Ask the Expert: What do I do to save my Schefflera? My schefflera is dying, I got it at my mother’s funeral in January, It’s done great until this week. I lifted up the inside pot to reveal, 3 inches of standing water, and something that I think is root rot? It’s leaves are all drooping. Can I save it? what should I do? I’ve been trying to drain the water off, and get the soil to dry, but it hasn’t yet. Any help is greatly appreciated. April
Plant Expert Reply:
Although you’ve had your plant for a few months, I suspect it is a result of a common problem that occurs with most funeral plants. Florist usually wrap funeral plants with a colorful water proof page and attach a bow. Why? because it makes a prettier presentation. This water proof paper doesn’t allow water to escape which for a funeral home vistition this is great. However, not so good for the plant in the long run. When you receive a plant from a funeral service remove the decorative wrapping. This will allow the plant to drain off excess water. Check the plant. Does it need to be repotted? If so, repot the plant.
In your case, your Schefflera was not able to drain excess water from the roots. Remove any wrapping that was around the plant or outer pot. Check the root and snip off any rotted roots and you might want to repot the plant. Dampen the soil so that it is moist but not soggy. Then give the plant sometime to recover. Be sure to keep the soil evenly moist. It might take a while but the plant should recover. Good Luck and keep me posted.
FAQs
When you water make sure the soak the water completely and that any excess water drains quickly and easily. You can perform an easy test to determine the water needs of your plant. Test the soil before watering by sticking finger in soil up to first knuckle — this will help you determine if the plant needs water.
What to write in a thank you card for a funeral plant? ›
“Our whole family thanks you for the special funeral flower arrangement that you sent. It was one of our favourites and helped to brighten our day.” “Thank you for the gorgeous arrangement. They were so thoughtful, and we feel so grateful to have you in our lives.”
What is the best plant to give after a death? ›
While a white lily, the symbol of rebirth and purity, is the classic sympathy plant, a hydrangea is another good choice. The deceased's relatives can plant a hydrangea and watch it bloom year after year. This is a good sympathy plant for someone who wants to create a small memorial garden for their loved one.
What plant is commonly given at funerals? ›
The most traditional funeral flowers center around the lily. The lily can be a powerful symbol of the spirit of a loved one that offers hope and encouragement to a grieving family.
How long do funeral plants last? ›
Since most floral arrangements for funerals are expected to last for a few days through the wake and memorial service, it is imperative that you keep them fresh the entire time.
Can I put my peace lily in water? ›
Peace lilies are wonderfully resilient indoor plants that adapt well to water culture. Growing a peace lily in water can make your plant healthier, as it can reduce the risk of root rot and other soil-borne diseases. Plus, it gives you a unique-looking houseplant that requires minimal maintenance.
How do you thank you for the plant sent to a funeral? ›
Here are a couple of examples of thoughtful messages: “Thank you for the beautiful flower arrangement you sent to the church. It was one of our favorites and brightened up our home for many days after the service.” We greatly appreciate your donation to [charity] in [name of deceased]'s name.
How do you thank a plant? ›
Since plants do so much for us, it would be a lovely gesture to give them some extra attention in return. So make the effort to get to know these living things. Water them regularly, give them a feed, and polish their leaves until they shine. Plants are life itself.
How do I thank everyone after a funeral? ›
"Thank you for your support and kindness." "Thank you for attending _____'s funeral. It meant so much for us to see you there." "We appreciate your support during this difficult time in our lives."
Is a plant an appropriate sympathy gift? ›
Potted plants are an excellent sympathy gift. Plants and flowers are common gifts to give someone who has lost a loved one recently. They can be given to almost anyone, too. Whether you are very close to the person or only an acquaintance, plants are a nice way to show you are thinking of them.
“Sending flowers is a very common way for people to express their sympathy to a grieving family,” explained John Adolf, Director of Adolf Funeral Services. “There are certainly varying opinions regarding sending a fresh flower arrangement or having a plant arrangement delivered. There is no right or wrong decision.
What plant represents sympathy? ›
Your gesture of sending sympathy flowers can bring light into a difficult time, providing tangible evidence of love and support. 1. Lilies: Lilies are a classic choice for sympathy flowers, often associated with funerals due to their symbolic meaning of the restored innocence of the soul of the deceased.
What is a memorial plant? ›
A lifetime of fresh air.
A memorial plant is a type of living memorial that incorporates cremated ashes into the soil to create a truly unique testament to one's life.
Why do people give plants at funerals? ›
Flowers have a spiritual significance, and have always been used to symbolize the life cycle from birth to death. They represent not only love and sympathy but also eternity and immortality. A person's life is symbolized by the fragility of a flower, where proper conditions are necessary for them to grow and blossom.
What flower symbolizes grief? ›
The lily is the flower most commonly associated with bereavement, specifically when it's white in color. White lilies symbolize innocence, the rebirth of the soul, and purity. Additionally, the Oriental lily signifies sympathy, and the stargazer lily symbolizes eternal life.
How do you keep funeral flowers alive? ›
Pick the funeral flowers you want to preserve as a keepsake as soon as you can after the funeral. The fresher the better. To keep their colour, re-cut the stems if you can and run them under cold water. This will help keep them fresh.
How often do you water a sympathy plant? ›
The plant will droop a bit when thirsty, telling you when it needs a drink. If you pay attention to when it usually starts to sag, you can plan to water one day before it generally happens. Watering about once a week and spritzing leaves with water throughout the summer will help keep your peace lily hydrated.
How do you keep funeral flower arrangements fresh? ›
Hanging Process
- Cut each flower stem at a slant and remove extra leaves and foliage.
- Group the stems together and tie with string or rubber bands.
- Hang the bouquet upside down in a warm, dry, dark space with ample airflow.
- Gently stuff each flower head with paper towels, cotton balls, or silica gel to retain the shape.
After the service, close friends or family will usually take any flowers home straight away or collect them a day or two later. The average flower arrangement will last up to two weeks before being thrown away or composted by the person who took it home.
