From my perspective, the most common issue is confinement or suffocation. My roots are my mouth and my anchor. If I'm in a pot that's too small, my roots become pot-bound, circling tightly and unable to access the nutrients and water I need to send up to my leaves. Alternatively, if the soil is heavy, poorly draining, and compacted, my roots are essentially drowning. They require oxygen to function, and constantly wet soil creates an anaerobic environment that causes them to rot. Once my root system is compromised, I cannot support new growth above the soil. Ensure my container has adequate drainage holes and that I am planted in a light, gritty, well-draining soil mix.
You may think I look fine in this spot, but I am a Mediterranean plant. I have evolved to thrive under the full, generous energy of the sun. When I receive insufficient light—less than six hours of direct sun a day—my photosynthetic processes slow down dramatically. I simply cannot produce enough carbohydrates (my food) to invest in growing new stems and leaves. I will focus my limited energy on simply surviving, resulting in stunted, leggy growth as I strain toward any available light source. For me to flourish, I need a prime location where I can bask in direct sunlight for the majority of the day.
While I am not a heavy feeder, I still require a balanced diet. The soil I am in may be depleted of essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, which is crucial for the development of green, leafy growth. However, an excess of fertilizer can be just as damaging. Too much nitrogen can force a rush of weak, soft growth that is susceptible to pests and diseases, and can even chemically burn my roots, halting growth entirely. I prefer a light feeding, perhaps with a diluted, balanced organic fertilizer or a top-dressing of compost, but only during my active growing season in spring and early summer.
Growth is a luxury that I can only afford when my environment is stable and favorable. Several stressors can cause me to divert energy away from growth and into pure survival. Temperature is a major factor; I dislike extremes. A sudden cold snap can shock me, while intense, scorching heat without adequate water can cause me to wilt and shut down. Inconsistent watering is another profound stressor. Periods of severe drought followed by saturation confuse my systems. Furthermore, if other plants are crowding me, they are not just blocking my light but also competing with my root system for water and nutrients, leaving me with nothing.
Finally, check my leaves and stems closely. Pests like spider mites, aphids, or whiteflies are tiny but voracious. They pierce my tissues and suck out the nutrient-rich sap, directly stealing the resources I need to grow. A significant infestation will absolutely stunt my development. Similarly, fungal diseases, often encouraged by damp conditions and poor air circulation, can attack my leaves and stems, blocking my ability to photosynthesize and effectively strangling me from the inside out.
