Question
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As you may be able to tell, I'm a new plant owner. When you say prune the stem, do you mean actually cut it off. Please be more specific. And someone else told me that I may have ruined my plants. I reppoted several. One was a peace lilly that had out grown it's pot. Will all of my plants die now because of the lack of sun exposure do to spring?
Followup To
Question -
I have an oyster plant that is leaning. I suspect that it just got too big for its pot and the stem grew out without the leafage on the bottom part. I repotted the plant in a larger container and am curious to know if it will straighten itself and began to grow leaves down the intire stem.
Answer -
Hi Tameko,

It is a common misperception that repotting a leaning plant will solve the problem. In fact, repotting often causes other problems.

Your oyster plant (Rhoeo spathacea) has lost some of its lower leaves due to less than ideal light or improper watering or just plain natural aging. The more light a plant receives, the more leaves it can support. In less than optimal light, it will shed some older (lower) leaves so that new leaves can continue to grow at the end of the stem. Note: New growth is always at the growing point at the end of the stem, never along the stem. This is how many plants eventually become "leggy looking."

Repotting has no affect on this. However, repotting does add soil to the roots. This excess soil retains moisture for a longer period of time and can lead to root rot if your watering frequency is not reduced accordingly. In addition, plants grow better when they are moderately rootbound.

The way to PREVENT bare stemmed plants is to provide more light. The oyster plant should be located in your sunniest window because it realy requires several hours or more of direct sunlight every day.

The way to CORRECT a bare, leaning stem is to prune it. If you prune the leggy stem back to within an inch or two of the soil, then new growth will emerge just below the point of the pruning cut or very close to the soil. This will keep the plant more compact. The pruned off portion can be rooted in water or moist soil.

A final note about leaning stems. Plants tend to grow in the direct of the light. Outside, that tends to be up. Inside, that tends to be to the side in the direction of the window. After a while the plant will start to lean toward the light. To keep the plant from leaning you should rotate the pot on its axis a quarter turn each time you water. That way the plant will get light on all sides.

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

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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Answer
Hi Tameko,

Yes, by pruning I mean cut the stem off completely using sharp scisors or pruners. One sharp cut is all that is required.

Unnecessary repotting is the single most common cause of plant failure. Contrary to popular belief, plants do best when their roots are quite crowded. I can't get into all of the specifics of repotting in this space. However, it is best to repot ONLY if your plant requires a thorough watering every two days or less to keep properly moist.

The growth rate of indoor (tropical) plants often slows in the winter because the hours of daylight are reduced. But they do not die. Be sure to let the soil become a bit drier during the cooler months and also do not fertilize until spring.

Will Creed