Question
Hi! I got a philodendron plant (with 7-8 leaves) from a friend who grew these in a pot very successfully. I put them in a jar if water so they could root well, after which I could pot them in soil. Unfortunately, the leaves soon after began to get brown, dry tips and margins, along with with some other leaves yellowing completely and falling off. They are in a room where they get plenty of indirect sunlight. I also found that the root was slimy and was becoming black in color. I really want to save this plant, and would appreciate any help I can get!

Answer
Maya,

If this plant was already growing in soil you should not remove it from the soil and put it in water. The kind of roots that a cutting grows in water are not the same as the roots that a plant grows in soil. Roots grown in water are succulent and crisp and frequently turn mushy and slimy when transferred to soil. Roots grown in soil are wiry and when overwatered or kept too wet they easily rot. When that happens leaves turn yellow an fall off.

I reccommend that you put the plant back in a soil mix of potting soil mixed with extra perlite in a small pot with a drain hole and a drain tray under it. The perlite will provide extra oxygen in the soil and make it lighter.  That will help stop the rotting of the roots and hopefully they will grow. Water the soil very lightly and after you water it if there is any water in the drain tray empty it an hour after watering it. Make sure they are located in a bright enough location that they cast a shadow. If they do not it is not bright enough and they will not survive. Good luck.

Darlene