Question
My grandma gave me this plant a very long time ago, it has long stems that can grow to the floor, leaves are like green w/ purple kinda like a heart. I've transferred the plant once before & I was worried about it when I moved, 3 yrs. later its on my stand full & beautiful again. I noticed like root coming up @ the top & the long stems although living were being stems were pinched together in the middle.. I decided to give the plant more room & put it in a bigger pot. This didnt go well @ all! I think I made 4 attempts in & out of the new pot wondering if I were putting it deep enough etc. bc of that little bit of root @ the top out. This is a disaster! The roots came apart & I have like NO plant now. I just put the individual roots w/ stems & leafs into the dirt. The plant now has these stems coming out w/ backwards leafs facing the pot & wilted really bad! The pot has holes, however no water came out. I put a bunch of stems in a vase of water.... Idk I've been crying over this plant for hours. My grandma said it will come back but if she seen how pitiful it looks idk. I think most of the leaves have been barried bc there all gone & all the tangled long stems are no more! Please help me if you know what I should do. This plant means more to me than any other. Its been through alot & I've always saved it...this time I'm scared. Thanks :)

Answer
Hi Candace,

For me to identify your plant and help you with it, you would have to post a photo of your plant here or email a photo directly to me at [email protected].

However, based on what you have reported, the roots have probably rotted and the plant is unlikely to recover if it has no healthy roots. Repotting and giving plants "more room" is almost never necessary and almost always leads to problems such as yours. At this point most of the damage is done and I have to honestly tell you that there is probably nothing that can be done other than taking some healthy tip cuttings and rooting them in plain water.

I have written articles on repotting that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who emails a request to me at [email protected]. I have also written an indoor plant care book in a PDF format that I can sell you if you contact me at my email address.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com