Question
Hello Will,

I will try to keep this as concise as possible, as I started off with a question about my rubber plant, but figured I'd ask you about 3 other plants I have, too.  I'd really like them to live long & happy lives.

First and foremost, my rubber plant seems to be doing poorly - it has been losing leaves everyday for the past week or so.  I try to remember to water it about twice a week, and I recently moved it in front of a window that gets indirect sunlight (it was in a room with no windows, sitting on a desk orginally).  I live on the ground floor of a brownstone in brooklyn, so direct sunlight is available only in the back room, and indirect in the front room.  When I bought the plant in May, the lady told me it would need re-potting 'in a few months' - there are 2 tall stalks and 1 short stalk in a 7" diameter pot.  Despite leaves falling off left and right, there are two new leaves at the top of one stalk.  What should I do for this poor plant?

Next, I have a California jade.  I had it on a sunny windowsill, but noticed it was looking shriveled, so i gave it water and took it off the sill.  does jade really need direct sunlight all the time, and how often should i water it?  I've also had problems in the past with healthy looking leaves falling off at the slightest touch, is this normal?

Next, my tiny aloe plant.  Last summer, I trimmed a piece off my grandmother's huge aloe plant in Michigan, and flew it back to New York wrapped in a wet paper towel.  I then potted it in a small pot, and it seemed to take, but it hasn't grown at all.  Its leaves are also curled in, but green.  Does aloe grow really slowly, or should I be doing something else for it?  I've tried it on the window sill w/ direct light, and away from direct light.

And finally, my Philodendron.  This plant seems to be in good shape - gets indirect sunlight, I water it weekly, I re-potted it last summer, and it gets new shoots quite frequently.  Any general tips on keeping this one in good health?

Also, how often should I use fertilizer on my plants?

Thanks in advance for your time.

Cheers,
Katie

Answer
Hi Katie,

Your rubber plant needs more light. Bright indirect is the minimum and several hours or more of direct is preferred. Your plant has reacted to the inadequate light by sacrificing its older leaves in the hope that there will be enough light to support the new leaves. Do not repot it and don't fertilize it. Be sure to let the top third of the soil dry out in between thorough waterings. Struggling plants do not use much water so be careful not to water too frequently.

Jades do best in direct sunlight for most of the day although they can survive on a north windowsill. Jades should get quite dry in between thorough waterings, but not bone dry like a Cactus. If the leaves start to wilt, then you may have waited a bit too long. Changes in location (light) and watering can cause healthy leaves to drop off. Jades also go through growth spurts during which they drop older leaves and add lots of new ones at the ends of stems and branches.

Aloes also do best in direct indoor sunlight. They tend to grow very slowly until their roots pretty much fill the pot. Thus, if you put your tiny Aloe in a pot larger than 3 inches, then it will take a long time for it to grow above the soil. It should be watered like you do the Jade.

Sounds like you are on the right track with your Philodendron. Indirect light is best; direct sun will bleach or burn the leaves. Be careful not to overwater. The root systems are small and it is best to keep Philodendrons quite potbound.

Fertilizer is overrated. It is intended only for healthy plants that have been in the same soil for several years and need to have the nutrients replenished. In that situation, use it at half-strength monthly from May through August. Try to find a fertilizer that includes micro or trace elements listed in the fine print. The macro elements should be in a 3-1-2 or 1-1-1 ratio. All of this may be more than you need to know because most plants do just fine without any fertilizer. If you really want all the particulars, send me an e-mail request for my article on fertilizing indoor plants. My address is below.

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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