What is wrong with this plant? I’ve inherited it from my fiancées father who has since passed. Apparently it was his late wife’s baby. He told me when he was on hospice to not let it die. It’s been ok for 6 years but it’s not looking good now.
First immediate reaction: not enough light. Move it to a brigher position closer to a window. Also, check that it hasn't been overwatered.
It should be fine to cut the stem, maybe to about 10 inches above the soil. It should sprout new growth. I would wait just a bit to do that until the new leaves open, then cut the top off at about 10 inches below the new growth and just push that about 3 or 4 inches into the soil so the two plants are symmetrically spaced. If you can keep track of which end is up, you can also make maybe two more bare stalks and push them into the soil and see if they grow. They might. Don't give up until they look very dead. I would remove the stake. Are there holes at the bottom of the pot? If not, I would get a cheaper plastic pot almost the same size with holes, take this plant out of the nice pot, trim the edges of the soil so that it will fit into the new pot, then place that in the nice outer pot (now called a "jardiniere"). When you think the plant needs water, lift the inside pot to make sure it feels lighter than when it was just watered. And make sure after you water it that there is no water collecting in the bottom of the jardiniere.
The portion of the stem above where it's attached to the stake appears to be dying so the leafy growth at the top may not have a chance to develop further. I would consider removing that portion and transferring the remainder to a new and smaller container as it appears to be oversized even for a healthy plant that size. The new container should be slightly larger than the root ball. There's no longer a need for a stake.
Hi, It looks like your plant needs some attention. Here are a few possible issues: Low light – Move it to a spot with more indirect sunlight. Watering – Ensure the soil is moist but not soggy. Avoid over/under-watering. Nutrient deficiency – Try adding a balanced liquid fertilizer. Pruning – Trim the stem to encourage fuller growth from the base. Let me know if you need more help! Best regards, Pankaj R
