Question
I have a tall New Zealand Laurel indoors in front of a south-facing window. I
live in Portland Oregon, so only in summer are there many hours of bright
sunlight. The plant is getting brown tips on many leaves. Eventually they
yellow and fall off. I water once a week. A month ago I added an inch of
gravel under the pot (enclosed in an outer container) to be sure the plant is
not sitting in water. It is too heavy to lift to empty the saucer. I have used
Osmocote fertilizer three times over the 15 months I have owned the plant.
How can I stop the tip browning and loss of leaves?

Answer
Ellie,

I live in northern Indiana so I am not experienced with this tree however in looking it up I find that where you live it should be hardy outdoors year around. It will survive down to 15 degrees. The brown leaf tips are either caused by too much or too little water. The plant likes to stay moist but not wet. I reccommend that you get a moisture meter if you keep the plant indoors. Insert the moisture meter into the soil about 1/2 way into the soil in the pot. Do not water if it says wet but if it says dry on the surface and at half way down it is time to water, it will still have moisture lower into the pot. It could dry out in 4 days or it may take 3 weeks, it depends on the quality of the soil the plant is in. The Osmocote is fine and is not part of the problem. Write again if you have more questions. Good luck.

Darlene