Plant Problem: Leaves Droopy and Dull Looking

I was wondering what kind of plant this is and what I am doing wrong? I brought it home from work and now it looks like it’s dying. The leaves used to be shiny and green but now they’re dull and limp.

Thanks!

Hi Sharon,

Your plant looks like a Schefflera also called an Umbrella Plant because of the way the leaves hang down. If the soil is dry, the plant needs a lot more water. Water it really well until the water comes out the drip holes in the bottom of the pot and then allow the plant to sit in the drip saucer filled with water for about 15 minutes. Water again when the top 50% of the soil has dried out. If the soil is wet and the leaves of your plant look like that, you have over watered, destroyed the roots of the plant, and the plant leaves cannot get enough water to survive. Hopefully it is a dry soil problem. Let me know what you think.

These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in