A plant that stays the same for weeks is not necessarily sick. Check the season, the light and the pot before worrying.
Common reasons
- It is resting. Many plants slow down or stop in winter or in the hottest months.
- Not enough light. This is the most common reason indoors. Without light, a plant has no energy to grow.
- The roots have no room, or have been in the same soil for years and the nutrients are used up. Roots coming out of the drainage hole are a clue.
- Roots are unhappy from soil that stays wet.
- It has not been fed during its growing season.
What to do
- Move the plant closer to a bright window, out of harsh direct sun, and see if it responds over a few weeks.
- Lift the plant out of its pot and look. White, firm roots circling the bottom mean it is root-bound. Brown, soft roots mean too much water.
- If it is root-bound, move to a pot one size larger with fresh mix, in the growing season.
- In the growing season, feed lightly at the strength on the label. Do not feed in the resting season.
- Wait. Growth after a change can take several weeks to show.
When to scan
If the plant also has yellow leaves, spots or a mushy stem, take a daylight photo and scan it. Growth that stopped together with other signs is worth a second look.