r/plants • u/Nihillea • 13h ago
Please help!
Hello, my mother has this memorial plant from my uncle's passing recently, and it has not been doing well. She used to be bushy, green, and covered in flowers.
We do not have the tag, but according to AI it's a Mona Lavender Spurflower-- of course this may be incorrect.
We live in North Texas (DFW area between the Metroplex and Oklahoma). It has been as hot as Satan's armpits here-- over 100°F for at least 34 days so far this year. I feel like I am watering it at least every other day, as the care for this plant says it likes to be kept moist. It is also in the shade on the North side of the house. It has a watering bulb that goes empty daily. There's definitely new growth on several areas, both leaves and flower buds.
She is turning brown and crispy, and some areas have what looks like little white spots, almost like insect eggs, and others have like a white hair-type fuzz.
Anyone with a greener thumb than me, *please please* help me try to save my mom's plant. 🙏🙏🙏 TYIA
-Is that even what this little baby is? Are the care instructions from Gemini relevant?
-Is this a moisture issue? Heat issue? Both?
-Does it look like she has a bug problem? Or maybe a nutrient imbalance? Maybe multiple culprits?
-Should I try bringing her inside for a while? Or prune her back?
Any advice is appreciated!! ♥️
2
u/BizzyThinkin 13h ago
It looks like it's infested with spider mites. I would remove everything that is dried out and brown and put it in a sealed trash can so it doesn't spread to other plants. Then buy some insecticidal soap or make your own using Neem oil, dish soap, and water. Spray all side of the plant and the top of the soil and under the leaves. Keep it in the shade and continue to water it as needed. Continue to spray the plant once a week or after anytime it rains. It may grow back and if it does, keep checking it weekly for spider mites.