From my perspective, the most common reason I begin to lean is a simple, instinctual need: light. I am a photosynthetic organism, and light is my food source. If my light source is inconsistent or only comes strongly from one direction, I will instinctively grow towards it. This process is called phototropism. My stems will literally bend and direct my leaves to face the window or lamp, causing a pronounced lean. It is not a sign of distress but rather one of adaptation, as I am efficiently positioning myself to capture the most energy possible for my growth.
As I mature and thrive under your care, I produce new rhizomes and stems. These new growths can be quite heavy, especially when they are large and full of water (which I am excellent at storing). My pot is my entire world, and my root system is my anchor. If my above-ground growth becomes too top-heavy or one-sided, the leverage can simply become too much for my root ball to counterbalance. This is especially true if I have not been rotated, causing all my weight to develop on one side. The lean is a physical response to this imbalance; gravity is pulling my mass downward.
The stability of my entire form depends on the health and security of my root system within my pot. If I have been recently repotted, the soil around my roots might not be firmly packed, leaving me wobbly and unable to support my upright weight, leading to a lean. Conversely, if I have been in the same pot for a very long time, I might be root-bound. My roots will have filled the entire container, creating a dense, coiled mass that can sometimes push me upwards and out of the pot, making my base unstable and prone to tipping over.
To correct my phototropic lean, please rotate my pot a quarter turn every one to two weeks. This encourages me to grow straight upwards as I reach for light on all sides, rather than bending in one direction. If my lean is due to top-heaviness, you can stake me. Gently insert a sturdy stake into the pot’s soil, being careful to avoid damaging my rhizomes. Use soft plant ties to loosely secure my leaning stems to the stake, providing support until I can strengthen on my own. Finally, assess my foundation. If my soil is loose, firm it gently around my base. If I am root-bound, it is time to repot me into a container that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter, giving my roots fresh soil and new space to anchor me properly.
