I got this African Milkbush plant just this past weekend. The first photo is from when I brought it home and the 2nd photo is 2-3 hours after I watered it the next day (clearly a mistake). Can anyone give me advice on how to help bring it back to life? The top couple inches of soil feel pretty dry and so does around the drain holes on the bottom. It is in a south facing window.
It could just be in shock from changing environments. Did the humidity, lighting, and/or temperature change significantly? Also, if the soil is dry even though you watered it, I would make sure the soil is not hydrophobic and compacted. You may need to repot in better soil if this is the problem.
1 like It came from a succulent nursery on Saturday and it was outside but shaded in a tent. Now it is indoors and so obviously much cooler. What is the best way to see if the soil is hydrophobic or compacted?
0 likes When you water it, does the water just drain out around the soil instead of being absorbed? This happened to me and since the water came out of the bottom I thought my plant was getting enough water, when really the water was basically running around a rock. You can also feel the soil. Is it loose and airy? Or is it hard to get your fingers through? If you’re not sure, the best way is to wiggle the plant out and inspect the roots/soil. That way in case it is something like root rot you will catch it quickly. I personally like to repot my new plants when I bring them home because I can check out the roots, check for pests, and make sure it has the right kind of soil. Some big box stores will plant them in very dense soil that doesn’t have perlite or much of anything for drainage, so that they stay moist for longer. Then you get home and your plant is living in less than ideal soil.
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