What to Do When Sweet Alyssum Leaves Dry Out? Four Tips to Prevent Dry, Scorched Leaves
In many gardeners' minds, sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a plant valued mainly for its flowers, but its leaves actually have ornamental appeal too, and they can also reveal whether the plant is growing normally. If the leaves turn yellow and dry, it may indicate poor growth. What should you do when sweet alyssum leaves dry out? Let's look at the causes and solutions.
What to Do When Sweet Alyssum Leaves Dry Out
1. Dehydration
When sweet alyssum leaves lack water, they dry out. The main causes of this water shortage are watering too little or using the wrong watering method, which causes the lower leaves to age first, and then the leaves dry out from the bottom up. For example, this happens if you often skip watering.
Solution: Water a small amount first and mist the plant with some water to let it slowly return to normal growth. Then water flexibly according to the soil conditions to avoid the soil drying out for too long again.
2. Improper Fertilization
Some gardeners spray or pour liquid fertilizer directly onto the leaves when fertilizing. Since plants mainly absorb nutrients through their roots, doing this burns the leaves and causes fertilizer damage, leading to the leaves drying out and turning yellow.
Solution: What should you do when sweet alyssum leaves dry out due to fertilization problems? You need to use the correct fertilizing technique. It is best to dissolve the fertilizer in water and then pour it in from the edge of the pot in a certain ratio. Do not spray liquid fertilizer directly on the leaf surface, and do not apply it directly at the roots.
3. Prolonged High Temperatures
Many plants are quite sensitive to heat, and sweet alyssum is one of them. When the temperature exceeds 30°C, its growth suffers. If you place it in a continuously hot environment, the tips and edges of its leaves will quickly dry out and scorch, because high temperatures make it hard for the leaves to retain water.
Solution: In sweet alyssum cultivation, temperature control is something every gardener needs to understand. Its suitable growing temperature is 15-25°C, so try to keep the temperature within this range when growing it. If the temperature is relatively high, move it to a cooler spot.
4. Sun Scorch
Growing sweet alyssum requires plenty of sunlight, but when the temperature is high, you need to shade it from more than 50% of the sunlight to avoid overly intense light. Otherwise, the leaves are easily scorched, and one of the specific symptoms is that the leaves dry out, which is very damaging to sweet alyssum.
Solution: In late spring and summer, once the temperature rises above 30°C, move sweet alyssum to a shady place or build a shade canopy for it to prevent strong sunlight from baking its leaves for too long. At other times, you can place it in the sun.
38 Must-Grow Flowers for the Home, Bringing Wealth and Prosperity!
38 Must-Grow Flowers for the Home, Bringing Wealth and Prosperity!
Gardeners often ask me: "Huahua, what plants are suitable for growing indoors?" There are so many! I probably couldn't cover them all in a day and a night. Today, Huahua has picked out 33 as a reference, covering wealth-bringing plants, auspicious plants, foliage plants, flowering plants, and climbing vines, all in one go!
Wealth-Bringing and Auspicious Flowers
1. Copper Coin Grass (Hydrocotyle vulgaris)
Its small, round leaves look just like copper coins. Many households grow it, as it symbolizes abundant wealth.
Care Methods:
1. Partial sun or a shaded spot is best; avoid direct strong sunlight. Ideally, give it 4-6 hours of scattered light each day.
2. Copper coin grass loves water. During the growing season, water it once a day with 2-3 large waterings to keep the potting soil moist.
3. In a half-soil, half-water environment, copper coin grass grows stronger and its leaves become larger.
2. Bromeliad (Guzmania)
The most striking feature of the bromeliad is the bright red flower core in the center. It symbolizes good fortune and rising luck, and growing it at home can bring good luck.
Care Methods
1. Bromeliads like scattered light. When the light is too strong, the leaves are prone to sunburn, but when it is too weak, growth suffers.
2. Bromeliads like a humid environment. When watering, it is best to use clean water that has been left to sit for 2-3 days, and water moderately to keep the potting soil moist.
3. Anthurium
Anthurium has unique flowers with brilliant, gorgeous colors. It is a precious flower worldwide, symbolizing prosperity and abundant wealth. Growing a pot at home can attract wealth!
Care Methods
1. Anthurium likes a warm, humid, semi-shaded environment and avoids direct sunlight.
2. When watering anthurium, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. During its blooming period, do not water too much. In hot summer weather, mist the leaves every morning.
3. You can choose liquid fertilizer specially made for anthurium from the flower market and fertilize once every 5-10 days. Fertilizing can be done together with watering. The best time to fertilize is in the morning or evening.
4. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky bamboo symbolizes blooming wealth, bamboo bringing peace, great fortune, and a life of prosperity. That is where its name comes from. The beauty of lucky bamboo is inseparable from its auspicious name.
Care Methods
1. Lucky bamboo is not strict about light and grows well in bright, scattered light. Too much light or exposure to the sun can cause the leaves to turn yellow, lose their green color, and grow slowly.
2. Lucky bamboo grows well in well-drained sandy soil or semi-sandy and alluvial clay soil.
5. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
The money tree symbolizes bringing in wealth and treasure. Its original name is Malabar chestnut, and it is probably the best-selling flower and tree in the Chinese market.
Care Tips:
1. The money tree likes high temperatures and a semi-shaded environment, and it is strongly drought-tolerant and shade-tolerant.
2. It likes fertile, well-drained sandy loam.
3. The suitable growing temperature is 20-30°C. It can still grow below 10°C, but below 5°C it is easily damaged, with mild cases causing leaf drop and severe cases causing plant death.
6. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant symbolizes bringing in wealth and treasure, and glory and prosperity.
Care Tips:
1. It likes a warm, hot, slightly dry, semi-shaded environment with small annual temperature fluctuations, and avoids strong sunlight and exposure.
2. It grows well at 20°C to 32°C. During the growing season, water according to the principle: "Do not water until dry; when you water, water thoroughly."
7. Radermachera (Radermachera sinica)
Because of its especially auspicious name, Radermachera is deeply loved for homes and office environments.
Care Tips:
1. Radermachera is not strict about light and can grow in both full sun and semi-shaded environments.
2. Radermachera likes moist soil and air. When growing it at home indoors, besides keeping the potting soil moist, you should also mist the leaves regularly.
8. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The peace lily has emerald green leaves and pure white flowers, and it can filter benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air, making it very suitable for growing indoors at home.
Care Methods
1. The peace lily does not have a strong demand for sunlight; indoor scattered light is enough to meet its growth needs.
2. During peace lily care, keep the potting soil moist. In summer and dry seasons, sprinkle water on the leaves and surrounding ground more often to maintain humidity.
3. For soil-grown peace lilies, mix sand or perlite into the soil to ensure it is loose and airy. For water-grown peace lilies, change the water often to keep it clean.
Foliage Plants
1. Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
The fiddle-leaf fig is tall and elegant. At a glance it looks lush and full of life. Place it in a corner of the living room and it instantly raises the room's style.
Care Methods
1. It adapts well to light and can grow well even under indoor scattered light.
2. It has a relatively high water demand, but there must be no water accumulation in the pot. Too much or too little water will cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop.
3. To control the shape of the fiddle-leaf fig, pinch the top when it grows too tall to encourage side branches to sprout. Do not throw away the cut branches; use them for cuttings to propagate.
2Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The snake plant can be called the "pollution-control expert" of the home. One pot of snake plant can absorb more than 80% of various harmful gases in a room of about 10 sq m.
Care Methods
1. The snake plant likes sunlight and is somewhat shade-tolerant. It is best to place it in a spot with relatively good light, such as a south-facing windowsill or balcony.
2. The snake plant likes loose, airy soil. You can mix leaf mold soil, garden soil, and sand in a 2:1:1 ratio for planting.
3. The snake plant can be propagated by division, or you can remove the leaves, cut them into sections, and propagate by leaf cuttings. Use sandy soil for leaf cuttings, and be careful to disinfect properly.
3. Dragon Bone Cactus (Euphorbia lactea, Brazilian dragon bone)
The dragon bone cactus is known as the "universal rootstock" and can be grafted with crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii) and Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera), making it quite versatile. It also absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, helping purify indoor air.
Care Methods
1. The dragon bone cactus is relatively low-maintenance and can grow in ordinary environments, but it is still best to place it somewhere at home with more light.
2. The dragon bone cactus is not strict about soil. Ordinary garden soil or leaf mold soil mixed with sand is enough for planting. If conditions allow, put some organic fertilizer in the pot.
3. Note that the white sap in the stems of the dragon bone cactus is somewhat toxic and must not enter the mouth or eyes. If there are elderly people or children at home, place it carefully to avoid puncture wounds. Of course, as long as you do not break it, the white sap will not flow out.
4. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
The Boston fern has feather-like fronds, swaying green and gracefully beautiful. When the fronds grow lush, they hang down, so it can be placed on a cabinet or hung up.
Care Methods
1. The Boston fern is shade-tolerant. Generally place it in a spot with bright indoor scattered light for care, and do not expose it to direct strong light.
2. Water the Boston fern according to the principle of keeping it moist; it should be neither too dry nor waterlogged. In summer, mist the fronds often to keep them humid.
3. For Boston fern planting soil, you can mix leaf mold soil, garden soil, and river sand in a 1:1:1 ratio. If conditions allow, apply organic fertilizer.
5. Aloe
Growing an aloe at home purifies the air and protects against radiation, and it can also moisturize and beautify the skin. It is very practical.
Care Methods
1. Aloe likes light and tolerates partial shade. It is suitable for a south-facing windowsill or a spot with relatively good light, and it should avoid excessive shade.
2. Aloe is a succulent and is very drought-tolerant, so do not water too frequently. Follow the principle: "Do not water until dry; when you water, water thoroughly."
3. Aloe is not strict about soil; well-drained garden soil is fine. Aloe grows quickly, so you can repot it after 1-2 years.
6. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
Chinese evergreen has broad, glossy leaves that stay green all year round and is especially shade-tolerant. It also helps purify the air and is very effective at purifying indoor formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
Care Methods
1. It fears direct sunlight and can be grown in a shaded spot for a long time. Brief exposure to the sun will make the leaf surface turn white and then yellow and withered.
2. During the growing season, it needs plenty of water. In midsummer, mist the leaves morning and evening every day. In winter, stem and leaf growth slows, so water should be controlled and the potting soil should not be too wet.
3. From May to October, during the vigorous stem and leaf growth period, fertilize Chinese evergreen once every half month. If the leaves turn yellow after it is moved indoors in winter, apply one extra diluted nitrogen fertilizer.
7. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)
Monstera has the ability to absorb harmful gases such as formaldehyde and benzene, and its leaf shape is unique and emerald green, making it a very famous indoor foliage plant.
Care Methods
1. Monstera is a semi-shade plant that likes a warm, humid environment and fears direct sunlight. Just place it in a spot indoors with scattered light and good ventilation for care.
2. Monstera loves water and needs the soil kept moist often. You also need to spray water on the leaves and ground to maintain humidity.
3. Monstera likes acidic soil rich in humus and well-drained. From April to September, you can apply liquid fertilizer.
8. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus setaceus)
The asparagus fern's branches and leaves spread out flat, like layered thin clouds, and its stems are like bamboo, so it is also called cloud bamboo. It has a very Zen feel.
Care Methods:
1. The asparagus fern is a shade-loving plant and grows well under scattered light.
2. The asparagus fern likes moisture but fears waterlogging. Keep the potting soil alternating between dry and wet; generally, just water enough to moisten the surface soil.
9. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The spider plant can remove harmful substances from the air and purify it, making it one of the most common plants in homes.
Care Methods:
1. The spider plant likes a semi-shaded environment. In spring and autumn, avoid direct strong sunlight, otherwise the leaf tips will dry out.
2. The spider plant likes a humid environment. Keep the potting soil moist often, and water generously in summer. Around noon and in the evening, spray water on the branches and leaves to prevent them from drying out.
3. Spider plants can be propagated by cuttings, division, and sowing. Cutting and division propagation can be done anytime from spring to autumn.
10. Peacock Plant (Calathea makoyana)
The peacock plant's leaves look like peacock tails and are varied in color. Growing it at home helps purify the air.
Care methods:
1. Fairly shade-tolerant, grows well under bright indirect light indoors.
2. Prefers loose, fertile soil; grows best at 18-22 degrees.
Trailing and climbing flowers
1. Muehlenbeckia complexa (Maidenhair Vine)
Muehlenbeckia complexa has tiny round leaves, densely and finely distributed along its branches, graceful and swaying, very beautiful and romantic, so many people also call it the "wedding dress hanging plant."
Care methods:
1. Muehlenbeckia complexa is highly adaptable and can survive in both semi-shade and full-sun environments.
2. Muehlenbeckia complexa has a particularly high survival rate from cuttings; branches can be cut and propagated in spring and autumn.
3. Summer light is intense, so shade appropriately, otherwise the leaves easily scorch.
2. Syngonium (Arrowhead Plant)
Syngonium is a perennial trailing evergreen herb with a graceful form, varied leaf shapes and elegant colors; it is one of the most popular foliage plants for the home.
Care methods:
1. Syngonium likes a hot, humid, semi-shaded environment; keep the potting soil moist at all times and mist the leaves every day.
2. Syngonium is adaptable but cannot be kept in complete shade for long periods; it grows best in semi-shade with indirect sunlight.
3. Syngonium likes loose, well-drained sandy loam; a mix of leaf mold, peat soil and coarse sand can be used as the growing medium.
3. Ivy (English Ivy)
1. A perennial evergreen vine, shade-tolerant, with low sunlight requirements, suitable for growing in a warm, humid environment. Ivy has graceful leaf shapes and is suitable for decorating living rooms, studies and sitting rooms.
Care methods:
1. Ivy should not be watered too much on ordinary days; in summer water a little more and mist the leaves to maintain humidity.
2. During the peak growing season, apply dilute cake fertilizer water about once every half month, or spray the leaves with 0.2% monopotassium phosphate solution, which will make the leaf color even more vivid.
3. Ivy is mainly propagated by stem cuttings; both water culture and soil culture work, and it roots very easily.
4. Pothos
Pothos is almost the easiest plant to keep alive; it stays green all year, spreads strongly, not only adds a touch of green to the interior but also absorbs formaldehyde well and purifies the air.
Care methods:
1. Pothos has super strong reproductive ability; cut off a branch and stick it in soil or water, and next year you can harvest several pots. If you want to learn cutting techniques, click on me!
2. Pothos is a shade plant and dislikes direct sunlight; in the north it can overwinter safely above 10 degrees.
3. Pothos likes a humid environment; usually mist the leaves more often to increase humidity.
5. Tradescantia zebrina (Inch Plant)
Tradescantia zebrina, a trailing evergreen plant, mostly grows in damp, shady places and fears direct sunlight. Its leaves have alternating purple and green stripes, fresh and elegant, very suitable for indoor planting.
Care methods:
1. Tradescantia zebrina is mainly propagated by stem cuttings, with a very high survival rate, and roots faster when kept above 18 degrees.
2. Tradescantia zebrina likes moisture; the potting soil should always be kept damp, otherwise the leaves will wither.
6. Hoya (Wax Plant)
A climbing shrub that blooms in spring and summer with lovely ball-shaped flowers one after another. Grown indoors and trained into a wall, it is both full of life and full of childlike charm.
Care methods:
1. Hoya likes a hot, humid, semi-shaded environment; avoid direct sun in summer and autumn and keep humidity fairly high.
2. Hoya dislikes heavy clay soil and prefers fertile, airy, well-drained soil.
3. Hoya likes a humid environment; keep the potting soil moist regularly, watering when dry, but do not let water accumulate.
7. Lipstick Plant
The lipstick plant has full, deep-green leaves, and its flowers are as brilliant and red as lipstick; it is an excellent hanging flowering plant for the home.
Care methods:
1. It likes a semi-shaded environment; direct sunlight and dry air most easily cause scorching, so it should be placed in a cool, ventilated spot indoors.
2. From March to September, during the peak growing period, it needs more water; water and mist frequently to increase humidity; gradually reduce watering after autumn.
Flowering plants
1. Christmas Cactus
Christmas cactus is an evergreen perennial flower with waterfall-like stem segments, fresh and verdant, and delicate, graceful, bright and beautiful flowers; it is especially loved and sought after by Chinese people.
Care methods
1. The growing environment for Christmas cactus requires semi-shade and humidity. Avoid blazing sun and rain in summer.
2. Christmas cactus can be propagated by stem cuttings in spring and autumn; take 1-2 mature stem segments, leave them in a cool, ventilated place for 3 days, then insert them for rooting.
2. Hosta
The flowering period is July to September. Hosta leaves are lustrous and smooth, and the flowers are jade-colored with a rich, quiet fragrance; it is a traditional fragrant flower of China and is deeply loved by people.
Care methods
1. Dislikes direct sunlight, likes a shady, damp environment, easy to grow and cold-resistant.
2. It has low soil requirements, but fertile, well-drained, deep sandy soil is best.
3. Water more during the growing period to keep the soil moist; especially in summer when the air is dry, mist the leaves often.
3. Dendrobium Flowers
Dendrobium flowers come in many colors and are very beautiful when they open in clusters; the flowering period is generally April to June.
Care methods
1. Dendrobium likes to grow in a warm, humid, semi-shade, semi-sun environment.
2. Dendrobium orchids have aerial roots; well-drained leaf mold mixed with sphagnum moss and bark chunks can be used as the growing medium.
3. The growing temperature for Dendrobium is 18-30 degrees; above 30 degrees growth slows, and below 10 degrees appropriate insulation measures are needed.
4. Dolphin Flower (Streptocarpus saxorum)
Dolphin flower, as its name suggests, has one blue flower after another that really look like little dolphins, playful and cute.
Care methods
1. Dolphin flower suits a growing environment with diffused light and semi-shade, but it is best to choose a cool south-facing windowsill with slightly brighter light.
2. Dolphin flower likes a cool environment; avoid direct sunlight during summer heat, and prevent frost damage below 10 in winter.
3. Spring and autumn are the main growing and flowering seasons for dolphin flower; watering and fertilizing should be increased accordingly.
5. African Violet
A perennial herb in the Gesneriaceae family, with many varieties, including large-flowered, single-petaled, double-petaled, and various flower colors, blooming all year round.
Care methods
1. African violets are shade-tolerant and like a humid environment; they should grow in a cool place with diffused light.
2. African violets cannot take direct sunlight and can grow under indoor diffused light; they are best placed by a windowsill.
3. When African violets enter the flowering period, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be added; during the growing period, nitrogen fertilizer can be applied.
6. Sweet Alyssum
A perennial herbaceous flower in the Brassicaceae family; the flowering period is May to October, and the flowers bloom like balls. In recent years it has become especially popular among flower lovers.
Care methods
1. Sweet alyssum likes cool conditions and avoids damp heat; it likes sunlight and also tolerates semi-shade, with fairly strong adaptability.
2. Sweet alyssum has no strict soil requirements and tolerates drought and poor soil, but it grows better in fertile, well-drained soil.
3. Sweet alyssum is mostly propagated by sowing; sow in March, bloom in June, cut off the flower branches after blooming, strengthen water and fertilizer, and it can bloom again in autumn.
7. Gloxinia
A member of the Gesneriaceae family, Sinningia genus, blooming twice in spring and autumn. Although the plant is small, the flowers are truly large and gorgeous.
Care methods
1. Gloxinia likes a warm, humid, semi-shaded environment and avoids strong direct light.
2. Gloxinia leaves have fine hairs, and water droplets on them easily cause rot, so do not spray water on the flowers and leaves; for watering, the immersion method is best.
3. Gloxinia likes fertilizer; from leaf unfolding to flowering, apply organic liquid fertilizer once a week, and apply phosphorus fertilizer after flower buds appear.
8. Cyclamen
A perennial bulbous herbaceous plant; December to March is the peak flowering period, and late varieties can also bloom in May to June.
Care methods
1. Cyclamen likes a cool, humid environment; it is not recommended to expose it to strong sun, and it is suitable for growing in a place with diffused light and ventilation.
2. The growing medium can be made by mixing 2 parts leaf mold, 1 part garden soil and a small amount of superphosphate.
3. Cyclamen begins dormancy in July; ensure a ventilated, cool environment, water less, and avoid high temperatures.
9. Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is one of the very good indoor plants; it is not only beautiful but also carries a good meaning. If there are elderly people at home, you must grow kalanchoe.
Care methods
1. Kalanchoe likes sunlight and is best placed on a south-facing windowsill or balcony with plenty of light. If light is insufficient, it will grow leggy and not bloom.
2. Like other succulent flowers, kalanchoe contains a lot of water in its body, has strong drought resistance, and does not need large amounts.
3. During the vigorous growth period of kalanchoe, pay attention to pinching to encourage branching, so that it has good flowers and lush leaves, lest its ornamental value be affected.
10. Clivia
Clivia stays green all year and is strongly shade-tolerant; its flowers stand gracefully, making it an ideal plant for decorating halls, rooms, venues and offices.
Care methods
1. It has low light requirements and can be grown under diffused light.
2. Clivia should not be watered too much; water thoroughly only when dry. After tapping the pot, if the sound is crisp, it means water is insufficient and it needs watering.
3. Clivia can be given liquid fertilizer 1-2 times a month; if organic fertilizer is used, it must be fully decomposed to avoid burning the roots.
11. Geranium
Geranium has a long flowering period; except when the weather is hot in summer, it can bloom from October to April-May of the following spring. The flower colors are gorgeous and varied, making it a very good potted flower.
Care methods
1. Geranium needs a certain amount of light to produce large, brightly colored flowers; it is best placed on an indoor south-facing balcony or windowsill.
2. Water geranium by the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet; if the soil is wet, the stems are tender, which is unfavorable for the sprouting and opening of flower branches.
3. Geranium is also highly adaptable and can grow in various soils, but it grows best in sandy loam rich in humus.
12. Epiphyllum (Night-Blooming Cereus)
In the hot summer, whenever the night is deep and quiet and the sky is full of stars, the epiphyllum blooms one after another; its pure white, plain color is truly stunningly beautiful!
Care methods
1. Epiphyllum likes a warm, humid environment and does not like exposure to the sun; it is suitable for growing indoors.
2. Epiphyllum is mainly propagated by cuttings; cut 2-3 healthy leaf segments, let them dry, then insert them into sand.
3. Epiphyllum likes loose, well-drained soil; summer has a lot of rain, so avoid root rot caused by water accumulation.