Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves for tiny webbing.
- Check if the plant has been moved to a new location recently.
- Look for any signs of pests like tiny moving dots.
Likely causes
Spider Mites
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see tiny stippling or yellow dots on the leaves and fine webbing between the stems. These pests thrive in dry air and cause the leaves to yellow and fall off.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the pests. Spray the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap once a week for 3 weeks to clear the infestation.
Environmental Stress
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves drop suddenly after a move or a major change in temperature or light. This is the plant's way of reacting to a new environment.
What to do: Keep the plant in a stable location with bright indirect light. Avoid moving it frequently and ensure the temperature stays between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Find out what's wrong with your telegraph plant
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Worry if the leaf drop is rapid and affects many leaves at once. It is normal for a few older leaves at the bottom to drop occasionally as the plant grows.
Stopping it coming back
Increase humidity to discourage spider mites and keep the plant in a stable, draft free environment.
Keep your telegraph plant healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Will the leaves grow back?
- The plant will grow new leaves from the nodes once the stressor is removed. It may take a few weeks to see new growth.
- Are spider mites common on this plant?
- They are a known issue for this species, especially in dry indoor conditions. Regular leaf cleaning helps prevent them.
More problems with Telegraph plant
Back to the Telegraph plant guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.