From my perspective as a plant, light is my primary source of energy. I use it for photosynthesis to create the food I need to sustain all my functions, including maintaining my vibrant leaves. If I am placed in a location that is too dark, my internal systems begin to falter. I cannot produce enough energy to support all of my foliage. As a survival mechanism, I must prioritize my resources. The lower and older leaves are the least efficient, so I will begin to withdraw nutrients from them, causing them to turn yellow and eventually drop off. This is my way of conserving energy for my core structure in the hope that conditions will improve.
My roots are crucial; they are how I drink and breathe. The balance is very delicate. If you give me too much water, the soil becomes saturated, pushing out all the oxygen. My roots suffocate and begin to rot in the stagnant, waterlogged environment. Once root rot sets in, my entire vascular system is compromised. I can no longer effectively transport water and nutrients to my stems and leaves. The result is a systemic failure where my leaves yellow, wilt, and fall off, even though the soil is wet. Conversely, if I am allowed to become completely dry, I become severely dehydrated. Without water, I cannot transport nutrients or maintain turgor pressure (the stiffness in my leaves and stems). My leaves will yellow, crisp up, and drop as a desperate attempt to reduce water loss through transpiration.
I am a sensitive organism, and sudden changes in my environment are incredibly stressful. If you brought me home from a store, I experienced a significant shift in temperature, light, and humidity. This is a shock to my system. Furthermore, I am highly susceptible to drafts, both cold and hot. A chilly draft from a window or a blast of dry heat from a vent can cause severe stress. This temperature stress damages my cells and disrupts my metabolic processes. My response is often to shed leaves that are no longer functioning efficiently or that are being damaged by the harsh conditions. It is a protective measure to help me survive the abrupt change.
It is important to understand my natural rhythm. In the wild, the colorful parts you admire are not flowers but specialized leaves called bracts. They change color in response to specific day lengths. After my display period, it is natural for me to enter a resting phase. As the days grow longer after the winter solstice, I receive the signal that my showy season is over. I will naturally begin to withdraw energy from my bracts and older leaves. They will yellow and drop as I prepare for a period of dormancy. This is not a sign of illness but a normal part of my annual cycle where I conserve energy to regrow when conditions are optimal again.
