My moms had this plant for a few years it was gifted and neither of us really were caring well for it, it started getting worse in July and I didn’t know what to do kept asking her to deal with it but now it’s October and ive given an ultimatum that if I can’t save it then we toss the plant but she doesnt want to since my grandma gifted it. The soil is white fuzzy the leaves wilt and fall and branches of it are starting to shrivel up. Give it to me straight
* watering habits she waters it twice a week, i have no idea about drainage
* we have the plant facing the window from afar and the blinds are usually closed for privacy reasons, not getting the best sunlight
by Inner-Flow5999
5 Comments
You can still *try* to save it. I think it’s in rough shape, but not completely hopeless yet. From what you’ve described (white fuzzy soil, wilted leaves, shriveled stems, watered twice a week, and low light), it’s dealing with overwatering + poor light, and the white fuzz is fungal growth from constantly damp soil. The roots are probably starting to rot.
Here’s what I’d do:
1. Repot it immediately.
* Take it out of the pot and throw out the old soil. It’s full of fungus.
* Check the roots and trim away any brown, soft, or smelly parts.
* Repot in fresh, well-draining soil (look for mixes with perlite or bark).
* Make sure the new pot has a drainage hole!
2. Move it into bright, indirect light. Right now it’s seems not to be getting nearly enough. Put it close to a bright window where it gets gentle sun.
3. Change your watering routine. Only water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are completely dry. Then water thoroughly and let it drain fully. No water sitting in the saucer.
4. Cut back dead growth. Snip off any dry or shriveled stems so the plant can focus on the parts that still have life.
5. Optional: If you find any healthy green stems, you can try taking cuttings to propagate in water or fresh soil, just in case the main plant doesn’t recover.
It’s been overwatered and light-starved for a while, so recovery will be slow, but with fresh soil, bright light, and careful watering, you might be able to bring it back. Good luck!
I’d try to identify it so you can look up care requirements.
That said, if it were mine, I’d first find a place _in_ a window so it could get more light. Then, depending on the species (I don’t even have a guess for you, sorry!) I’d probably prune off any dead branches and prune back about 2/3 of the leggy branches. Then I’d repot it in fresh, well-draining soil. And I wouldn’t water until the top 2” (you can stick your finger in to check) is dry.
If it were mine, I would cut it down to a nub, plant in new, well draining soil, and put it in a sunnier spot or under a grow light. Try to water it less. If you use the same pot give it a soapy scrub before re using in case there are pests. It’s not dead so I say yes, you can salvage it!
Could this possibly be a variegated ficus (compacta or benjamina)?
https://preview.redd.it/0993ym0dfavf1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33b57d6b0a9a724a33cb977884cfb94cb035a0ae
After a little digging, I think that the plant could be a euphorbia tithymaloides variegata, aka the devils backbone plant. I asked a certified plant professional and they thought it looked like that, as well.
As for care, I agree with the other comments suggesting that you chop the plant and help it grow new, healthy stems. It would also be best to repot into a potentially smaller pot, considering there will likely be root loss, and you want to make sure your pot is roughly 2” larger than the root ball. The perlite mixture you mentioned in another comment should be great, and you could also get a root stimulator to help your plant recover once repotted. Once you’ve chopped and repotted your plant, water it thoroughly and place it in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight. With its waxier leaves, you can go longer in between waterings. My best estimate is that you would be watering every 2-3 weeks depending on the environment it’s in, but always feel the soil with your fingers or feel the weight of the pot to check for moisture.
I think it definitely has potential to make a good come back. Good luck!