Why are my plant buds dying?

November 27, 2019 4:57 PM

Two of my plants sprouted new leaves... and as soon as they started unfurling I realized they were already dying. Help?

The plants weren't labeled when I got them, so I'm not 100% sure what type they are. I think one is a monstera and the other is a dieffenbachia? Why would the plants grow new leaves, only for them to start rotting right as they're about to unfurl? I water them twice a week and have a plant lamp near (but not directly on) them for a few hours after the sun sets every day. They're also near a north-facing window (I'm in the northern hemisphere) and they're near a steam heater if that makes a difference. I don't have much experience with plants, so all input appreciated! Thanks!

posted by Penguin48 to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

Could have gotten scorched by the lamp or the sun. Could have been temperature. The rest of the plant on both of them look nice and healthy. I'd just prune out the bad part and carry on. They're nice and big, keep doing what you're doing.
posted by humboldt32 at 5:17 PM on November 27, 2019

I'd love to know what caused it as well! This has happened a couple times to my monstera of similar size and it is otherwise healthy and happy; I agree that you should just keeping on doing what you're doing. This is an uneducated guess, but I always assumed sometimes sprouts just don't do well given any number of factors. Even with some failed sprouts other new growth after that doesn't necessarily do poorly.
posted by furnace.heart at 6:19 PM on November 27, 2019

Best answer: That’s not light or heat burn, that would show up on other parts too. It looks like moderate overwatering to me.

But I agree they are fine, as long as you don’t swamp the roots. Do everything the same except water once a week. The Monstera especially can go a month or more without water when inside during winter months.

When they aren’t actively growing (eg a tropical houseplant indoors in the temperate winter), plants do very little respiration and need very little water.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:01 PM on November 27, 2019 [2 favorites]

My indoors plants do best with plunge-and-drain watering - soak them in a sink or bucket for a minute or so, then let them drain freely until they aren’t dripping at all. Roots generally need constant access to air channels as well as water.
posted by clew at 9:10 AM on November 28, 2019