Common Problems and Pests in Succulent Care—and How to Fix Them Succulents and aroids are very popular among plant lovers in Australia because they look great, don't need much care, and can live both indoors and outdoors. PlantArk is the best place to buy and sell succulents online in Australia. We make it easy to buy and sell both rare and common plants. We have a lot of different plants, from the odd Hoyas and Begonias to the Mexican Fire Cracker (Echeveria setosa) and Lithops. The truth is that even the toughest plants have problems from time to time. It doesn't matter if you are taking care of your first Hoya carnosa pink or an entire yard full of Alocasia macrorrhizos (Elephant Ears). This guide will help you recognize and fix common problems that come up when you are taking care of plants and succulents. 1. Too much water and root rot Succulents like Firesticks (Euphorbia tirucalli), Blue Chalksticks, and Haworthia Cymbiformis often have problems when they get too much water. Because succulents can naturally keep water in their roots and leaves, you don't have to water them very often. If you give a plant too much water, the leaves will turn yellow, the stems will go soft, and the roots will rot. The answer is to give the dirt some water after it has been dry for a while. Use a mix that drains well and containers with holes in them so that water can escape. Change how much you water plants like Hoya pubicalyx and Hoya Green Exotica that need a little more water than dry succulents. Just make sure the soil doesn't get too wet. 2. The process by which the leaves shrink and fall apart On the other hand, cacti can look sad and shriveled if they are underwater for too long. The Haworthia Tessellata and Haworthia "snow scene" plants may start to wrinkle or shrink if they don't get enough water for a long time. Take a look at the leaves to find the answer. It is time to water them if they look like they have wrinkles. To stay alive, succulents can handle dry conditions, but they still need to be watered regularly during their busy growth seasons. Use the "soak and dry" method, which means giving the plants a lot of water and then letting them dry out. 3. Pest Problems: Mealybugs, Aphids, and Spider Mites Pests have the potential to cause damage to succulents and aroids. These bugs are very small and white, and they look like fluffy cotton. Alocasia microrrhizos, which is also known as "miniature elephant ears," Hoya Mathilde, and Echeveria setosa all have a lot of them. These kinds of plants have a lot of aphids.
Solution: Isolate affected plants. Wipe off pests with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab or spray neem oil weekly. Controlling pests on a regular basis helps safeguard your collection and ensure that your plants continue to flourish. 4. Light can cause stress and burns In Australia, succulents can lose their leaves if they are in the sun for too long, even though most succulents like the sun. Lithops, Blue Chalksticks, and Firesticks are especially prone to sunburn when moved too quickly from shade to full sun. Solution: Acclimate plants gradually to direct sunlight. Morning sun and afternoon shade are ideal for many varieties. If you see that your Hoyas or Begonias are losing their color or getting burnt spots, you might want to bring them inside and put them near a window that gets a lot of light. 5. Etiolation (Making Room for Light) Some cacti and aroids stretch in a way that isn't natural when they don't get enough light, which makes them look "leggy." Haworthia limifolia, Mexican Fire Cracker, and Hoya chouke will lose their tight shape and color if they are left in dark places for a long time. It is suggested that plants get at least four to six hours of bright, indirect light every day. If natural light isn't enough, especially in cooler parts of Australia, you might want to use a grow light. 6. Soil that is hard and doesn't drain well A lot of indoor plants, including succulents, need dirt that drains quickly and lets air flow through it. When plants like Hoyas, Begonias, and Alocasias are grown in pots, the dirt can become compacted over time. This can suffocate the roots and cause them to rot. To fix this, you should repot the plant every one to two years with chunky aroid or a mix of succulents and cacti. Use pumice or perlite to assist the water to drain away. PlantArk sells pre-mixed soils that are great for a lot of different plants through our online succulents shop in Australia. This soil can be bought by buyers. 7. Cold hurts and freezes There is a chance that frost will show up in Australia during the winter. Tropical plants like Alocasia macrorhizos, Philodendron Xanadu, and sensitive Lithops can be hurt by winter temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius. Stems that are soft and leaves that have turned black are signs of this.
When the temperature drops quickly, you can bring plants inside or cover them with frost cloth. Before you depart, make sure they aren't sitting on window sills that are cold or drafty. Hoyas, in particular, appreciate it when the temperature inside or indoors is the same all year. 8. Fungus-based diseases and leaf spots Powdery mildew and leaf spot are two fungal diseases that can happen when there isn't enough air flow or when the plant is too wet. Begonias and Hoyas are often the plants that get these diseases. A white soft growth, spots, or color changes are some of the most important signs. The answers to this problem are to let more air flow through the plant, avoid soaking the leaves, and get rid of the affected leaves. Fungicide sprays can be useful, but you should always check the package to make sure they won't hurt your plants. Finally, some words: If you want to keep your succulents healthy, still, cacti, aroids, and tropical plants like Hoyas are more hardy than many other types of plants. However, they do need extra care and attention. It is possible to tell them apart by learning about their needs, which include light, water, soil, and safety from pests. Long-term plant health depends on proactive care. This is true whether you're taking care of the geometric beauty of a Haworthia Tessellata, the bright stems of a Firesticks, or the beautiful branches of a Hoya carnosa white. PlantArk's goal is to help plant lovers all over the country reach their goals. Our company is the most well-known online succulent shop in Australia. We offer a place for people to buy and sell plants in Australia, as well as expert tips on how to take care of plants at all stages of their lives. Our large selection of succulents, aroids, and tropical plants, such as Hoya Jungle Green and Dwarf Elephant Ears, will give you the confidence you need to make your perfect home jungle.
