In this week’s issue:

• The secret reason your philodendron leaf turned red
• What two-tone leaves are really trying to tell you
• Lavender isn’t just a vibe, it’s sleep science
• The surprising flower that helps you snooze faster
• Why your bedroom might be missing a jasmine plant
• One common plant that does more at night than during the day
• And more…

🇬🇧 Sheffield Answers

Every week, I get tons of questions about growing houseplants. In “Sheffield Answers”, I’m going to pick one out each week and answer it. Want to submit your own and get it featured next week? Click here to ask me a question!​

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Question: "I propagated my peperomia scandens variegata recently, I took the leaves which I picked off the stems and popped them in a succulent soil mix under a grow light. They are growing leaves but they are all green. Did they revert or does it need more time?" Aśka

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My Answer: It sounds like they’ve lost the variegation. In lots of plants, when you propagate from just the leaf it normally doesn’t carry the variegation, so will revert back to solid green. You need a piece of the stem. I found this out when I took a leaf cutting of my variegated snake plant and the new plant that emerged was a regular snake plant.

Why do some of my leaves turn red, or two-tone?

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Ever found a rogue red or pink leaf on your Philodendron and thought, “Did I accidentally invent a new plant species?”

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You didn’t, but you did witness a little houseplant drama unfolding.

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Here’s what’s going on:

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Most plants are green thanks to chlorophyll, which they use to photosynthesise.

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But some plants, especially tropical ones like Philodendron, Calathea, or even certain monsteras, also produce other pigments like anthocyanins (red/purple), carotenoids (orange/yellow), or variegation mutations (white/cream/light green).

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Why?

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Short answer: protection and adaptation.

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Red pigments like anthocyanins can act as a natural sunscreen, protecting young or stressed leaves from harsh light while they’re still developing. It’s kind of like giving your baby leaves sunglasses while they toughen up.

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In other cases, colour shifts can happen due to stress, nutrient levels, or light exposure.

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• Bright light? Your plant might produce more pigment to protect itself.
• Less light? It might revert to green so it can photosynthesise better.
• Stress? That rogue pink might be your plant’s version of screaming into the void.

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And then there’s genetics.

Some plants are simply born fabulous, with variegation patterns that mix green, white, yellow, and pink. These aren’t “errors,” they’re just... dramatic. But they do tend to be more delicate, since less green means less energy.

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So next time you see a leaf that looks like it’s gone rogue, don’t panic. It’s not sick, it’s just expressing itself. Enjoy it!

Three houseplants that will make you sleep better

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Now, I don’t want to sound like a bad bedtime podcast, but let’s talk about plants and sleep.

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Specifically: which houseplants can actually improve your sleep without needing to mention air purification (which, as we’ve covered before, is mostly a myth indoors).

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These ones work in different ways entirely:

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1. Lavender

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Yes, the classic. And for good reason.

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Lavender contains compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate, which have been shown to lower heart rate, reduce anxiety, and promote drowsiness.

Studies even suggest lavender can increase deep sleep and help you feel more refreshed the next day.

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The trick? You need a plant with a strong scent. Not just a nice-looking one. French or English lavender work best indoors, but they’ll need bright light and good airflow to stay happy.

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2. Jasmine

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Sweet-smelling and surprisingly powerful.

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Jasmine’s scent has been linked to reduced anxiety levels and better sleep efficiency, meaning you toss and turn less. One study even found jasmine to be as effective as valium in calming the nervous system (don’t swap your meds,

though).

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Keep it near your bed if you can. Just beware: it might grow faster than you think. A bit of pruning keeps it lush without taking over.

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3. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

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Okay, this one’s a little different.

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It doesn’t knock you out with fragrance, but the reason I’ve included this plant in my newsletter (AGAIN) is because, well, it tolerates neglect pretty well. You won’t find yourself woken up in a sweat that you haven’t watered it. As you already know by now, this guy is a champion.

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It’s visually calming and great for adding greenery too.

Plant Of The Week

Aglaonema Red Joy

It seemed right to feature a red plant this week. This guy is a rarer variety of Aglaonema. Native to tropical South-East Asia & New Guinea. Easy care and hardy. Commonly called 'Chinese Evergreen' even though it is native to South-East Asian areas like Thailand and Indonesia.

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▸ You can order it here (UK only) 👉 https://collabs.shop/wtkdi3​

Use code SHEFFIELDMADEPLANTS for a further 10% discount.

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Products I use to keep my plants strong and healthy:

▸ Amazon UK 👈

▸ Amazon USA 👈

📹 Watch & Grow: This Week On YouTube

👉 The Silent Plant Killer No One Talks About​

👉 Everything You Need To Have THRIVING Plants​

Did you know?

The leaves of the Maranta leuconeura (Prayer Plant) actually move up and down depending on the time of day. This rhythmic movement, called nyctinasty, is controlled by light and the plant’s internal clock. At night, the leaves fold upward like praying hands, then relax flat again by morning. It’s basically the botanical version of a bedtime stretch.

Houseplant Digest is brought to you by Houseplant SOS.