yellow from the loss of nutrients.
While I am not a excessively heavy feeder, I still require a balanced diet of essential nutrients to maintain my lush foliage and prolific blooms. A lack of key nutrients, particularly nitrogen which is crucial for green, leafy growth, can cause my leaves to yellow, weaken, and droop. The soil I was planted in may have become depleted over time, especially if I am growing in a container. A light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a top dressing of compost in the early spring can provide me with the sustenance I need to support my growth throughout the season.
