Troubleshooting
Spotted Gongora problems — and how to fix them
Spotted Gongora (Gongora maculata) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Crown and basal rot
Water trapped in new growths quickly causes fungal rot, especially in cooler temperatures. Always direct water away from the central crown and ensure rapid drainage. Improve air circulation and allow foliage to dry quickly after watering.
Leaf tip browning
Low humidity (below 50%) or drought stress causes the leaf tips to turn brown and dry. Raise ambient humidity, water more consistently, and avoid letting the medium dry out completely between waterings.
Failure to flower
Gongora requires pendulous inflorescences to hang freely below the basket. If grown in a standard pot the emerging spikes are trapped and fail. Always grow in a net or slatted hanging basket and ensure the flower spikes have unobstructed downward space.
Prevent spotted gongora problems before they start
Most spotted gongora issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Spotted Gongora problems — FAQ
Why is my spotted gongora crown and basal rot?
Water trapped in new growths quickly causes fungal rot, especially in cooler temperatures. Always direct water away from the central crown and ensure rapid drainage. Improve air circulation and allow foliage to dry quickly after watering.
Why is my spotted gongora leaf tip browning?
Low humidity (below 50%) or drought stress causes the leaf tips to turn brown and dry. Raise ambient humidity, water more consistently, and avoid letting the medium dry out completely between waterings.
Why is my spotted gongora failure to flower?
Gongora requires pendulous inflorescences to hang freely below the basket. If grown in a standard pot the emerging spikes are trapped and fail. Always grow in a net or slatted hanging basket and ensure the flower spikes have unobstructed downward space.