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Dear Plant Pundit,
Clearly, I’m not the best plant parent. My plant baby is dying (see photo evidence)! I got her this summer and she’s thriving outside (I was told it was an outdoor plant)—until it got cold, when I brought her in. I water her about once a week, which was also recommended. I’m not sure if she needs more or less water? To be repotted? To have her dead leaves trimmed? Or… a plant funeral?! Womp womp. Help!
—Am I the Problem?
Dear Am I the Problem?,
You aren’t to blame! You sound like a conscientious plant parent who tried to follow instructions. However, you were the victim of bad info. That plant is an Aglaonema—aka Chinese evergreen. For us in NC, it’s a houseplant most of the year. It’s only an outdoor plant if you live at the equator or if you keep it outside when temps are ideal (nighttime temps consistently 55+ degrees).
Cold damage on plants doesn’t always show up right away—so it might’ve been dealt the death blow before you brought it in… and it was too late. A large portion of the top was damaged and not taking up water. What was left of the plant didn’t need much water and perhaps was victim to root rot.
The best you can do is take it out of the pot, pull or cut away any brown dead roots, and separate/cut away the brown leaves up top. Repot whatever is left in a smaller pot with fresh potting soil; place it in an area of low to moderate indoor light; and keep the soil lightly moist.
April through summer, feed monthly with half-strength houseplant fertilizer according to the frequency on the label. If it bounces back, you can return to regular strength next summer.
Tina Mast is the communications director for Homewood Nursery & Garden Center in North Raleigh. When not gardening in her shady woodland, she spends her time taking lots of flower and kitty pics, practicing ukulele, or finding a new restaurant to check out.
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