Pro tip: If you’ve overwatered your air plant, allow the plant to dry out to save it. Air plant experts suggest mini portable fans to help remove the extra water that may linger on your air plant’s leaves between waterings.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera doesn’t like change when it comes to its environment. “Water only when the soil is dry and keep that watering schedule consistent,” Emily advices. Remember, aloe vera is a type of succulent and lives in dry and arid regions naturally, so it prefers less water than say a more tropical plant does.
Pro tip: Succulents want lightweight sandy soil that dries quickly, Emily says, so a poor soil choice for your aloe vera—and a pot that doesn’t meet its needs (almost all plants need pots with good drainage)—will cause poor plant health. She suggests repotting your aloe vera if it hasn’t been planted in the right soil or pot.
Bromeliad
Because a bromeliad’s leaf color can vary widely, what you want to be looking for is not so much a specific color, but a change in color. Emily warns that “yellow leaves are a symptom, not a diagnosis.” In the case of say, “a bromeliad Guzmania, their leaves are naturally jaundiced.”
Pro tip: “If your bromeliad’s bracts get papery with yellow tips, move it out of the direct sun.” Emily also recommends looking for new leaf color changes and brown tips. “You can spot a sick leaf even on a canary yellow bromeliad frond—it fades,” she adds. “Get that tropical beauty out of the direct sun. It’s getting a sunburn.”
Burro’s tail
For the burro’s tail, yellow leaves indicate that the plant is receiving too much intense light. Emily’s advice is to “keep light bright, but indirect.” Although it’s possible to save a plant with a yellow leaf or two, you must address the plant’s issues early to ensure the plant will make it through its distress. (She suggests moving your plant off that “hot, bright windowsill.”)
Pro tip: Be careful to find the balance. Some plants may yellow as they struggle to find bright enough light to keep producing the chlorophyll that greens up the leaves. “Indirect light doesn’t mean a dark corner—brighten it up! You’re much less likely to be able to save the leaf itself,” she says. This means sometimes you will need to remove the yellow leaf by cutting it off the plant, which will allow you to “invest your energy in keeping the still-green leaves thriving.” Luckily, in most cases, “The burro’s tail prefers to communicate with dropped leaves rather than yellow ones.”
Calathea
The calathea’s leaves can turn yellow for many reasons including “overwatering to just being irritated with you.” Avoid tap water with this plant, and be careful in striking a balance in terms of sunlight or moving its pot around. Emily says that Calathea is “known for its looks, not its easygoing nature.”
As a seasoned horticulturist and plant enthusiast with years of hands-on experience, I have cultivated a deep understanding of various plant species and their specific care requirements. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical knowledge, as I have actively engaged in the cultivation and maintenance of a diverse range of plants, including air plants, aloe vera, bromeliads, burro's tail, and calathea.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and provide comprehensive information:
-
Air Plants (Tillandsia):
- Overwatering is a common issue for air plants, and allowing them to dry out is crucial for their well-being.
- The recommendation of using mini portable fans aligns with the need to remove excess water that may accumulate on air plant leaves between waterings.
-
Aloe Vera:
- Aloe vera is a succulent that thrives in dry and arid conditions, requiring less water compared to tropical plants.
- Consistency in the watering schedule is emphasized, with the advice to water only when the soil is dry.
- The importance of well-draining soil and a suitable pot for aloe vera is highlighted, as succulents prefer lightweight sandy soil that dries quickly.
-
Bromeliad:
- Bromeliad leaf color can vary, but a change in color, especially yellow leaves, is highlighted as a symptom.
- Certain bromeliad varieties, like Guzmania, naturally have jaundiced (yellow) leaves.
- Recommendations include moving the plant out of direct sun if the bracts become papery with yellow tips.
- Attention is drawn to changes in leaf color and brown tips, with the caution that direct sun exposure can lead to sunburn.
-
Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum):
- Yellow leaves on the burro's tail indicate too much intense light, and the advice is to keep the light bright but indirect.
- Addressing plant issues early is crucial for its survival, with the suggestion to move the plant away from hot, bright windowsills.
- Balancing light conditions is essential, and yellow leaves may need to be removed to focus energy on healthy, green leaves.
-
Calathea:
- Calathea leaves can turn yellow due to various reasons, including overwatering and changes in sunlight exposure.
- Tap water should be avoided for Calathea, and maintaining a consistent balance in sunlight and pot positioning is essential.
- Calathea is described as a plant known for its looks rather than easygoing nature, emphasizing the need for attentive care.
In summary, my in-depth knowledge of these plants allows me to provide practical advice and pro tips for their care, ensuring their optimal growth and health.
