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Avatar for katani
Apr 7, 2023 9:04 PM CST
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California
Hi! Okay, so I have a ghost plant succulent in a small pot. Lately, it's been losing leaves. For a while, I think it was because it was not getting enough sunlight (the lack of green on the leaves could attest to that). However, now I think it does get enough sunlight, and the leaves are looking much greener, so I'm not sure why it is losing leaves. Some of the falling leaves are withered, but some are completely fine and firm, yet they detach. I googled why and found 3 possible causes: overwatering, lack of sunlight, and propagation. The lack of sunlight has already been solved (or maybe it hasn't?). I definitely don't think I am overwatering (water it like weekly or biweekly). Propagation, from what I've read, means that the leaves are dropping to plant new ghost plants? Is that a thing? Please help me Sad I lobe my plant, but to be honest, it's probably in really bad condition right now. What should I doooo😭
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Apr 7, 2023 9:30 PM CST
Name: Abigail (Grill)
South Dakota (Zone 5a)
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It looks to me like it needs more sunlight. When they become leggy like that, (long and stretched looking) that's typically because of lack of sunlight.
We'll see what the experts have to say about it, though.
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Apr 8, 2023 6:15 AM CST
Name: Andrea Reagan
Astatula, Florida (Zone 9a)
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Welcome! when this particular plant drops its leaves they can become new plants. Can you transplant it to a slightly bigger container and let it enjoy a bit more sunshine, especially in the morning? The leaves will first grow roots, usually pinkish, and if it all goes well they will become new plants. Remember since they are succulent they need little water and drainage. Good luck!
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Apr 8, 2023 7:54 AM CST
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Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
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It's so stretched out from lack of light it's hard to tell what it even is.
Maybe this? Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense)
You can cut the stem back to encourage new growth.
The soil looks very compacted. It needs porous, well-draining soil with good drainage. Only water when soil is dry.

They don't make good indoor plants.
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Apr 8, 2023 12:44 PM CST
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- 🌹 (Zone 8b)
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Hi & welcome! I think it is getting too dry. A tiny pot like that probably dries much more quickly than a week. Fallen leaves rarely make new plants. Leaves that are knocked off while still healthy and firm can make new plants.

If the roots have rotted (overwatered,) the bottom of the stem would be dark and shriveled.

If it was mine, I would put it in a clay pot and water as often as the soil dries, as close as possible to a sunny window. Weak, stretched material does not propagate as successfully as perky, vigorous material. I would not try to cut the stem at this time.
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Avatar for MsDoe
Apr 8, 2023 5:07 PM CST
Southwest U.S. (Zone 7a)
Hello Ketani, and welcome to the forum!
Yes, it's in bad shape now, but you may still be able to bring it back. Ghost plant does tend to grow with long pendant stems, drop leaves along the stem, and keep the rosette at the end growing out. I've seen them doing well in hanging baskets. I don't know how you ended up with those long straight stems!
If it were mine, I would re-start it. The stem on the right should do fine, the one on the left is iffy. Cut them off with a node or two above the soil, the roots and stubs will most likely re-sprout.
Fallen leaves may or may not sprout, it's always worth a try. Just put them on top of the soil or in a shallow tray of potting mix, see what happens.
Cut the rosette off the top with just an inch or two of bare stem attached. Remove the leaves below the rosette, you want to put bare stem into new soil.
You'll also end up with a long piece of bare middle stem, you can try sprouting pieces of this too. Sometimes they'll start if just placed horizontally on top of the soil.
Take the top-cut piece, let it dry for a few days, then re-pot.
Use a small pot with LOTS of drainage holes. Use a cactus soil, and mix in some extra grit--I like pumice, poultry grit (chipped granite) or pea gravel. The right fast-draining pot and soil go a long way towards preventing overwatering.
You already know--it needs lots of light. It should be close to a window, and might do best with a plant light also.
If your house is cool, it might do better with warmer temperatures. A seedling heat mat can really help with this. Most succulents like 80+ degree temps and lots light, but not too much direct sunlight. Depending on your local conditions, it might do well in a bright shady spot outdoors through the summer.
The top-cut piece is most likely to grow. Give it little water until you see new growth, that means it has roots. If in proper gritty soil, you can then water regularly. Water should run right through the pot, retaining very little.
If the middle and lower cuts and leaves sprout, you could end up with plants to share!
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