Swedish Ivy problems & how to fix them

Plectranthus verticillatus

Drooping, yellowing, brown tips, or a plant that just won’t thrive? Here are the most common Swedish Ivy problems, what usually causes them, and how to turn things around.

Common problems

Root rot

Its fast-growing soft stems rot at the base in wet soil. A fungal or bacterial infection of the roots, almost always triggered by soil staying wet too long. Caught early, most plants recover within a few weeks after repotting; if most roots are already mushy, recovery is uncertain.

Etiolation (insufficient light)

Low light makes trailing stems long, weak, and sparse. The plant is stretching toward light it isn't getting: long gaps between leaves, pale thin growth, and leaning. Stretched growth never compacts again, but with more light all new growth comes in full and sturdy - the plant's future is good.

Example of etiolated seedlings stretching pale toward the light, on another plant — Example on another plant
etiolated seedlings stretching pale toward the light
Photo: சஞ்சீவி சிவகுமார் · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Mealybugs

They gather at stem joints and leaf axils on crowded plants. Slow-moving sap-sucking insects that look like bits of white cotton stuck in leaf joints. They are stubborn but very treatable with repeated spot treatment; expect steady improvement over 3-4 weeks.

Example of a long-tailed mealybug on a leaf, on another plant — Example on another plant
a long-tailed mealybug on a leaf
Photo: D-Kuru · CC BY-SA 3.0 at · Wikimedia Commons

Underwatering

Repeated hard wilting crisps and drops the lower leaves. The plant is not getting enough water, either from infrequent watering or soil so dry it repels water. Prognosis is excellent - most underwatered plants perk up within days of proper rehydration.

The mistakes that most often kill it

Soggy soil rotting the stems at soil level.
Never pruning, until the plant is all bare stem and no leaf.
Deep shade, which slowly starves this fast grower.

Not sure what’s wrong?

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