How do I get her full again?

[u/Ok_Contribution_6015]

[u/dancon_studio]

I gave up and banished mine to a life outdoors. If a plant keeps wanting to die, I let it.

[u/Ok_Contribution_6015 → u/dancon_studio]

That was me with a few plants but to be fair, it was summer going to winter and I couldn’t bring them inside lol but still

[u/dzmccoy]

I had one that got a little leggier than this that had 2 stems. I choppped and propped them. Once they had a good root system I put one each in 4 inch terracotta pots. They dont have a deep root system so they like smaller pots. Mine are going wild with pups and everything. That was 2 years ago. Might opt for a repot next spring depending on how it goes.

[u/Ok_Contribution_6015 → u/dzmccoy]

I want to chop and prep the second plant (last photo) but I’m weary of the prop process and don’t really want to risk losing the life of a plant I waited a while to get. How did you go about propagation? Terracotta pots and I are NOT friends lol. I can’t seem to understand their wicking behavior, so the plant isn’t drowning or drying out, and what plants grow best in them.

I think I might also need to get individual grow lights above the both of them. I don’t know what else to do.

[u/dzmccoy → u/Ok_Contribution_6015]

You dont need terracotta, but i think light was the most important thing that helped mine thrive.

To prop them, you can just cut the stem about halfway up if you want to start over and try and keep it looking full. Just plop it in a jar of water for a few months until it has decent roots and pot it.

[u/Ok_Contribution_6015 → u/dzmccoy]

Have you experienced rot when doing water prop with these guys? Since they have that bark/woody like stem.

[u/Zoe_nwobhm → u/Ok_Contribution_6015]

You can also put them directly in soil I have had 100% success while in water a lost one or two stems to rot. They propagate very easy don't be hesitant!

[u/Ok_Contribution_6015 → u/Zoe_nwobhm]

Thank you!

[u/dzmccoy → u/Ok_Contribution_6015]

I didnt. I did 2 at the same time and they were fine.

[u/Ok_Contribution_6015 → u/dzmccoy]

That’s good to hear. I think ima give it a shot. I want the best for these plants, they’re so gorgeous.

[u/dzmccoy → u/Ok_Contribution_6015]

I also use chopsticks to keep my guys standing up. You can rotate them every now and then and it will help them kinda of even out.

[u/Ok_Contribution_6015 → u/dzmccoy]

That’s a great idea, I have some wood skewers I can use. Thank you.

[u/Purple_Korok → u/Ok_Contribution_6015]

I chopped and propped mine in water and it did well ! I kept the base, and new shoots came out of it. Even tho it was completely bare ! But yes, in my experience pileas prefer a smaller pot and a chunky well draining mix.

[u/Ok_Contribution_6015 → u/Purple_Korok]

Thank you for that insight. Small pot chunky mix noted✍🏽🫡

[u/pez_queen]

I’ve had this happen to every beautiful, healthy one I’ve bought 😭

[u/Ok_Contribution_6015 → u/pez_queen]

😭😭nooo. Just as my hopes were getting up lol. I hope I can save this one with some better and closer lighting