Question
QUESTION: I have some Umbrella plants (Schefflera arboricol) and Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) in two crested gecko tanks and for some reason they are wilting (the plants, not the geckos! =P  ), and the leaves are slowly turning yellow. Each tank has a 20 watt 6500k daylight CFL which is left on for 10-12 hours a day, plus the tanks are misted once a day. I occasionally water the plants themselves. The tanks have been planted for about a week.

The pothos in the tanks do get some direct light, but they are also partly in shadow. Most of the Umbrella plants are in direct light, though lower branches/leaf bunches are in some shade.

Why are my plants wilting and dying? Could I be over-watering? The tanks must be misted once a day for the geckos' health, but should I skip watering the plants directly? Is there too much/little light?

ANSWER: Hi Heather,what type and amount of soil are the roots afforded? and what is the ambient heat inside these tanks?.. Nick

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QUESTION: The soil is Miracle Grow Organic mixed with some sphagnum moss and eco-earth (coconut fiber) mixed in. It's about 2.5in deep, on top of about an inch or so of ZooMed Hygroballs (expanded clay substrate, helps to prevent main substrate from becoming a soggy mess), with window screen in between to keep the layers from mixing. Ambient temperature during the day is 70-75, usually drops to 66-68 at night.

Answer
I have to tell you Heather, that is not a lot of room for root spread, especially for the plants you mentioned, and therein I feel, lies your problem; the ambient temperature is fine, but these plants need ample room for their roots to spread for proper nutrient uptake. Nick