the gravel doesn't really do anything, I'd put it in an appropriate pot with a drainage hole.

Thanks gabby, but is that the reason for the leaves? The pot was a gift and doesn't fit pots with holes in very well, I was told it would be okay as long as I'm very careful not to overwater it?

It's not a cactus, it's a haworthia which is a type of succulent. Gabby is correct, gravel at the base does absolutely nothing for drainage, and, you really do need a pot with at least one hole.

What mix is it planted in, it looks dark? Dark = peaty and water retentive in most instances, that fact, combined with no holes will certainly rot any plant and that is where your problem lies I'm certain. I don't know if haws prefer a specific mix, but one with much faster drainage than you currently have may well be needed. The haw growers will advise....sorry, I'm not one of them :-)

Is the stem of the haw soft where the leaves have been removed? If you decide to repot into a better pot and mix, you will have to check each of the stems and roots for soft/rotted portions before repotting. Come back if you need further info.

Gill

At worst, if you really do want to use that specific pot, a shorter one could sit inside on it's rim with a gap underneath it. You would have to make sure any run off is emptied from the outer pot so as not to create a humid area. Not an ideal solution as saucers work best IMHO, but if could be a way of using the pot....especially if the gifter is likely to see their present to you being used!

Gill

It is normal for old leaves to wither away and dry. Pull them away gently if you don't like the look of them on the plant.

While it is normal for oldest leaves to dry up, there should not be many at the same time or some constantly. I see 1 or 2 occasionally - maybe every couple of months or so (don't really pay much attention, it is quite seldom).

I believe it may be water retaining soil - with excess water no place to go. If it was sitting in wet soil, it could have damaged roots. Repotting into container with drainage hole and well draining mix will help IMO.

Hi everyone, thanks for all your help.

I'm unsure what the soil is but could well be water retaining, my mum just gave me some. I'm clearly not an expert! Was a supposedly easy plant to brighten up my uni room but needs some adjustments. I did see it's a haworthia but couldn't remember it exactly. I'll look at getting a smaller pot to go inside and some better soil. Hopefully he can survive a while as there aren't any garden centres nearby!

Thank you all again

Naomi

Naomi

You could find pots for sale in any store - Lowe's, Home Depot, Wallmart, many Hardware stores - not only garden center. While getting a pot, get a bag of perlite and mix it minimum 50/50 with soil (it would be best to sift perlite using a kitchen sieve/strainer to get rid of dust & smallest particles. That kind of mix will give more drainage to your plant. Small gravel could be added too, if you can find it.

I think haws are quite suitable for uni rooms - quite often there isn't enough light for many other succulents.

Okay great thank you, although I was including them, I'm at university in a fairly small Cornish town (England) so unless trago has them I'll have to wait for a chance I can go out somewhere :) but okay great I'll grab those too. Thank you. Would you recommend mixing the gravel that's at the bottom into the soil for now?

Naomi