It’s been already 9 month since it stopped growing. The l...
5ft to light, indirect
8” pot with drainage
Last watered 4 days ago
20
Best Answer
@OodlesCatpalm54 @SvelteKingfern Tagging you too Sophie, with my thoughts, because after hearing where it is and seeing more pictures, the leaves appear to be that color because of too LITTLE light. In too little light the contrast fades as it looks like here. Too much light would appear a bit more scorched/brown tinted. This plant is saying it needs more light and more water. My zebra plant is quite happy in a spot that gets 300-500 foot candles. A basic light meter can really help here.
All that aside though, I have bad news, your plant has spider mites 😑 You can get rid of them, but you have to be vigilant and consistent because those little sh*ts are a-holes. The webbing like you see here is a tell tale sign.
All that aside though, I have bad news, your plant has spider mites 😑 You can get rid of them, but you have to be vigilant and consistent because those little sh*ts are a-holes. The webbing like you see here is a tell tale sign.
@OodlesCatpalm54 your info card says it’s in direct light. What kind of light (window direction or grow light)? What kind of soil do you have in there? Is it topped with pebbles?
To my eye it looks quite bleached out, possibly too bright of light on it? Did those very light leaves have darker green on them before or is that how you got it? Too much direct sun or heat can stress it out and send it into panic/survival mode, which would stop it from putting out new growth.
To my eye it looks quite bleached out, possibly too bright of light on it? Did those very light leaves have darker green on them before or is that how you got it? Too much direct sun or heat can stress it out and send it into panic/survival mode, which would stop it from putting out new growth.
@DreamMachine sorry, haven’t mentioned you in the previous message. Hope you’ll find it in a thread. In addition to that, yep, it was greener before. When I tried to put it in the shadow it was still dropping its lower leaves though. It stopped growing in winter so I thought maybe it was because of low temperature. I’m still completely lost 😞
The soil is just a basic plant mix + perlite. The pebbles is just a decoration, they don’t cover it entirely.
The soil is just a basic plant mix + perlite. The pebbles is just a decoration, they don’t cover it entirely.
@SvelteKingfern I repotted it twice (specifically was checking the roots health) Last time was in July/August. I changed the soil. Sprayed everything with an anti-fungi liquid and added perlite for the better oxygenation. The roots were white/ivory and juicy. And there was still plenty of space in the pot. Maybe too much space, idk 🤷♀️
https://www.google.com/search?q=zebra+plant+leaves+getting+pale&oq=zebra+plant+leaves+getting+pale&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yDQgCEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgDEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgEEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyCggFEAAYgAQYogQyCggGEAAYogQYiQUyCggHEAAYogQYiQUyCggIEAAYgAQYogQyCggJEAAYgAQYogQyBwgKECEYjwIyBwgLECEYjwLSAQkxNzY1NWowajmoAgCwAgE&client=ms-android-samsung-ss&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
There are listed reasons for pale leaves. You need to check them carefully, and decide what fits best. Sorry that I can't help any further.
Good luck. I'd be grateful is you tag me what you decided, and about progress.
There are listed reasons for pale leaves. You need to check them carefully, and decide what fits best. Sorry that I can't help any further.
Good luck. I'd be grateful is you tag me what you decided, and about progress.
@SvelteKingfern thank you! 🙏🏻 As listed in the linked guide and as @DreamMachine said, the sun might be the reason. I think I’ll try to put it away from the sun and buy a humidifier. Will see!
Ok. If too much Sun is the reason, just be aware that the bleached leaves will not turn green again. Once chlorophyl is gone, it's gone forever. Do not cut off these pale leaves for esthetic reasons. However, once they turn very dry and crispy, then you can safely cut them off ( crispy and dry means the plant has absorbed back nutrients from these leaves)
@OodlesCatpalm54 @SvelteKingfern
I am copy/pasting @SuperbRaspfern ‘s spider mite treatment below:
A couple of options for pests that won't hurt your plants are:
1 tablespoon pure neem oil mixed with 4 cups (32 ounces of water)
Or
1 tablespoon Castile soap mixed with 4 cups (32 ounces of water)
Either of these are a great choice and won't hurt plants just keep them out of direct sun for a day or two after treatment.
Also want to let you know spider mites need more than one or two treatments.
You need to treat every 3 days for 3 weeks to get rid of them. I prefer the neem oil because it keeps working for a few days so when a pest takes a bite of leaf they die even after treatment.
Castile is also good but it only kills on contact. As soon as it dries it becomes inactive.
Never ever use any kind of dish soap or detergent I also see that recommended and it will also strip away the waxy coating.
(And I @DreamMachine prefer the castille soap. I’m fine with consistent multiple applications because I just really get overwhelmed with the smell of neem)
I am copy/pasting @SuperbRaspfern ‘s spider mite treatment below:
A couple of options for pests that won't hurt your plants are:
1 tablespoon pure neem oil mixed with 4 cups (32 ounces of water)
Or
1 tablespoon Castile soap mixed with 4 cups (32 ounces of water)
Either of these are a great choice and won't hurt plants just keep them out of direct sun for a day or two after treatment.
Also want to let you know spider mites need more than one or two treatments.
You need to treat every 3 days for 3 weeks to get rid of them. I prefer the neem oil because it keeps working for a few days so when a pest takes a bite of leaf they die even after treatment.
Castile is also good but it only kills on contact. As soon as it dries it becomes inactive.
Never ever use any kind of dish soap or detergent I also see that recommended and it will also strip away the waxy coating.
(And I @DreamMachine prefer the castille soap. I’m fine with consistent multiple applications because I just really get overwhelmed with the smell of neem)
@OodlesCatpalm54 @SvelteKingfern You will need to mix the treatment and spray down all parts of the plant: top and bottom of leaves, stems, top of soil, and I even spray the outside and bottom of the pot itself. Spray it down until it is DRIPPING. Give it a gentle shake to get extra drips off and then let it air dry.
It’s also a good idea to treat all the other plants that were nearby as well. Even though they don’t fly, they can float on a breeze to other plants 😑
It’s also a good idea to treat all the other plants that were nearby as well. Even though they don’t fly, they can float on a breeze to other plants 😑
Thank you for tagging me @DreamMachine , I appreciate that. I don't think it's not enough light. I don't see any elongation. Your thoughts ?
Where's the webbing , where are the adults ?
Where's the webbing , where are the adults ?
@SvelteKingfern my pleasure! The losing of the leaves coloring/contrasting in low light situations can happen with etoliation OR before it. Since this plant is also suffering from spider mites, it’s not putting out any new growth, like @OodlesCatpalm54 said. It hasn’t grown in almost a year. It’s in survival mode so, I think it could be perfectly reasonable (in the circumstances) that it would be losing its coloring but not putting out leggy growth.
If that were the case, the lower leaves would lose colour first. It's not happening here. The bleached leaves are on the right side. It's where the Sun was shining. (?)
The best thing, I agree, is to buy a light meter. @DreamMachine Nadia
The best thing, I agree, is to buy a light meter. @DreamMachine Nadia
@OodlesCatpalm54 @SvelteKingfern
It typically happens on the older leaves first, but not necessarily the case for every single plant. But I think the most telling thing here is that the lower leaves have already dropped 🍃 and gone and we’re looking at a plant whose growth has stalled for 9 months. 🤷🏼♀️
However, I’m just playing devil’s advocate, lol 😉 Now that I’ve seen the spider mite webbing, we’ve got a big neon sign pointing to those nasty little buggers. They feed by sucking the sap, and removing chlorophyll and nutrients. 🥤They are very very small, and unless the photo is already zoomed in really well, it would be impossible to point out adult mites. (Unless you’re Superman or something. Mite Girl? Eh, worst superhero name ever.) But you can see the webbing. And when you see that, it would be a very good idea to treat for mites.
It typically happens on the older leaves first, but not necessarily the case for every single plant. But I think the most telling thing here is that the lower leaves have already dropped 🍃 and gone and we’re looking at a plant whose growth has stalled for 9 months. 🤷🏼♀️
However, I’m just playing devil’s advocate, lol 😉 Now that I’ve seen the spider mite webbing, we’ve got a big neon sign pointing to those nasty little buggers. They feed by sucking the sap, and removing chlorophyll and nutrients. 🥤They are very very small, and unless the photo is already zoomed in really well, it would be impossible to point out adult mites. (Unless you’re Superman or something. Mite Girl? Eh, worst superhero name ever.) But you can see the webbing. And when you see that, it would be a very good idea to treat for mites.
@DreamMachine @SvelteKingfern Oh my, girls, you are goddesses of nature! 🙏 Thank you very much! Will do my best to get rid of the nasty spiders and after that will test the theories of the sunlight amount.