If I could find a way … I’d like to save this pothos that I light starved. I have 2 small grow lights on it now but since it’s fully bald I can see the stem bases are brown. I pinned 2 vines down into the soil, hoping they would root. But wondering if I should just cut the living vines, water propagate them and start
over?
by jengeishadrake
7 Comments
Probably should just cut the living vines, water propagate them and start over.
Certified Plant Killer here: I’ve forgotten to water mine for like a really long time and they looked like this, I gave them a good soak and they bounced back. It looks pretty dry, also when mine get SUPER dried out the soil gets kind of hydrophobic so I fill the sink and let it soak soak for a while then let it drain.
That’s a toss up. I would probably try curling all the vines back around the main pot and pin them down for a bit longer before a chop and prop or chop and prop some while still give the others a chance. I might would check the roots and rootball size too. It looks a lil big for that pot. And may have root rot since leaves are curling and droopy combined with the brown stems. I’m wondering if it’s dying underneath and not able to suck up water to the stems. Also, it’s a Philodendron Brazil, not a Pothos in case you want to research them more.
My brazil is pretty dramatic, it’s tough for a while, then suddenly acts like it’s dying like yours. Then i water it, then it’s happy for a while… and such is our relationship.
This might be a dumb question but I’m new to all this plant stuff. Will new leaves ever grow on the leggy vines?
Not an expert, but I have a few of this exact philodendron, and one of them is by a window with minimal (insufficient) light; it’s not thriving or growing much, but it doesn’t stretch or die. The wrinkly curling leaves on yours suggest to me it might be thirsty. I suspect your pot might be too big for the existing root system, and it’s difficult for it get enough water. I have the same amount of leaves as your photo but the pot is a quarter of the size.
Personally I would chop and prop, because I’m more confident with water props, and I know I would have a higher chance of bringing it back to life. You could always split the difference? Water prop a few leaves and leave a couple of stems and roots in this pot and soil, and see if they recuperate.
fyi that is a r/philodendron
mine gets dramatic like that. last time it was that bad i chopped and propped and got about a dozen rooted cutting while the mother plant bounced back quickly