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Caring for Dracaena #844522

Asked August 07, 2023, 11:52 AM EDT

I have a dracaena plant that I've had for a little over a year and a half. It seemed to do well for the first year +, but in the last 3-4 months, it looks very unhealthy although there does seem to be new growth that I never noticed when I thought it was doing well. My neighbor who gifted it to me told me to water it well when it gets very dry - usually about every 10 days to 2 weeks - and to put it in indirect light, which I have done. I have cut leaves back as they have appeared to die. I'm attaching 3 pictures. Any advice would be appreciated.

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

Hi, 

Dracaena like medium bright light so it appears to be in appropriate lighting, but maybe moving it a bit closer to a window may help. The browning tips and yellowing foliage typically mean too much or too little water, or potentially a build up of salts and fluoride from the tap water. When you water it, does water pool in the bottom of the pot? It would benefit from being up in the sink or shower to water and let the water drain out the bottom afterwards, or empty the decorative pot afterwards. 

Have you examined the roots yet? You can carefully take the plant out of its pot and make sure the roots look healthy and white and the plant isn't pot bound with roots wrapping around in a circle. It could be that it would benefit from being re-potted with fresh potting mix. 

You could try to switch to a distilled or filtered water that doesn't have fluoride that isn't affecting the plant. Also, make sure you are feeling the soul before you water. If it still seems water a few inches down, then hold off on watering for a few more days. 

Dracaena are tropical plants from Africa and can grow outside in Florida so keep that environment in mind. They like humidity. If your house is too dry, perhaps it isn't very happy there. Many plants we tend to use indoors come from tropical environments and when we shift them from a greenhouse to our homes, they don't get the humidity level to truly thrive. Some people get terrariums for their plants or use a humidifier near by. (this would be beneficial in the winter). You could move it to the shade for the remainder of the summer and that may help it perk up!

When you examine the roots, if you'd like to send another photo, we can help assess them for health. 

Emily

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