Plectranthus Family Care Instructions

Pelargonium Common Symptoms

• Yellowing leaves: often caused by overwatering or poor drainage, leading to root rot. Ensure the plant is in well-draining soil and adjust watering habits. Be sure to check that your Plectranthus is not standing in water.
• Leaf Drop: Typically a result of sudden temperature changes, drought stress, or low humidity. Keep the plant in a stable environment with consistent moisture and avoid allowing it to stay dry for long periods of time. Once you note wilting, check in on watering. For more about how to water Checkout: Watering Houseplants 101
• Wilting: Even when the soil is wet, wilting can indicate root rot or fungal infections. Check the soil and, if overly wet, reduce the watering frequency if necessary. If very dry, be sure to soak until the potting soil is well saturated.
• Leggy Growth: Insufficient light causes the plant to become spindly and elongated. Move it to a brighter location with indirect sunlight, and prune back to encourage bushy growth.
• Brown Leaf Edges: Underwatering or low humidity are common causes of this issue. To increase humidity and prevent dehydration, place the plant on a pebble tray filled with water, or consider relocating it to a more humid area like your bathroom. For more about plant care, read: Beginners Guide to Plant Care.
• Stunted Growth: Nutrient deficiencies can slow down growth. Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser every few weeks during the growing season of spring through summer.
• Powdery Mildew: A fungal infection that appears as a white powder on the leaves, often caused by poor air circulation and high humidity. Improve ventilation. Treat by trimming back the most infected foliage and spraying with a fungicide if needed.
• Pests: Common pests include aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies, which can cause leaf discolouration, wilting, and stunted growth. Regularly inspect the plant and treat infestations with a pesticide or neem oil. Check in on any environmental factors that may be stressing your plant and causing it to be susceptible to pests.

Pelargonium Care Instructions

• Origin: South Africa
• Height: can have a spread/length of anywhere between 0.5 and 2 m. Can be planted enmasse to create a fuller, larger plant.
• Light: Appreciate bright indirect light for best results. Will tolerate lower light but may become sparse.
• Water: Avoid overly wet potting soil and aim for allowing the soil to dry out between each watering for best results, make sure to water immediately once dry to avoid other issues such as wilting and crisp foliage.
• Humidity: Prefers average to medium room humidity
• Temperature: Plectranthus prefer warm environments between 18°C and 21°C.
• Soil: A very well-draining organic potting soil.
• Fertiliser: Fertilise every two weeks from spring to autumn with a balanced liquid fertiliser.
• Pruning: Plectranthus likes regular pruning during early spring. Remove any damaged or dying stems and thin out any overcrowding. When pruning, cut stems at a 45 degree angle just above a node for best results. Regular pruning will keep your plant looking lush and happy.
• Repotting: Repotting Plectranthus is essential to keep them healthy and thriving. Repot in spring or early summer when roots outgrow their planter, showing signs like root circling or poor drainage. Choose a slightly larger pot (around 3-5 cm bigger) with good drainage holes, and use fresh, well-draining potting mix. Gently loosen the roots, place the plant in the new pot, and water thoroughly. This refreshes nutrients and encourages robust growth and blooming.
• Propagation: Propagating Plectranthus is usually done with stem cuttings and is best performed during spring; however, they will root anytime of the year. Cuttings should be 8–14 cm long, with at least two leaf nodes. Use clean, sharp scissors or a knife to make a clean cut just below a node. To increase the likelihood of a successful rooting, remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone designed for semi-hardwood cuttings. Insert the cutting into a mixture of slightly dampened potting soil and perlite that drains well, making sure to keep the upper leaves above ground. Place in bright, indirect light, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and avoid direct sunlight or cold drafts. Place the cutting in a mini-greenhouse or cover it with a transparent plastic bag to retain moisture; use a heating pad to keep the temperature above 18°C. Once roots establish and new growth appears, usually within four to six weeks, transfer the cutting into its own pot with fresh soil. Continue to care for it like the parent plant, and in no time you should have a lovely full Plectranthus plant.

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