Expert: Darlene K. Kittle - 11/7/2009

Question
My mother's purple passion had been doing well, then a couple of leaves turned brown and fell off. No more leaves have turned brown, but all of the leaves are wilting. She's been watering it like she was told to. Please help us save our plant.

Answer
Robin,

You said she was watering like she was told to, how was she told to water it? It should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Every time it is watered the drain tray should be emptied so it is not constantly sitting in water or the roots begin to rot and the plant wilts because it can no longer absorb water. The roots need to breath between waterings and they cannot do that if they are constantly wet. That is why when it rains constantly crops in farmer's fields begin to die.  If she cuts bach or the water and lets it dry our between waterings it can slowly grow new roots and it will survive. Good luck.

Darlene