Yellowing and crispy leaves
Dracaena leaves have been gradually yellowing for about two months now—not sure what’s causing it. Can anyone identify the problem? I’m considering repotting it into a bigger pot that has a drainage hole but I’m scared of shocking the plant. #Dracaena
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Drainage is always necessary for plants so the repotting to a pot with more may not be a bad idea. I have a starter Dracaena now, and I had one years ago. I gave it to my mother-in-law and she killed it by overwatering it. She watered it too often. So I think the problem may be with your plant’s watering schedule and it may need a new pot with new soil. @WorthwhileGray
💦 No drainage leads to waterlogged soil, which will suffocates the plant’s roots and cause root rot. 🤔 Consider gently laying your plant down and drill holes at the bottom of the pot. Drainage holes are so very essential for a health plant. This problem may continue without drainage holes.
▫️Also, If you put it in a pot that is too big, your plant will also become overwatered.
▫️Because it has no drainage it’s probably overwatered, but there is a slight chance it’s underwatered or is suffering from some other problem. If its roots are rotting the soil will have an odor.
💧 The finger-soil dip test is the best method to determine if your plant is thirsty. The key to having a green thumb is having a dirty index finger. 🙃 Water this plant only when the top 1-2 inches of the soil feels completely dry on your index finger (the 1st-2nd knuckle). This low tech method works better than moisture meter and it’s free. 🙂 It will also help prevent overwatering when the season change (fall- winter) and your tropical plant will require less water.
💦 Drainage holes are essential: When watering your plant, if you allow the water drips out of the drainage hole, you know the root ball is hydrated and its not in danger of being underwater. When the water drips out of the drainage hole you will also know its time stop watering your plant. Never let your plant sit in the water that dripped out of the drainage hole, because this will cause it to become overwatered.
▫️ Another culprit to yellowing leaves is watering your plant with tap water. Dracaena are very sensitive to the chemicals in tap water. Use filtered watered. I use a product called “API Stress Coat Aquuarium water Conditioner” to remove the chlorine, chloramine and etc. from my tap water. It’s safe for plants and animals. 🙂 I get it from Amazon.
☀️ Move it closer to North facing window. Six feet away from the North facing window is too far. Compared to other directions, the light from the North window is the lowest light you can give your plant. So move it closer to the window. This plant will thrive in bright indirect light and grow a little faster. Consider getting a LED full spectrum grow light.
🙏 Your plant is beautiful. Remove some… (repeat) …some of the badly damaged leaves. With a little TLC your plant will make a speedy recovery.
▫️Also, If you put it in a pot that is too big, your plant will also become overwatered.
▫️Because it has no drainage it’s probably overwatered, but there is a slight chance it’s underwatered or is suffering from some other problem. If its roots are rotting the soil will have an odor.
💧 The finger-soil dip test is the best method to determine if your plant is thirsty. The key to having a green thumb is having a dirty index finger. 🙃 Water this plant only when the top 1-2 inches of the soil feels completely dry on your index finger (the 1st-2nd knuckle). This low tech method works better than moisture meter and it’s free. 🙂 It will also help prevent overwatering when the season change (fall- winter) and your tropical plant will require less water.
💦 Drainage holes are essential: When watering your plant, if you allow the water drips out of the drainage hole, you know the root ball is hydrated and its not in danger of being underwater. When the water drips out of the drainage hole you will also know its time stop watering your plant. Never let your plant sit in the water that dripped out of the drainage hole, because this will cause it to become overwatered.
▫️ Another culprit to yellowing leaves is watering your plant with tap water. Dracaena are very sensitive to the chemicals in tap water. Use filtered watered. I use a product called “API Stress Coat Aquuarium water Conditioner” to remove the chlorine, chloramine and etc. from my tap water. It’s safe for plants and animals. 🙂 I get it from Amazon.
☀️ Move it closer to North facing window. Six feet away from the North facing window is too far. Compared to other directions, the light from the North window is the lowest light you can give your plant. So move it closer to the window. This plant will thrive in bright indirect light and grow a little faster. Consider getting a LED full spectrum grow light.
🙏 Your plant is beautiful. Remove some… (repeat) …some of the badly damaged leaves. With a little TLC your plant will make a speedy recovery.
