I have never seen anything like this? I’ve separated it from the rest of my plants, it’s the only one with this problem! Why is it purple??

  • Spat_U_Later@lemmy.world
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    6 hours ago

    This lengthening of a succulent is a process known as Etiolation. It’s not getting enough light, so it’s stretching out as much as it can to try and get more light to each petal. The color change is also likely from the lack of sunlight as well. I’d suggest moving it to a window where it gets more light.

  • Donut@leminal.space
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    5 hours ago

    Either too much or not enough sunlight causes some succulents to turn purple, and judging by the growth pattern and lighter colour of the leaves, it seems like it doesn’t get enough sunlight. It being so focused in those areas where leaves are attached would probably indicate it’s trying to heal up some wounds, and trying to protect it from sunlight.

    As to why it’s dropping seemingly healthy leaves, I have a theory. If I see this correctly, the roots are popping out everywhere, indicating that it has nowhere to go. This will slow down growth and it will drop older leaves in order to sustain the growth.

    That’s just a theory though. Personally, I would repot it into a bigger (plastic) pot with drainage, and place it somewhere that gets a bit more sunlight and track how it’s growing.

    Would also appreciate a higher res picture to definitely say it’s the roots and maybe check out the specks on the leaves, as that could be a disease.

    • Araithya@lemmy.worldOP
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      5 hours ago

      Time to break out the grow lights I guess. I had no idea they could turn purple, it freaked me out! The specks on the leaves are just soil from me planting another plant next to it, just haven’t dusted it off yet. Is it okay to replant it while it’s fragile?

      • Donut@leminal.space
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        4 hours ago

        Giving it more water and some light might help in the short term, but if it doesn’t stabilise soon it might not make a difference in the end. Just make sure not to drastically change the light exposure as it might get sunburnt

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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    6 hours ago

    Drooping and dropping leaves is usually lack of water, but who knows with succulents

    I’d assume that’s what it is tho. And the purple is just what they do instead of browning

    • IMALlama@lemmy.world
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      6 hours ago

      Not a succulent expert by any means, but the fact that it’s growing some air roots and the dropped leaves also are trying to root also seems to point to not enough water.

      We have a big jade that will air root when it’s too dry. Before it gets to that point it’s leaves will look noticeably less plump.

      Succulents do require watering, but it’s very important to not overdo it. Our Jade is probably only watered ever two months or so when it’s outside (on an east facing porch in zone 6) during the summer and even less frequently in the winter. I know it well enough to be able to eyeball the plant at this point.

      • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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        5 hours ago

        I didn’t even see that on the leaf…

        Can you grow a new plant off just a leaf or would it be like normal plants and just keep the leaf alive if there’s not some “branch” with it to establish a clone?

      • Donut@leminal.space
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        5 hours ago

        I didn’t even see the air root at the back, good catch. So not enough sunlight and not enough water to sustain the plant