Question
QUESTION: Two things have happened to these two indoor plants suddenly.
Kentia Palm - have had for 10 years. Suddenly has begun leaning over to one side. Nothing has changed. No cats. No change in light as far as I can see. Water and fertilization the same. Pot is about 18" diameter.
Norfolk Pine. Have had for almost 20 years. Also suddenly leaning over. Right now it is about 12' tall. Could it be the pot is too small 2' diameter.
ANSWER: Hi Porg,

There are a number of possible causes of a plant's leaning to one side.

If a plant is not rotated regularly, it will tend to grow toward the light and eventually lean in that direction.

As a plant gets very tall, it is bound to lean in one direction or another even if light exposure is even on all sides. Indoor plants do not get as much light and wind as outdoor plants. The light and wind both help to strengthen stems and keep them sturdy as they grow taller. This doesn't happen with older indoor plants, so eventually they start to lean. With some plants - but not palms or Norfolk pines - pruning back can control the height and the leaning.

A plant can get dislodged slightly in its pot and start to lean. The lean becomes more severe over time.

There are several possible remedies. You can try repositioning the plant in the pot. Pull the entire rootball up from the pot by several inches. Then tilt it slightly so that the main stem is perfectly vertical. Then push the plant back into its pot at this slight angle. Tamp the soil down so that is stays in the pot in this position.

Rotate the plant so that the weak side is facing the light source.

Pruning is often an option, but not with these two plant species because once the growing tip is severed, the plant will stop growing.

Finally, you can stake the plant so that it stays in an upright position.

You will note that I did not mention the solution that you alluded to and that is most commonly considered - using a larger pot. A larger pot will not straighten out a leaning plant. If you piled lots of soil on top of the rootball that might help hold it upright. Unfortunately, this mounding will rot the lower portion of the stem that gets covered by the mound of added soil. If the problem is that the pot itself is tipping over, then the solution is to use a heavier (terra cotta or ceramic) pot to add more ballast (weight) to the base of the plant.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]



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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you. That was extremely informative. I forgot to mention that the plants, especially the Kentia palm has started to brown out at the edges. Does that have to do with the quality of light? I have not fertilised them since I had them. Should I begin to fertilise as well as to move them towards the light.  Thanks again

Answer
The brown tips on your Kentia could be caused by improper watering, using hard water, or inadequate light.

If your tap water is on the hard side, then switch to filtered or distilled water.

Your Kentia should be in bright indirect light not far from an uncovered window, but protected from the direct rays of the sun.

Allow the top quarter of the soil to dry out in between through waterings. Make sure the pot never sits in water.

Monthly fertilizer at half strength might help a bit, but it will have no effect on the brown tips.

~Will