Artillery plants are treasured for their unique, round leaves resembling tiny cannons But sometimes these quirky houseplants start displaying atypical growth by leaning or growing sideways If your beloved artillery plant is exhibiting this peculiar behavior, don’t worry! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the common reasons for sideways growth and give you tips to get your plant back on track.
What Causes Artillery Plants to Grow Sideways?
There are several key factors that could lead to your artillery plant growing in odd, sideways directions rather than upright Here are some of the most common causes
Insufficient Light
Artillery plants thrive in bright, filtered light. Without adequate sunlight, they start reaching towards light sources, causing skewed sideways growth. If your plant sits in a dim corner, move it to a spot with ample indirect light. East or west-facing windows are ideal. Rotate the plant weekly for even growth.
Uneven Watering
Inconsistent watering confuses artillery plants, leading to abnormal growth. Overwatering suffocates the roots, while underwatering makes the plant wilt and stunts growth. Stick to a strict regimen, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out before thoroughly watering again.
Root Bound
If the roots congest the container, the frustrated plant grows sideways seeking space. Carefully repot in a container 2 inches wider, without disturbing the root ball. Use fresh, well-draining soil to encourage healthy roots.
Environmental Stress
Drafts, temperature fluctuations, and dry air stress plants. To minimize stress, maintain indoor temperatures between 65-80°F and mist leaves to boost humidity. Keep the plant away from heating/cooling vents.
Pests & Diseases
Spider mites, mealybugs, and other pests damage leaves and roots, distorting growth. Check regularly for bugs and treat any infestations fast. Root rot and other diseases can also cause unusual growth habits.
Overpruning
While pruning stimulates thick growth, overzealous cutting ruins artillery plants’ shape. Prune selectively by snipping just 1-2 growth tips at a time. Never remove more than 20% of leaves.
Correcting Sideways Growth in Artillery Plants
If your artillery plant is growing sideways already, don’t panic. With attentive care, you can set it right back on an upward growth trajectory.
Give It Bright, Indirect Light
An artillery plant deprived of adequate sunlight starts desperately reaching for light. Place it in an east or west-facing window where it receives ample filtered light. Slowly acclimate it to increased brightness.
Water Thoroughly and Consistently
Inconsistent watering disrupts healthy growth. Check if the soil is partly dry before watering your plant deeply until it drains from the bottom. Maintain this routine, never allowing the soil to dry out completely.
Repot If Root Bound
Gently remove the root ball and inspect it. If the roots are congested, repot into a container 2 inches wider with fresh soil. This gives the plant proper room to grow vertically.
Monitor For Pests
Check under leaves and stems for spider mites, mealybugs, and other pesky bugs. Take action immediately if found. Wipe leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Trim off any infested parts.
Adjust Environmental Factors
Keep the plant away from drafty areas and maintain indoor temperatures between 65-80°F. Increase humidity by misting leaves daily or using a pebble tray. This minimizes stress.
Prune Selectively
Never trim more than 20% of leaves at once. Just pinch 1-2 new growth tips at a time to avoid overpruning. This encourages compact, upright growth vs leggy sideways growth.
Stake The Plant
Use plant stakes or trellises to physically support sideways growth and gently nudge the plant upward. But ensure the stakes aren’t too tight or they may damage stems.
Encouraging Healthy Vertical Growth
Once you’ve corrected existing sideways growth issues, focus on promoting healthy upright growth for your artillery plant:
- Place the plant in bright filtered light. Rotate it weekly.
- Water thoroughly only when the top inch of soil is partly dry.
- Mist leaves often and use pebble trays to increase humidity.
- Repot annually in spring into a slightly larger pot.
- Fertilize monthly in the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
- Prune only 1-2 tips at a time to avoid overpruning.
- Monitor closely for pests and treat any issues ASAP.
- Keep leaves dust-free by wiping them down every 2 weeks.
When to Seek Help
While most sideways growth issues can be reversed with attentive care, some problems may require expert help:
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If the leaves are rapidly yellowing or wilting, rule out pests and diseases. Seek help if you can’t identify the cause.
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If the entire plant is severely drooping or dying back, look for root rot and stem damage. Consult a plant doctor if needed.
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If the wonky growth persists despite your best efforts, an horticulturist can troubleshoot special issues.
The Takeaway
Atypical sideways growth can certainly be frustrating, but don’t lose hope! In most cases, adjusting care techniques gets artillery plants back on track. With ample sunlight, consistent watering, humidity control and vigilant pest checks, your plant will soon stand tall and proud. Just be patient, stick to a regimen, and enjoy your artillery plant’s unique beauty once more.
Taxonomy Scientific name
Rockweed, Rockweed, Artillery Plant, Gunpowder Plant and Pilea microphylla.
How to fertilize Pilea Microphylla
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plants nutrients, repot your Pilea Microphylla after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Pilea Microphylla is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Pilea Microphylla prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Pilea Microphylla may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home .
Pilea Microphylla is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.
Pilea Microphylla doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Pilea Microphylla does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Pilea Microphylla should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
It’s common for Pilea Microphylla to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Pilea Microphylla is native to Worldwide.
Pilea Microphylla grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
USDA Hardiness Zone Pilea Microphylla can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 11a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Pilea Microphylla Artillery plant care & Tips.
FAQ
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Where should artillery plants be planted?
When considering where to grow artillery plants inside, choose a southern window, away from drafts. Artillery plant care includes placing the plant where day-time temperatures remain at 70 to 75 F. (21-24 C.) and 10 degrees cooler at night. Part of your artillery plant care includes keeping the soil moist, but not soaked.
Are artillery plants hardy?
Hardiness: It is hardy in USDA zones 11-12 and is typically grown as an annual or indoor plant in cooler climates. Uses: The Artillery Plant is used as an ornamental plant in rock gardens, terrariums, and as a ground cover in warm climates. It’s also popular as a houseplant due to its adaptability and ease of care.
What does an artillery plant look like?
The artillery species has plump leaves like a succulent. They are either green or variegated pink and white, one-eighth to one-half inch long, and “obovate,” or rounded and narrower at the base. The leaves are arranged in opposing pairs, like a fern frond. In nature, the species produces tiny pinkish flowers followed by brown fruits.
What is an artillery plant?
It’s also known for the explosive pollen discharge from its minuscule flowers, earning it the nickname “Artillery Plant.” Native: This plant is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, where it thrives in warm, humid conditions. It belongs to the nettle family (Urticaceae) and is part of a diverse genus with over 600 species.