Heart Of Jesus Plant Drooping

Heart Of Jesus Plant Drooping? 7 Main Causes & Solutions!

Considering its beautiful, multi-colored leaves, the heart of Jesus or caladium plant is perfect for decorating your home. Whether you keep them indoors or in the garden, caladium plants have a way of making your environment outstanding.

But due to their nature, the caladium hearts of the Jesus plants cannot handle certain situations, including temperature fluctuations.

Finding out your caladium plant is constantly drooping can be a cause for concern. There’s no doubt that something is wrong with the plant, which you may not be able to figure out on time.

Many gardeners also experience the same situation, so you’re not alone. And they often ask the same question – why is my heart of Jesus plant drooping?

To keep your caladium plants healthy and thriving, it’s best to monitor their environment for any extreme changes in temperature, light, and soil moisture.

Why Is My Heart Of Jesus Plant Drooping

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Many factors can cause drooping in the heart of Jesus’ plant. But the most common reasons are overwatering, underwatering, too much exposure to sunlight, and temperature fluctuations. 

At this point, you may be wondering how these factors affect your beautiful plant’s appearance. But don’t worry, we will explain these issues in detail and provide the possible solutions to them.

Now, let’s get started!

7 Common Causes Of Drooping In The Heart Of Jesus Plant

1. Incorrect Potting Soil Mix

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Using the right potting soil ensures your household plants, including caladiums, retain their beauty and remain healthy.

Caladium does not grow well in non-acidic, infertile soil. And if the soil is not well-drained, the plants may struggle to survive.

When you use any type of soil for these plants, without considering whether it is good or not, they will lose their moisture. As a result, the caladium will suffer from dehydration, causing its leaves to droop.

Apply manure to the soil you want to use for the plants and it will nourish them. This will help provide the caladium with the necessary nutrients it needs to grow. 

Test the PH of the soil to be sure it is within the range of 5.5 because caladium thrives in acidic soil.

2. Excess Use Of Fertilizers

Applying quality fertilizers to your heart of Jesus plants will help them grow the way you desire. But while using fertilizers on the soil, you need to be careful.

Adding too much fertilizer to caladium causes a build-up of salt in the soil. It may also prevent water from traveling to the soil, which causes the leaves to droop.

Once you notice there is excess fertilizer in the soil, pour enough water on it to wash off the extra salt. But do not try this method if you’re not using pots with drainage holes.

Also, consider repotting plants with excess salt layers in the soil. Further, do not hesitate to change potted plants at least every six months to prevent a build-up of salt.

3. Exposure To Direct Sunlight

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Of course, caladium needs light just like any other plant. But exposing the plants to too much sunlight can cause their leaves to sag.

To grow and maintain their radiance, the caladium plants need a little light, but not from facing the sun’s rays directly.

Constantly keeping these plants in the sun will not only cause their color to fade, but it will also make their leaves droop.

Fortunately, you can restore your caladium to its natural state, if it has been affected by direct sunlight. 

Move the plant to a place with some shade, trim all the affected parts, and keep watering. If possible, keep the plant away from the window, and if not, use a curtain to cover your window.

Also, ensure the plants are in a humid environment during the healing period. Within a short time, you’ll notice remarkable changes in your caladium plants.

4. Too Much Watering

While watering the heart of Jesus plants is one way to care for them, too much water can cause problems. When you pour excess water on the plants, it blocks the soil’s air passage. This prevents the roots from getting air, which affects the shape of the plants eventually.

If you notice a root is dying, do not hesitate to separate it from the healthy ones. Preferably, get pots with drainage holes at the bottom so that water can pass through them easily.

Consider adding perlite or pumice to the potting soil to improve drainage and aeration.

It is also important to add a little water at a time to the heart of Jesus plants to prevent overwatering them.

5. Inadequate Watering

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Although overwatering can expose your caladium plant to certain problems, underwatering is equally dangerous. Dormancy and drooping leaves are often a sign that your plant is not getting enough water.

If you water the plants regularly and notice they get dry quickly, they are probably exposed to heat from direct sunlight.

Always keep your caladium soil moist; this is the perfect condition for them to survive. Keep them away from direct sunlight to prevent heat, which robs the plants of moisture.

Once in a while, spray some water on the caladium leaves to provide them with a moderate amount of moisture.

6. Fluctuations In Temperature

As with other tropical plants, the heart of Jesus plants does not like being in environments where the temperature fluctuates. Keep the plants in an environment between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and they will flourish. 

Once the temperature begins to drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant’s leaves will begin to wither.

Similarly, the caladium plants need high humidity to survive and maintain their shape. Consider using a humidifier to maintain humidity in the plants’ environment.

7. Pest Infestation

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Pests are one of the causes of drooping in the caladium leaves. Within a short time, spider mites, mealy bugs, aphids, and scale insects can change the shape and appearance of your caladium plants.

If you notice pests are infesting your caladium, spray the plants with a garden hose to get rid of them. Also, consider using neem oil or other effective insecticides to chase the pests away.

Common Problems Of Heart of Jesus Plant

As with most plants, the Heart of Jesus plants are not immune to problems, even when you take care of them. But with adequate care and attention, the plants can recover within a short time.

Here are some of the issues these plants may suffer from:

1. Fungal Diseases

Excess water in the soil, and bad drainage can expose your Heart of Jesus plant to fungal diseases. And sometimes, lack of aeration and high levels of humidity can also cause this problem. 

Some of the fungal diseases that attack the caladium include root rot, anthracnose, and leaf spots. If you notice that a plant is suffering from fungus disease, separate the plant from healthy ones. Then, apply fungicides to the affected caladium plant if the damage is not severe. 

2. Leaf Discoloration

Usually, the Heart of Jesus plants produce colorful leaves. But if the leaves begin to change to yellow or brown, there’s likely a problem with the plant. 

Factors that may cause this issue include overwatering, exposure to too much light, or a lack of nutrients. Make some changes to your watering pattern, add fertilizer to the plant, and keep it away from direct sunlight. 

3. Environmental Stress

Extreme temperatures can also cause a problem with the heart of Jesus’ leaves. Due to their nature, these plants prefer humid conditions. If you expose them to too much cold or their temperature changes suddenly, the plant will go through stress.  

See a similar post: Brown Spots On Coral Cactus

Final Thoughts

Most of the things that ensure your plant grows healthily include soil, water, light, and potting.

Now, we’re sure you understand why your heart of Jesus plants is drooping and the possible solutions.

Although some plants do not require extra care, others fall apart when little things go wrong. But with the right guide, no plant will be difficult to maintain. 

By following the tips in this article, you won’t have problems with maintaining your heart of Jesus plants. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Keep Caladium Indoors?

Yes, you can keep your caladium plants indoors as long as the environment is favorable for them. Provide the plants with enough heat and keep them away from direct sunlight. In addition, ensure the environment has high humidity and they’ll continue to radiate.

How Often Should Caladium Be Watered?

Even though caladium plants thrive in a moist environment, do not water them more than once or two times a week. While too little water is not good for the plants, excess water is also not beneficial for them. Only water your caladium when you notice the surface of the soil is dry.

Too much water can cause discoloration of leaves or root rot.

Can Caladium Be Grown In Pots?

Yes, you can grow caladium in pots and other appropriate containers with drainage holes. Consider buying colorful pots to complement the caladium’s color, thereby improving your home’s appearance.

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