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Aerial roots

11 years ago

I have a couple plants that started branching and I recently noticed at the base of the branches they are all growing 1 - 2 long roots. Does this indicate the plant is looking for more water? Would it be really easy to cut off and plant the branches since they already have roots? The plants seem relatively healthy except for a couple lower leaves wrinkling, but I can't figure out if it's from over watering or underwatering. They have no response to water, and I've been leaving them for a week or more with no water in a gritty mix.

Comments (4)

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Many plants grow aerial roots (I am assuming you are talking about succulents?) There are some that grow lots of roots and look really hairy like Adromiscus cristatus - see photo - and many more:

    Others grow some roots, like Aeonium , jade, and more. Week without water (for succulents) shouldn't be a problem unless you are in very hot and dry climate.

  • 11 years ago

    My plants are next to a window, which is probably kind of chilly but the room temperature is steady around 73. They don't get much light though. Should I be watering even less? All of my succulents are looking stressed/have wrinkled lower leaves but still show new growth. It's not letting me post a photo right now, but my three plants are on long stems and the stems have a root or two along them and then where it branches there are roots growing.

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Aerial roots should be no problem at all. And temps around 73 are warm enough, my succulents are now in the basement (most of them), under artificial lights, and temps are about 50*F at night, and probably no higher than 65*F during the day. I am more concerned about ..."looking stressed/have wrinkled lower leaves"... that may be caused by either over- or under-watering. Pls. post photos when you can, it may be easier to figure out what is happening. Lack of light is also bit of a problem, as succulents need lots of it (most of them). But that would not make your plants 'wrinkly', rather lanky - stretching for light (etiolated).

    Rina

    Here are 3 different plants, each growing aerial roots: top left is Kalanchoe tomentosa, top right Kalanchoe beharensis 'Fang', bottom: Aeonium 'Kiwi'.

  • 11 years ago

    Sorry it took a while my computer was acting funny. Here are some photos - they're all experiencing the same wrinkling, but only the three together are growing aerial roots. Excuse the sad etioliation... it's something I have to live with given my location.

    All three of these have aerial roots, and all three have wrinkling lower leaves.

    This one was doing great, then one day one leaf turned yellow and the rest drooped and wrinkled. It has been like this for a few weeks now with no change.

    Bought this one in this sad state a while ago - hasn't changed much since I got it. It had a really good root system though so hopefully when it gets accustomed to the gritty mix it will perk up a bit.