[existencebox]

It's funny you say that. I've killed two in the last few months. I've tried super low light, normal light, and my succulent shelf. I've tried watering regularly, and never watering. The leaves just reliably turn this soft brown and then it dies back to the vine itself then entirely dies off. (Seattle, indoors)

Nothing makes me feel quite as incompetent at gardening as when I'm able to kill the plants everyone else says should be foolproof ><

[Vrondi]

It is impossible to over-water this plant. It will grow in only water, without soil, provided the water is rich in nutrients. I stuck a tiny sprig in the corner of my aquarium, hanging over the top edge, and it has now grown almost across the entire room ( https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvN2CzyomlrtiddUmysi3I51CdE39A ). Make sure there are several sets of "nodes" or bumps on the stem that are under water or soil level, and keep soil really moist in general.

[existencebox]

Ugh that looks amazing, I'm so jealous. Looks like you get more light than I do, but I'll try on the "more water" side, as well as fertilizing. Thanks for the tips!

[winslow]

Just to clarify are you getting cuttings that are dying or established plants in a container? If you are getting cuttings make sure that you are cutting nodes and not just the leaf steam if you are trying to propagate. I've added a video that I've used to know where to cut the vine for propagating.

[1] https://youtu.be/xpmdo_0CZrU?t=110

[existencebox]

I'm getting established plants in a container, from a local garden place. Small (2-3 inch) pots, but established.

The _ONLY_ thing I can think of after watching your video is that the house gets cold at night, since we only keep the bedroom fully heated, so my current attempt is on my cactus shelf which I keep warmer.

(The link is appreciated regardless, if I ever got one to "stick" I'd love to propagate it)

[pvaldes]

Chills can easily kill it. In winter's Seattle, try non-tropical species first. Could suit you much better.

[existencebox]

I've generally avoided tropical species exactly as you say, but after having decent luck with some of the "you can't kill this" plants (zz plant, sansevieria, some ferns/aloe/simple cacti) I figured I'd throw a wider net.

Unfortunately our house both gets _very little_ light and is often quite cold so that already precludes a lot of options. Some day I'd love to live somewhere that allows the "room full of giant bushy plants indoors" setup.

[slavik81]

I have had the same pothos plant for the past decade. Once it was a single small plant. It's now a half dozen large plants. Some suggestions:

- If you're fertilizing them, maybe stop doing that. Fertilizer is good when done right, but it's easy to overdo it and burn your plants. Pothos can survive for years in the same potting soil, so stick to plain water and see how they do.

- Give them a small cup of water twice a week. A total of 250mL per week is probably good.

- Put them anywhere near a window, but maybe not in direct sunlight.

- Keep the temperature around 20-25°C (room temperature).

That's basically all I do. The only time I've managed to harm them is from using too much fertilizer.

[bradleyjg]

If it makes you feel any better I also manage to repeatedly kill plants with a reputation for being unkillable. I just now have a broad leaf plant which has somehow decided to bend towards the floor instead of standing up straight. with all the fronds upside down it is quickly dying.

[pvaldes]

If you post a link with a photo I could take a look to it and maybe find the problem.

[bradleyjg]

Appreciate any advice you could offer: https://imgur.com/a/0s7J0WQ

[pvaldes]

Looks like a Dracaena fragrans, a tropical tree from Africa that is a very popular houseplant. Unfortunately your plant seems very ill. Roots and stem are dead and probably hollow. Only the upper part is alive for now, but unable to get water and nutrients so is dying.

This happens typically by a fungus attack when the plant roots are left in stagnant water that gets too cold at night. The fungus kills the plant from below.

At this state your best try would be to discard the old plant and use the green part as a cutting. Unroot the plant, use a sharp knife to remove slices of black and rotten tissue (Work from below towards the upper part). With luck you will find green and healthy tissue eventually.

Now clean this upper part and cut all leaves by half (to reduce evaporation in a rootless plant), if the stem is wrinkled put it in clean warm water for an hour. If available, put some cinnamon powder over the wounded area, let dry for a few hours and then repot in a new recipient with some moisture. You can use a half plastic water bottle with holes at the bottom, (thus you can take a look for new roots).

The plant will probably not do too much until spring, but this is normal. To be successful you will need a warm area (71-75Fº), some light, and good soil.

About the soil. The cheap stuff in your photo is probably the main reason for your problems to keep plants alive. You are using a poor quality mix of compost and polystyrene, too dry and low in nutrients. Don't recycle it!. Just pick some standard soil from a garden, an orchard or (even better) a forest. Normal earthworm soil will be great.

Is still possible to save it. Dracaenas root easily from cuttings (the inferior leaves will be sacrified in the process by the plant but new leaves will regrow soon after the new roots are ready). Good luck

[bradleyjg]

Thanks!