Basic Aluminium Plant Care
Aluminium Plants outgrow pots very quickly which can mean they are a bit difficult to care for. But they are definitely worth it! Below you’ll find everything you need to know to care for an Aluminium Plant.
| Light |
Bright Indirect LightI love the sunshine but too much direct light will damage my leaves. |
| Water |
Water ModeratelyI don’t like my soil to be too dry or too soggy. Little and often is what I’m after. |
| Humidity |
Medium HumidityPlease make sure the air isn’t too dry, otherwise I won’t be a happy plant. |
| Soil |
Potting SoilI need soil specifically for indoor plants as it retains the right amount of water. |
Bright, indirect light is best
It’s important that you don’t put your Aluminium Plant in any direct light (especially in summer). The intense light can scorch the leaves. Find somewhere with nice bright but indirect sunlight.
Water your Aluminium Plant little and often
Aluminium Plants like to have even moisture in their potting mix. They don’t like waterlogged soil or super dry mix so we recommend watering little but often.
During winter, when light and temperature levels are lower, cut back on watering to avoid root rot.
Aluminium Plants need high humidity
Aluminium Plants thrive in environments with high humidity. The easiest ways to boost humidity is misting, using a pebble tray or buying a humidifier.
Room temperature is ideal
Aluminium Plants don’t need you to increase the temperature for them. They are fine in room temperature so as long as you are comfortable, they will be too.
Try to keep them away from cold temperatures such as drafty windows or AC vents.
Only fertilise in spring/summer
You only want to feed your Aluminium Plant in spring and summer when it is warmer and there is more growth to support. Use a water soluble fertiliser at less than the recommended strength to avoid fertiliser burn.
Propagate by using stem cutting
It’s super easy to propagate an Aluminium Plant if you know the right steps. The most successful way to propagate is through stem cuttings. Make sure that each cutting has at least one node as this is where the root will form from.
Once you have taken a cutting, place it in water and after a few weeks repot the cutting into fresh potting mix.
Unfortunately, Aluminium Plants are toxic
Keep your Aluminium Plants well away from pets and children as they are toxic when ingested.
Aluminium Plant FAQs
Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the Aluminium Plant.
Can an Aluminium Plant tolerate direct sunlight?
Bright but indirect sunlight is best for the Aluminium Plant as too much direct light can scorch and burn the leaves. In terms of lower light, whilst it can adapt to these environments, it will often lead to stunted and smaller growth.
How often do I need to water my Aluminium Plant?
Aluminium Plants thrive when their soil is evenly moist which means the little but often approach is best when watering them. They don’t like to go from soggy to dry extremes so it’s about finding the right balance.
Are Aluminium Plants toxic?
Unfortunately, Aluminium Plants are toxic which means you want to keep them away from any pets or children that might be tempted to nibble at the leaves.
Are Aluminium Plants low maintenance?
The most difficult thing about caring for Aluminium Plants is that they outgrow their pots at a rapid pace. Their strong root systems can even break through planters as they are quite invasive plants so regularly pruning or repotting is a must.
Why is my Aluminium Plant dying?
If you notice issues cropping up with your Aluminium Plant, then the first thing to look at is the soil. Watering issues are the biggest killer of Aluminium Plants so check if the soil is bone dry or waterlogged. Then monitor environmental factors such as sunlight, temperature and humidity levels to see what needs to be adjusted.
Common Problems with your Aluminium Plant
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
Why does my Aluminium Plant have brown leaves?
Brown leaves on Aluminium Plants are caused by quite a few different factors so we recommend going through them one by one to figure out which is the cause. The main factors are: not enough sunlight, watering issues or too much direct light.
Why is my Aluminium Plant wilting?
If you see that your Aluminium Plant is starting to wilt, then it suggests that your plant isn’t getting enough water. Check the soil to confirm that the potting mix is dry before slowly reintroducing watering.
Why are my Aluminium Plant's leaves fading?
Too much intense direct sunlight can cause the leaves on your Aluminium Plant to fade. Move your plant to a slightly shadier spot in your home.
What is causing my Aluminium Plant to have yellow leaves?
If the leaves throughout your Aluminium Plant are turning yellow and looked quite scorched then it may be caused by too much sunlight.
However, if the occasional bottom leaf on your Aluminium Plant turns yellow then this is most probably caused by natural ageing.
Why is my Aluminium Plant drooping?
There are two more common causes of drooping Aluminium Plant leaves. Firstly, if your Aluminium Plant is receiving too much sunlight this can cause the leaves to become quite scorched and droop down. If this is happening to your plant then move it to a slightly shadier location during the sunniest months of the year and this should stop your Aluminium Plant from dropping down so much.
Drooping leaves on an Aluminium Plant can also be caused by a lack of moisture. We recommend checking the moisture levels in the soil immediately before adjusting your watering schedule. Watering either more frequently, or giving your Aluminium Plant a bit more water each time should help to prevent your plant from drooping.
Why is my Aluminium Plant curling?
There are a few different factors that might lead the leaves on your Aluminium Plant to curl. This can be caused by either underwatering, a lack of humidity or temperature stress.
The best thing to do to figure out why your Aluminium Plant has curling leaves is to inspect the soil to see if the potting mix is dry and if the roots are crispy. If so, then this suggests a lack of water is causing your Aluminium Plant to curl.
You can also use a humidity monitor or digital thermometer to see if there is an issue with any of these factors which is causing your Aluminium Plant to curl.
