Expert: Maureen - 5/27/2010

Question
I would like to know what is wrong with my zizi plant.  The leaves keep curling then they yellow and the whole stem dies. I do not believe I am overwatering because I often neglect this plant.  I am down to one good stem and I would like it to survive so any tips will be welcome.  Thanks.

Answer
I would put it in a smaller pot after trimming the roots if you only have a stem left.  They like to be root bound and don't like much water. When you repot it make sure too look to see if the roots are healthy -white, plump - if they aren't the plant may have started to rot from the bottom or developed root mealy bugs.  In those cases, I don't think you can save it.  Sometimes what we think is neglect is even too much care for a plant like this.  In bright light water only about every 3 weeks and in dim light no more than every month.  The most important thing is to get that stem out of the pot, put it in slightly moistened new soil in a much smaller pot (I'm assuming the pot is too large because it sounds like you've lost more than one  stem) and give it a change to grow some new roots.  These plants really like to be dry.

Hope that helps,

Maureen