My plants leaves are turning brown and splitting.
3ft to light, indirect
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 month ago
1
@TidyCaperspurge Welcome to the Greg community! Brown and splitting leaves on a cornstalk dracaena (also known as Dracaena fragrans) are most likely caused by inconsistent watering, where the soil dries out too much between waterings, leading to brown leaf tips and potential splitting along the leaf edges; this is often accompanied by exposure to low humidity or too much direct sunlight which can further stress the plant and cause damage. Other potential factors could be: Overwatering: While less common, consistently keeping the soil too wet can also lead to root rot and subsequent leaf damage.
Poor water quality: Tap water with high mineral content can leave residue on leaves, causing brown spots.
Temperature extremes: Sudden temperature changes or exposure to very cold drafts can stress the plant and cause leaf damage.
Nutrient deficiency: Lack of essential nutrients can impact leaf health and lead to browning.
Physical damage: Bumping or knocking the plant can cause leaf splitting. If any of these apply fix accordingly: Check the soil moisture:
Stick your finger into the soil to ensure it is mostly dry before watering again. Alternatively you can use a bamboo skewer instead of your finger, if soil sticks to the skewer once removed the soil is too moist and you can snooze the plant.
Adjust watering frequency:
Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, allowing the excess to drain out.
Monitor light conditions:
Place the plant in bright, indirect light and avoid direct sunlight which can burn the leaves.
Increase humidity:
Consider using a humidifier or pebble tray to add moisture to the air around the plant.
Trim damaged leaves:
Remove any severely brown or split leaves with clean, sharp scissors.
Repot if necessary:
If the plant is rootbound, repot it into a slightly larger pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Hope this helps and Happy Growing!
Poor water quality: Tap water with high mineral content can leave residue on leaves, causing brown spots.
Temperature extremes: Sudden temperature changes or exposure to very cold drafts can stress the plant and cause leaf damage.
Nutrient deficiency: Lack of essential nutrients can impact leaf health and lead to browning.
Physical damage: Bumping or knocking the plant can cause leaf splitting. If any of these apply fix accordingly: Check the soil moisture:
Stick your finger into the soil to ensure it is mostly dry before watering again. Alternatively you can use a bamboo skewer instead of your finger, if soil sticks to the skewer once removed the soil is too moist and you can snooze the plant.
Adjust watering frequency:
Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, allowing the excess to drain out.
Monitor light conditions:
Place the plant in bright, indirect light and avoid direct sunlight which can burn the leaves.
Increase humidity:
Consider using a humidifier or pebble tray to add moisture to the air around the plant.
Trim damaged leaves:
Remove any severely brown or split leaves with clean, sharp scissors.
Repot if necessary:
If the plant is rootbound, repot it into a slightly larger pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Hope this helps and Happy Growing!
