How can I improve the health of this indoor plant?

1. STAFF

   Paul Edmondsonposted 10 years ago

   How can I improve the health of this indoor plant?
   
   I'm not sure what kind of plant this, but it is tall with broad leaves. It sits by a window and gets decent light, but it is struggling. What can I do to improve its health?
   
   

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   swilliamsposted 10 years ago

   This looks like an indoor tropical plant, which needs to be repotted,  in organic soil. If you use natural rain water, (the next time it rains) This will perk up your plant overnight.

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3. 89

   Nell Roseposted 10 years ago

   I tend to use plant food, but apart from that just watering it every other day, and letting the air from the window get to it too, I think they need fresh air as well as sunlight.

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      swilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Nell! What kind of plant food do you use? I have never given any of my plants food. I've administered a powder solution through the water bulbs but, I've often wondered about plant food.

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4. 85

   rebekahELLEposted 10 years ago

   I'm not sure what kind of plant it is, but I would start with giving it a larger pot to grow in, add some plant food and see if that helps.  With its height, it needs more room to expand its roots.  I suggest taking your pic to a local nursery and have them identify it for you, plus they can give you specific suggestions.

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   RTalloniposted 10 years ago

   Yes, your local nursery should be able to tell you.  Go at a time when their most experienced employees will be available.

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   tsmogposted 10 years ago

   A little looking about it looks like a Ficus Lyrata. More can be found here . . . http://www.flowersandplants.org.uk/plan … yrata.html
   
   I wonder because the site shows one trunk in a planter and there are four or so in the picture you show. That leads me to ponder if they are root bound. They are trees more than just house plants. I would say each of those trunks with root systems are competing with each other not for water, but for nutrients of the soil. The proportion of soil to plants is diminishing. Either one will suffer or they will suffer together. Notice there are no branches forming.
   
   Working in a nursery for native California plants raking leaves I learned from the owner. They always check the plant root system by holding the plant upside down and remove the pot. The plant is ready for planting if the roots are nearing a point of bound, yet not there. Then is when the roots will have the greatest propensity to spread in the virgin soil awaiting a plant. They grow stronger and larger.
   
   If you go to Google Images and search the name Ficus Lyrata there are many, many images of this plant in homes and in yards. Again a common element is the healthy appearing plants have one trunk in a planter. Very few images of multiple trunks. Looking at those images the common are they are large heading for tree size or are tree size. I would think guessing with the nursery experience that plant in the image is like a tree plant at a nursery being sold to be placed into the ground. They have reached the planting stage.

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   savvydatingposted 10 years ago

   Lift the plant up by finding a nice, decorative stool for it. Then give it a slightly larger base/pot. Water the plant with a tsp. or so of hydrogen peroxide now and again. Frankly, the plant appears to need more space. Maybe it is too close to the steam of the bathtub water. That's all I've got...!

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   Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years ago

   Yes, it definitely needs to be re-potted as swilliams says. If the leaves are falling off you may be watering it too often. A larger pot with a saucer at least 2 or 3 inches deep, filled with small pebbles will be better for the plant. Excess water will collect in the saucer and help to provide humidity. Water only when the top two inches of soil is dry and do not over water. You can also spray the plant with clear, clean water once a week or so to keep the leaves free of any dust that may be clogging the pours. I used to have plants like that and once a week I gently wiped off the leaves with a clean damp cloth. It kept the leaves shiny and helped them to breath.

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   snakeslaneposted 10 years ago

   It looks like your plant may have a bug or mites judging by the brown spots and the deformed leaves. Damaged leaves should be removed, and you could try spraying with something mild like Safer's Soap to get rid of the bugs. As others have suggested here, it wouldn't hurt to repot it in some fresh, sterilized soil. Not sure what kind of care figs need, probably good light and avoid over-watering (let the soil dry out between watering). I also like savydating's suggestion of adding a little peroxide to the water.

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