String of Buttons problems — and how to fix them

The most common issue indoors. Too little light makes stems elongate with large gaps between leaf pairs and washed-out colour. Move to the brightest possible window; behead and re-root the stretched top to restart a compact plant.

Black or mushy stems and leaves that drop at a touch mean the roots are rotting. Always let soil dry fully, use gritty mix and a drained pot, and water less in winter. Salvage healthy top cuttings if the base is lost.

White cottony clusters in leaf joints are the most frequent pest. Dab with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, or treat with insecticidal soap or neem; isolate the plant and inspect new growth and roots.

Aphids cluster on tender new growth and flower stalks; vine weevil grubs damage roots. Rinse off aphids or use insecticidal soap; check the rootball for grubs when repotting.

Plants moved abruptly from low light into intense direct or midday summer sun can scorch, leaving pale or brown patches. Acclimatise gradually and shade from the fiercest midday rays in hot climates.

Wrinkled, deflating bottom leaves usually mean it is too dry (or, occasionally, pot-bound). Give a thorough soak and resume the soak-and-dry rhythm; some loss of the oldest leaves is normal.