---
title: "I have this umbrella plant on lava rock. It’s been fine for a year or…"
description: "I have this umbrella plant on lava rock. It’s been fine for a year or two but recently started to struggle and hasn’t recovered. Any ideas how to help it…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/OSmRiwQi7YBCDzoI1ckZA9"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Ewan"
published: "2025-06-29T13:53:34.812318Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Rj5uH7Fe1fFY6iTzvnWAvXbCDV1EZvNIUXUlpf6UciY/vgWs7w5nTSGnlGv7JthpAw.webp?size=large"
---

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# I have this umbrella plant on lava rock. It’s been fine for a year or…

_Posted by Ewan on 2025-06-29_

I have this umbrella plant on lava rock. It’s been fine for a year or two but recently started to struggle and hasn’t recovered.

Any ideas how to help it please?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Rj5uH7Fe1fFY6iTzvnWAvXbCDV1EZvNIUXUlpf6UciY/vgWs7w5nTSGnlGv7JthpAw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Rj5uH7Fe1fFY6iTzvnWAvXbCDV1EZvNIUXUlpf6UciY/9UUVrwLhSWa5FozQNWEXgA.webp?size=large)

## 2 comments

### Waspinator commented on 2025-06-29

The top section of stem looks dead and can be trimmed off. The rest looks like it needs water. Give its roots a good soak and make sure you fully hit the roots when watering. Also check for temperature issues with the window; it might be getting too hot, or shock from day and night temperatures changing too much

#### Ewan replied on 2025-06-30

Thank you! I never considered that it could be underwatered as it sits in a tray of water that the lava rock soaks up - but maybe I need to get water over the roots specifically.

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