Why do the leaves on my plant have reddish spotted leaves?Updated 3 years ago

Does your plant look like it's bleeding? Yikes! Red-spotted leaves are an indication of edema. This symptom is when the plant absorbs too much water, and the transpiration process doesn't keep up with the intake. It can also show up as bumps or blisters on the leaf surface. This symptom is water pressure that eventually bursts the cells leaving this visible scar on the leaf. Now, blow into a paper bag to calm down. We're going to tell you how to fix it. Breathe, breathe now. Repeat.

Try these remedies to see if your plant heals.

• Use well-draining growing media if you have transplanted recently. Make sure you are using an appropriate soil mix for your plant. Some plants are picky about the soil they live in, so check our website under your specific plant for transplanting instructions.
• Let the sun shine indirectly. Move your plant to a place where it can get higher intensity light but not direct sunlight. This method will help the soil dry faster, and the leaves transpire quicker to keep up with the soil's moisture levels.
• Don't be tempted to overfertilize your plants to get them to grow faster. That will backfire on you and overstress them. Lay off fertilizing in the dormant period of the year from October-March.
• Avoid letting your plant sit in a saucer full of water. Ensure their cute little roots are not suffocating by being soaked too long in the water.
• Use a container that is a clay or terracotta plant or breathable to help the roots acclimate to the moisture levels and humidity. This good air circulation around the roots will reduce the humidity and moisture levels and eliminate these symptoms.
• Plants that have low potassium or calcium can also be showing these symptoms. Correct this by adjusting the soil pH or repotting your plant with new, rich soil mixed, especially for your plant variety.

Plants that can suffer from edema include Fiddle Leaf Figs, Dracaena, Peperomia, Jade plants, Ficus, Schefflera.