Many melastome problems begin before the plant ever reaches your home. A little inspection at the nursery can save you a lot of trouble. This checklist covers what to look for and what to do afterwards.
Inspect the whole plant
Leaves. Look for even colour and firm texture. Avoid plants with widespread yellowing, brown crispy edges or spots. Turn leaves over and check the undersides for pests: webbing, white cottony tufts, sticky residue or tiny moving insects (common pests on melastome houseplants).
Stems. They should be firm. Soft, blackened or shrivelled stems suggest rot or drying.
Growth habit. Healthy plants have balanced growth with new shoots. Very leggy, pale growth suggests the plant has been kept in low light.
Buds and flowers. A plant in bud is often better than one in full bloom, since it will flower in your care. Plants that have just flowered heavily may be stressed.
Roots and pot. If you can, check that roots are not circling heavily or coming out of the drainage holes in large numbers. A plant that is thoroughly root-bound may be stressed. The mix should be damp, not waterlogged or bone dry, and should not smell sour.
Read the label
- Botanical name. Look for a full scientific name. Remember that name changes are common, and a plant may be sold as Tibouchina though now classified as Pleroma (Tibouchina or Pleroma). Check that the name matches the plant's appearance.
- Care instructions. Check whether the plant is for indoors, outdoors or a greenhouse.
- Hardiness. For garden plants, confirm that the plant can survive your winters (winter care for tender melastomes).
If the nursery cannot tell you what the plant is, treat it with caution.
Ask about the source
For rarer species, especially small forest herbs (terrarium melastomes), ask whether the plant was propagated in a nursery. Avoid wild-collected plants, which can harm wild populations (conservation of melastomes).
Check whether it could be invasive
In warm, wet regions, some melastomes spread aggressively (why some melastomes are considered invasive weeds). Check your local invasive species list before planting.
Buying online
- Choose sellers with good reviews and clear photos of the actual plants.
- Check shipping conditions in hot or cold weather.
- Unbox promptly and inspect the plant.
- Keep the receipt and photos in case of damage in transit.
Bringing it home
- Quarantine the plant away from your other plants for two to three weeks, and inspect for pests regularly.
- Keep conditions stable. Place it in a spot with suitable light, away from drafts and heaters.
- Acclimate gradually if you are moving it to brighter light (light requirements for melastomes).
- Do not repot immediately. Let the plant settle for a few weeks unless the roots are in poor condition.
- Water carefully and check the mix before watering.
- Do not fertilise a newly bought plant for the first few weeks.
Some leaf drop in the first weeks is common because of the change in environment. If it is severe, see why melastomes drop leaves.
Takeaways
- Inspect leaves, undersides, stems and roots before buying.
- Check the botanical name and ask about the plant's source.
- Quarantine new plants and keep conditions steady.
- Avoid wild-collected and invasive species.