Our coworker asked us to help her take care of this plant a year or so ago after she received it as a gift. Unfortunately, none of us are having much luck.
Sadly, our coworker passed away atthe beginning of this month, and we would like to keep her plant with us as long as possible since we no longer have her. We know it is a succulent and doesn't like to be overwatered. The pot it's in had decorative rocks glued to the top of the soil, and we have loosened those up and move it away from the air vents to place it directly under an office light. We water it lightly once a week. It used to have two stems growing vertically with the air roots (I think that's what the red stringy roots are called?) and it dropped off. We stuck it in a different plant and are hoping it will root.
We both keep saying we think it needs to be reported and get fresh fast-draining soil, but we are afraid to touch it since it is so delicate and all that's left. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
by a_e_mags1221
3 Comments
Succulents are surprisingly resilient. You definitely need to repot it. The reason it’s growing upward like that is its probably searching for nutrients. Those glued down rocks are just bad news. If I were you, I’d propagate it where it looks healthy and put it in new well draining soil. There are tons of videos on YouTube with tutorials on how to do it. Also, you likely don’t need to water it once a week. In my experience, succulents thrive on semi-neglect. I water mine every 3-4 weeks.
First of all, I just want to say I am so sorry for your loss. It is an incredibly kind thing you’re doing taking care of this little guy.
I would suggest you stop watering him so frequently. Succulents do not need it, they retain water in their leaves. Only water when he is completely completely dry. Second to that please do repot him into something smaller with a quick draining soil, I’ve had success getting succulents to root by chopping them and putting them back into the soil. Lastly, make sure he gets lots of light!
Good luck 💕
Those little hairs growing from the section coming out of the pot are roots, I’d see if you can pop a second pot next to it and allow those roots to grow into lightly moist soil.
In time, you’ll be able to snip the stem and have a healthy new plant.
Decorative glued rocks are a death sentence for plants. Get as many off as you can. It prevents being able to water properly and stops evaporation.
The plant within that pot might perk up after that.
You can grow a new plant from a single leaf too. Carefully knock off a lower leaf, allow it to sit somewhere dry and you’ll get roots grow.
Just be sure to give as much sun as you can as they go leggy in search of light!