Houseplants @mander.xyz Araithya @lemmy.world 1 mo. ago

What the heck is wrong with my succulent?

I have never seen anything like this? I’ve separated it from the rest of my plants, it’s the only one with this problem! Why is it purple??

15 comments

This lengthening of a succulent is a process known as Etiolation. It’s not getting enough light, so it’s stretching out as much as it can to try and get more light to each petal. The color change is also likely from the lack of sunlight as well. I’d suggest moving it to a window where it gets more light.
Drooping and dropping leaves is usually lack of water, but who knows with succulents

I'd assume that's what it is tho. And the purple is just what they do instead of browning
- Not a succulent expert by any means, but the fact that it's growing some air roots and the dropped leaves also are trying to root also seems to point to not enough water.
  
  We have a big jade that will air root when it's too dry. Before it gets to that point it's leaves will look noticeably less plump.
  
  Succulents do require watering, but it's very important to not overdo it. Our Jade is probably only watered ever two months or so when it's outside (on an east facing porch in zone 6) during the summer and even less frequently in the winter. I know it well enough to be able to eyeball the plant at this point.
  
  I have a graptoveria that produces air roots constantly, mostly because despite having a perfectly good pot and light source, it does its utmost to grow outside of the pot. Every year I have to chop and prop it to save it from itself.
  
  I didn't even see the air root at the back, good catch. So not enough sunlight and not enough water to sustain the plant
  
  I didn't even see that on the leaf...
  
  Can you grow a new plant off just a leaf or would it be like normal plants and just keep the leaf alive if there's not some "branch" with it to establish a clone?
Either too much or not enough sunlight causes some succulents to turn purple, and judging by the growth pattern and lighter colour of the leaves, it seems like it doesn't get enough sunlight. It being so focused in those areas where leaves are attached would probably indicate it's trying to heal up some wounds, and trying to protect it from sunlight.

As to why it's dropping seemingly healthy leaves, I have a theory. If I see this correctly, the roots are popping out everywhere, indicating that it has nowhere to go. This will slow down growth and it will drop older leaves in order to sustain the growth.

That's just a theory though. Personally, I would repot it into a bigger (plastic) pot with drainage, and place it somewhere that gets a bit more sunlight and track how it's growing.

Would also appreciate a higher res picture to definitely say it's the roots and maybe check out the specks on the leaves, as that could be a disease.
- Time to break out the grow lights I guess. I had no idea they could turn purple, it freaked me out! The specks on the leaves are just soil from me planting another plant next to it, just haven’t dusted it off yet. Is it okay to replant it while it’s fragile?
  
  Giving it more water and some light might help in the short term, but if it doesn't stabilise soon it might not make a difference in the end. Just make sure not to drastically change the light exposure as it might get sunburnt
The leaves look like they're shriveling. I also see some aerial roots. That could either be a sign of not enough water, or too much, leading to the roots dying and the plant dropping leaves out of stress. I would gradually expose it to more light as well as it looks etiolated. So I would put it in a full sized real pot with good drainage so that it has a nice, regular amount of water delivery, and the greater light will ensure it can use that water adequately (and not get root rot)
Man, that really succs.
Clearly it's the wrong type for Bulbasaur

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