From our perspective, root rot is one of the most devastating conditions we face. It begins not with a visible attack on our leaves, but as a suffocating, waterlogged environment around our roots. When we are overwatered or planted in a pot without proper drainage, the air pockets in the soil are flooded. Our roots, which need oxygen to function, literally drown and begin to decay. This decay is often accelerated by fungi like Pythium or Phytophthora that thrive in these soggy conditions. You might notice our leaves turning a sickly yellow, becoming soft and mushy, and dropping prematurely. The entire plant may wilt, even though the soil is wet. To fix this, you must act as our surgeon. Remove us from the pot and gently wash the soil from our roots. With sterile shears, cut away all brown, black, and slimy roots—only healthy, firm white roots should remain. Repot us into fresh, well-draining soil and a clean pot with adequate drainage holes. Most importantly, adjust your watering habits; we prefer to dry out slightly between drinks.
Our broad, lush leaves are unfortunately a tempting target for several pests that view us as a mobile buffet. Spider mites are tiny arachnids that weave fine webs, especially on the undersides of our leaves, and suck out our cellular contents, causing a stippled, yellow appearance. Scale insects appear as small, brown, bump-like growths on our stems and leaf veins, firmly attached and draining our sap. Mealybugs look like tiny bits of white cotton and cluster in leaf axils, similarly weakening us by feeding. These pests not only drain our energy but can also introduce diseases. To help us, first isolate the affected plant to prevent the pests from spreading. For spider mites, a strong spray of water can dislodge many of them. For all these pests, wiping our leaves with a solution of water and a little mild soap can be effective. For severe infestations, horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, applied thoroughly to all leaf surfaces (especially underneath), will suffocate the pests without causing us undue harm. Regular inspection of our leaves is the best prevention.
When our leaves develop unsightly spots, it is often a sign of a fungal or bacterial infection. Alternaria leaf spot, for example, presents as brown or black spots with a yellow halo. These pathogens love moisture and often spread through splashing water or poor air circulation. The spots are areas of dead tissue where the pathogen has killed our cells. If left unchecked, the spots can enlarge and merge, causing entire leaves to yellow and drop, significantly reducing our ability to photosynthesize. To manage this, promptly remove and dispose of any severely affected leaves. Avoid watering us from above, which splashes spores onto healthy foliage; instead, water at the soil level. Ensure we have good air circulation around us. In persistent cases, a fungicide labeled for ornamental plants may be necessary. Keeping our leaves dry and improving airflow around our canopy creates an environment where these spotting diseases struggle to establish themselves.
Many issues you perceive as disease are actually symptoms of environmental stress. We are tropical plants and have specific needs. If our leaves develop brown, crispy tips and edges, it is often a cry for help regarding low humidity or inconsistent watering (either too much or too long periods of dryness). Sudden leaf drop is frequently a reaction to a drastic change in our environment, such as a move to a much darker or brighter location, or a significant draft from a heater or air conditioner. While we can adapt to various light levels, prolonged exposure to intense, direct sunlight can scorch our leaves, leaving bleached or brown patches. The fix for these issues is to stabilize our world. Place us in a spot with bright, indirect light, protect us from drafts, and maintain a consistent watering schedule that allows the top inch of soil to dry out. Increasing humidity around us with a pebble tray or humidifier can prevent our leaf tips from browning.
