Move Money Plant to bigger pot for better growth

My plants get lots of morning sun, but some leaves are turning yellow. What is wrong and how do I fix this problem?

Adeline Lim

Your Money Plants’ small pots will dry out quickly under sunny conditions. You may want to move them into bigger pots, which will provide more root space and retain more moisture.

You can also install a moistened moss pole, which the stems can latch on to via their aerial roots, for a tidier look and more natural growth habit.

Although this species can adapt to higher light levels, it is better to keep them in a spot that gets filtered sunlight for about four to six hours a day.

Frangipani needs a well-draining, sunny location to thrive

My husband and I planted a frangipani tree in our garden more than 10 years ago. It was thriving until a couple of years ago, when it started shedding most of its leaves. It now barely sprouts any new ones, let alone flowers. We bought another tree some seven years ago and it has not grown. What is wrong with our trees?

Long Ai Ming

The issues you are facing may be due to poor soil conditions.

In general, this plant is a drought-tolerant species that requires aerated, well-draining soil and all-day sunlight to grow well.

Over the years, with heavy rain and foot traffic, soil around the plant’s root zone could have become compacted. With Singapore’s clay-like soil, such conditions can lead to poor drainage and aeration, causing root health to fail.

Poor soil drainage can be difficult to correct. If water ponds in the root zone, you may need to engage a specialist in drainage works to channel water away from the plant.

Compacted soil can be corrected by forking the soil, taking care to avoid damaging any roots while doing so. Incorporate organic matter into the soil to improve its structure. Also, fertilise your trees regularly.

In the photos, there is plenty of turf near the trunks of your trees. Grass-cutting may damage the bark and trunk of trees, so remove the surrounding grass to avoid damaging the trunks.

Instead of grass, try applying a layer of coarse pine bark. This can prevent weeds from growing and improve the overall appearance of the tree base. Moreover, the loose nature of pine bark mulch means it will not retain excessive moisture.

Grow Indian Borage in bigger pot

Why is my plant balding?

Jeremy Wong

Your Indian Borage plant appears to have been kept in a small pot for a long time. In such a situation, a plant that is stressed from a lack of water will become pot-bound and shed its leaves. It will also lack the nutrients needed for growth.

You can also propagate new plants by taking tip cuttings from your current plant and rooting them in separate pots. After taking cuttings from the parent plant, it can be discarded. Prune regularly for a tidier and more attractive growth habit.

Shelter aloe vera plant from rain

Why are there black spots on my aloe vera plant? I water it weekly and fertilise it monthly.  

Sindy Ang 

These black spots are a common issue with this plant. They are often caused by exposure to rain, which can injure the leaves, or a soaked root zone. Spots on infected leaves are permanent, but the leaves can be pruned.

Grow your plant under a clear shelter so that it can be protected from rain but still get good air circulation and plenty of light – at least four hours of direct sunlight a day in an apartment setting. A lack of light will lead to long, floppy, disease-prone leaves. Keep it in well-draining soil, as it detests wet feet.

You may also want to divide the plant and pot the suckers separately, as the current pot looks crowded.