Hello! From my perspective, a drooping, yellowing, or "dying" appearance is my only way to communicate a serious problem. I can't tell you exactly what's wrong, so you must be my detective. The most common issues are at my roots. Are they sitting in stagnant, soggy soil, drowning and unable to breathe? This leads to root rot, a silent killer. Or, is the opposite true? Is my soil bone-dry and pulling away from the edges of the pot, leaving my roots parched and desperate for a drink? Please also check my leaves. Are they covered in tiny, sap-sucking pests like aphids or spider mites? They weaken me significantly. Finally, am I getting enough light? I am a sun-loving Mediterranean plant, and insufficient light makes me leggy and weak.
If you've identified overwatering, you must act fast. Stop watering immediately. Gently lift me from my pot and inspect my root system. Healthy roots are white and firm. If they are brown, black, mushy, and smell bad, that's root rot. Using clean, sharp scissors, carefully trim away all the rotted parts. Then, repot me into a clean container with excellent drainage holes, filled with fresh, high-quality potting mix. If I was underwatered, don't just flood me. Place my entire pot (with drainage holes) into a basin of room-temperature water and let me soak for 20-30 minutes, absorbing moisture from the bottom up until the topsoil feels damp. Then, let me drain thoroughly.
My recovery depends on my conditions. I need to be in a very bright spot where I can receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. A south-facing window is ideal. If natural light is insufficient, please consider a grow light to supplement. The temperature is also crucial; I thrive in warm conditions between 70-80°F (21-27°C). Please keep me away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, or heating sources, as extreme temperature fluctuations are very stressful. Good air circulation around my leaves helps prevent fungal diseases and strengthens my stems, but avoid placing me directly in a harsh wind tunnel.
Once I am stable, proper ongoing care will prevent a relapse. Water me deeply, but only when the top inch of soil feels dry to your touch. I much prefer a thorough drink followed by a period of slight dryness over constant, sips of water. When you water, aim for the soil base, not my leaves, to keep them dry and healthy. To encourage bushy, full growth and prevent me from flowering (bolting), which makes my leaves bitter, regularly pinch or snip off the top sets of leaves just above a node. This directs my energy into producing more leaves instead of going to seed. If you repotted me, the fresh soil has nutrients, but after a few weeks, you can feed me monthly with a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer to support my vigorous growth.
