How to Save a Dying Dracaena Plant
Dracaena plants are popular houseplants because they can grow up to four feet tall and provide a beautiful leafy backdrop or accent. The leaves of the dracaena plant are usually green, but some varieties have variegated leaves with white, yellow, pink, or red spots. The leaves may also turn brown if the plant is not cared for properly.
This blog post will teach you how to save a dying dracaena plant so it can live happily again in your home! A Dracaena plant is a common houseplant that may not be the prettiest, but it’s pretty hardy and easy to maintain. So if you’re interested in keeping your Dracaena healthy and happy, this blog post will teach you how! Read on for experts’ tips about saving a dying dracaena plant.
10 Reasons Why Your Dracaena Plant is Dying:
1. Not Watering Regularly:
The dracaena plant’s leaves will droop when the soil is dry. Breathing holes should appear at the stem’s base. When watering, water thoroughly, so that excess water comes out of the pot’s bottom cavity. Never let the plant sit in a pool of water, though! If yellowing leaves are noticed, this could be a sign of over-watering.
2. Temperature:
Dracaena plants grow best in moderate to bright, indirect sunlight and can even handle a bit of shade. Never expose your plant to temperatures below 40 degrees F or above 100 F. Overly high humidity is also a no-no for dracaenas, so keep the leaves dry by watering sparingly.
3. Not Fertilizing Enough:
Dracaena plants are not heavy feeders, so fertilizer is only necessary every 1-2 months throughout spring and summer. Follow your plant food package instructions or use a quarter of the dose recommended for other houseplants unless you notice malnutrition symptoms such as yellow leaves.
4. Soil or Water pH:
Dracaenas grow best in slightly acidic soil that is not overly moist, so adjust the pH if necessary with a water-soluble fertilizer for houseplants. Use a product called Miracid to decrease the acidity and raise the pH of your potting medium.
Use a product called water glass to increase the acidity and lower the pH of your potting medium. You can also add a bit of organic mulch, such as peat moss or oakmoss, to raise the acidic levels.
5. Excess Sunlight:
Dracaena plants don’t like direct sunlight, mainly after they’ve grown outdoors or become accustomed to lower light levels indoors. Dracaena plants are not for cacti lovers! While they can handle a bit of shade, never place your plant in an area with complete shade or the sunlight beating directly down on its leaves, as this will scorch them.
6. Not Transplanting:
If your dracaena plant has outgrown its current pot (the soil is mounded above the surface), it’s time to transplant the baby into a bigger one. First, make sure your pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. Also, keep the base of the plant’s stem at least 2 inches above the top of the pot for sufficient space to grow.
7. Stem Rot:
Stem rot is a common problem with dracaena plants because cold drafts, wet soil typically cause it, and overwatering. Check for signs of rot by looking along the stem for dark or slimy patches that indicate exposed tissue. If you notice exposed tissue, cut away the dead material right down to the healthy tissue, taking care not to damage the stem’s base.
8. Pests:
The most common dracaena plant pests are mealybugs and spider mites. If your dracaenas leave start looking yellow or distorted with web-like patches or spots, they may be infected with either bug. Eliminate these pests by wiping the leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
9. Root Rots:
Root rots are usually the result of overwatering, poor drainage in your pot, and soft water. Avoid root rot by allowing the soil to dry out between thorough waterings and treating hardened-off plants with a bit more care upon reintroduction to indoor growing conditions.
10. Adding too Many Plants:
Dracaena plants don’t like to share their territory, so if you’re planting them too close together and crowding their roots, they’ll start looking sickly due to stunted growth. Instead, give your plant some space by adding some organic mulch such as pine needles or oakmoss. Also, provide enough ventilation around the plants and avoid watering too thoroughly to prevent root rot.
You Can Check It Out to Transfer a Plant Cutting From Water to Soil
12 Ways on How to Save a Dying Dracaena Plant:
Here we have mentioned twelve ways how to save a dying dracaena plant.
1. Repot Your Dracaena:
After many years, dracaena plants need to be repotted or planted outdoors. You’ll know it’s time when the plant has outgrown its pot. This is typically around five years for most varieties of Dracaenas but can vary depending on your climate, light, and water conditions.
2. Water More Frequently:
Dracaenas don’t do well when they’re kept too wet. The best way to water this plant is to allow the soil to become moderately dry to the touch before watering it again. If you are unsure whether to water your Dracaena, wait another day or two, then try again.
3. Place Your Dracaena in a Well-Lit Spot:
Good lighting is essential to the health of your Dracaena. The best place for your plant is one that receives bright, indirect sunlight all day long. To avoid burning the leaves and causing damage, make sure you rotate it once a week to give all sides a chance to receive equal amounts of light.
4. Feed Your Plant Fertilizer:
Because most homes’ soil tends to be acidic, it can be a good idea to feed your plant a weak fertilizer solution once a month. If you do this, dilute the fertilizer in half before applying it so as not to over-fertilize.
5. Allow Your Plant to Air Out:
Like many houseplants, Dracaena plants accumulate mold, bacteria, insects, and other nasties in their leaves if not allowed to get good air circulation. Ensure that any foliage near the soil gets enough drainage not to get wet or smother itself.
6. Snip Off Dying Leaves:
When leaves on your Dracaena begin to turn yellow, they ask you to remove them so they don’t infect other healthy foliage. If this is the case, it’s best to periodically remove all yellow leaves so the plant can remain as healthy as possible. In addition, you might want to consider placing the plant in a shady location when leaves start to die back.
7. Let It Get Sunlight:
Dracaena plants are often grown indoors because they adapt well to low light. However, that doesn’t mean that you should deprive your plant of the sun. If possible, put this plant in the sun for at least an hour daily. This gives it time to soak up ultraviolet rays which can sometimes be helpful for specific ailments like discoloration and yellowing.
8. Cut Off Stems as Needed:
The best pruning for your Dracaena plant is to cut off dead or brown stem tips at their base. This will prompt the branches above it to grow and should help the overall health of your plant, which can otherwise become top-heavy. If you want to try this technique, ensure not to prune the very top of the plant where it is naturally intended to grow.
9. Maintain Good Drainage:
Dracaena plants are known to age quickly if kept in moist, wet soil for too long. However, this leads to browning of the leaves, and parts submerged underwater for too long can rot away. If you have drainage issues, use pot feet for sitting right on top of the soil.
10. Feed it Well:
As stated earlier, Dracaenas only need to be watered with fertilizer about once a month. This usually applies if you are using an all-purpose fertilizer for indoor plants. However, if you want your plant to grow stronger and healthier, fertilize more often or consider replenishing the nutrients in the soil itself.
11. Change the Pot:
Don’t be afraid to change your pot every few years if your Dracaena looks pale and lifeless. Sometimes it’s best to replace the soil with fresh, new dirt that will allow your plant to grow strong and healthy once more.
12. Cut Back on Watering During Winter:
The cuttings on your Dracaena plant may start to die back during winter, but make sure you are waterless. You can also move it somewhere fabulous, like a shady spot or an unheated room to preserve nutrients. If there is still some green foliage left towards the bottom of the stem, it should be okay to keep watering at half-strength every couple of weeks.
Some Helpful Tips to Care for Your Dracaena Plant:
Dracaena plants are popular houseplants because they have beautiful foliage and can grow to gigantic heights. As with most flowering plants, however, they require a good deal of attention and care to remain healthy. Read on to find out tips about how to save a dying dracaena plant and keep your dracaena plant healthy!
1. Watering your Dracaena Plant:
The plants grow in many different climates, which is one of the reasons that they are so popular. For this reason, there is no exact formula for watering the plant. Instead, it would help if you observed it to determine when it needs water.
The best way to determine this is by checking the soil after you water it. First, the soil should be moistened until water drips out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Then, if the soil is still dry after a week, you should water it again.
2. Light Requirements:
Dracaena plants do well in moderate to bright indirect light. However, if your plant starts to stretch and appears weak, you can move it to a sunnier location. First, make sure that the leaves are not getting sunscald if they look like they are drying out or curling up.
3. Fertilization:
You should fertilize your dracaena plant once every two weeks during its active growing season, usually in spring and summer. Feed your plant with a balanced houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half the strength recommended by the manufacturer. You can use a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro. If you prefer organic fertilizers, you could use fish emulsion or composted cow manure for this plant.
4. Dracaena Plant Pests:
Occasionally these plants may be infested by scale insects and mealybugs, causing yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and curled leaves. To get rid of these pests, remove the infested areas by either rubbing them off or wiping them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
5. Re-potting Your Plant:
You should repot your plant every two years to refresh its soil. Report it in a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. You can also try putting the plant into a water dish, then bring it to the sink and scrub off the insects with an old toothbrush.
What To Do If Your Dracaena Plant Is Dying?
If your dracaena plant is showing signs of wilting, yellowing leaves, and stunted growth, don’t panic – there are several steps you can take to revive it. Incorrect watering is usually the most common cause – make sure to check the soil before watering and skip watering if the soil is already damp.
Additionally, bright indirect light such as that from a window or artificial lighting may help. Check for pests like mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites, and treat them with insecticidal soap solution or rubbing alcohol followed by a clean water rinse.
Feed your plants with a liquid fertilizer every two weeks during spring, summer, and fall months at half the recommended strength on the product label, but reduce fertilization during winter months when plants are dormant. With proper care, water, light, and nutrients you can save your beloved dracaena plant!
How to Save a Dracaena That Has Been Overwatered or Has Root Rot?
Start by removing the plant from its pot and inspect the roots for any sign of damage. If the roots have turned black, slimy, or mushy, then it’s likely that root rot is present. Cut away any damaged, diseased or dead portions of the roots, and make sure to use sterile scissors so as not to spread the infection further.
Repot the plant into a new container using fresh, sterile soil and make sure that water can drain out easily from the bottom of the pot. Avoid overwatering your dracaena in the future by checking that the soil is dry before watering it again – alternatively, you could use a moisture meter for more accurate readings on when your plant needs watering.
Finally, be sure to place your dracaena in a spot with indirect sunlight and keep it away from areas with harsh drafts or too much heat / cold airflow. With these steps in mind, you should be able to save your precious houseplant and get it back on track!
How Do You Save Drooping Dracaena?
Drooping Dracaena is often brought on by stress. Like the flu, it can make your plant very sick. Your first step should be to rule out pests and diseases. Look for webs at branch crotches, leaves with spots or holes, unusual thorns, yellowing between veins, etc.
Next, check your soil pH and water deeply to see if the symptoms are clear. If not, try adjusting your fertilizer schedule or feeding with a ‘time release’ fertilizer. If that doesn’t do the trick, you may want to report in fresh soil (3 parts potting soil mixed with 1 part sand is a compelling mix).
Make sure you leave some room at the top for new soil. Dracaena is one of the few plants that prefer to be rootbound! Another option is to cut back on the water by 75%. Stop fertilizing or reduce the frequency, but be sure you maintain even moisture levels during this time. If you want to know how to save a dying dracaena plant, read this full blog post.
Conclusion:
The Dracaena plant is a beautiful but challenging houseplant. It needs to be watered thoroughly and kept in an area with plenty of sunlight. If you’re struggling with how to save a dying Dracaena plant, try the tips mentioned above!
There is hope for your Dracaena plant! It can be saved and will continue to provide you with years of greenery. Follow the steps we’ve outlined above, and you’ll have a happy, healthy dracaena in no time. If this sounds like something that interests you, let us know. We’re ready to help!
