---
title: "She use to be so full of life. Now she is just losing leaves and…"
description: "She use to be so full of life. Now she is just losing leaves and thinning out on top. I have tried cop and prop and waiting till the props had good roots and…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg/3LqUXMZDQ8Cjv_FTDONAHA"
community: "Propagating & Sowing"
author: "Christine"
published: "2024-11-28T21:14:38.716303Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/_edhlJJNztidafXibOYQD8W4K1RG5rynm8oD5Enl0lg/ES-O-VXrQCmDy7OV0hAQoA.webp?size=large"
---

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# She use to be so full of life. Now she is just losing leaves and…

_Posted by Christine on 2024-11-28_

She use to be so full of life. Now she is just losing leaves and thinning out on top. I have tried cop and prop and waiting till the props had good roots and then putting them back in. Only to have the prop pieces die.  
Soil-potting soil, orchid bard \& perlite.  
Water-rain water  
Great lighting (even a grow light now).  
Would it just be better to leave her in water and not try putting her in soil? Could she live in water?  
Please help

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/_edhlJJNztidafXibOYQD8W4K1RG5rynm8oD5Enl0lg/ES-O-VXrQCmDy7OV0hAQoA.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/_edhlJJNztidafXibOYQD8W4K1RG5rynm8oD5Enl0lg/xj7eNjPcQ6C87zo6agezSA.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### Plant lover 2000 commented on 2024-11-28

Maybe its time for a repot? Looks too big for its pot

### plant mommy commented on 2024-11-29

Agree needs more room. However I keep failing with these plants too. They appear to be dramatic.

### Plant Lives Matter commented on 2024-11-29

Yeah, this is the reason I’m not a fan of tradescantia plants in general. They look gorgeous for a time, but can look completely overgrown and out of control within a year. On the plus side, they root extremely easily. (In fact, they’re invasive in some parts of the world.) So all you really need to do is cut off 4-6 inches from the ends of several of them vines, stick them in fresh soil, and bam! You have a new plant. Your issue might be in the transition between water and soil. It isn’t dealing with the shock well. So I’d just skip the water altogether. They’ll grow roots quickly enough as long as the soil is moist.

#### Christine replied on 2024-11-29

Thank you 🙏🏼

#### Christine replied on 2024-11-29

Would a terra-cotta pot be better or the clear plastic ones that it’s in?

#### Plant Lives Matter replied on 2024-11-29

Eh. Would not recommend terracotta for tradescantia generally. Believe they like relatively moist soil and terracotta would dry out too quickly.

#### Christine replied on 2024-11-29

Thank you!

### emmalovesplants commented on 2024-11-30

Try pruning it (if you don’t know what it means it means that you trim it), make sure it has drainage holes, if it has drainage holes add some, put rocks at the bottom of the pot for better drainage, check for pests and look up recipes, (i use dawn dish soap and water for my succulents and cactus’), check for better sunlight, get a heating and light lamp, repot, check for root bounding, check for root rot, ect!

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