Question
I recently went on vacation and left the care of my plants to my sister.  When we returned home much to my displeasure my abyssinian Red plant was in the following condition - the leaves are thin, brittle and yellow it is obviously dying - the soil is wet and the plant has had plenty of light - the soils for my indoor plants are "miracle grow moisture lock potting soil with fertilizer" - can you help me solve the mystery? I absolutely love this plant and it has sentimental value - please send me any suggestions you may have - all information is appreciated.

Answer
Mackenzie,

Is this plant a Musa plant? In other words, a type of banana plant that doesn't grow bananas? I suspect that your plant has been overwatered and that it started long before you went on vacation. A soil that is designed to hold extra water is going to be difficult to get to dry out before you water the plant again.

Move it outdoors in a semi sunny, semi shady place. This is a tropical plant from south Florida and tropical islands. It likes and needs warth and some sun. You have to prevent overwatering it. It needs to dry out well between  waterings. Insert a bamboo skewer into the soil and check it when you think it is ready for water and only water it if the skewer shows that ONLY the bottom 1 inch of soil is moist. If you keep it wet constantly or leave it sitting with it's drain tray full of water all the time the roots will rot and the plant will die.  So give it some sun and be careful about the water. The yellow leaves will fall off or you can go ahead and remove them. Out in the sun the plant will soon replace them.

Get it outside and hopefull it will come back. Good luck.

Darlene