Indoor Houseplant “Tree” Needs Your Help! Dracaena Marginata
Greetings Judy. I’m in Ohio, bought this plant and a “snake” plant from a guy on the side of the road about 4-5 weeks ago. It was cool and windy out that November day. When I got the plant home, the leaves began to brown and drop. I was thinking it was just from the shock, or maybe the draft from the window I sat it in front of. i moved it away from the window and near my turtle tank, which had a UVB bulb. It’s been about 3 weeks now and it just doesn’t seem to be getting better. Please ID this for me, helpful hints would be appreciated as well. The snake plant died and I’m at a loss…~Chelle
Hi Chelle,
Your plant is called a Dracaena Marginata. It is normal for it to lose its bottom leaves as long as it is getting new leaves on top.
If it were my plant, I would cut one of the stems about 12-18 inches above the soil line. New leaves will branch out right below the cut in the stem. Once this stem starts looking better do the same to another stem. In this way you’ll have a bushier plant. Here are care instructions for a Dracaena Marginata and a picture of what it should look like when it’s healthy.
Light: Dracaena marginata plants prefer medium light, but survive in lower light situations. Lower light slows down the growth rate of a Dracaena marginata Plant and reduces the size of new leaves. Direct sun burns the leaves.
Water: Over- watering causes root-rot and is the main reason Dracaena marginata plants die. Water well and do not water again until the top 50% of the soil is dry, in low light this could be up to three weeks. Brown tips indicate over-watering or too much fluoride or salt in the water. Numerous yellow leaves at the bottom of the plants means a Dracaena marginata needs more water.
Fertilizer: A Dracaena marginata is a slow-growing plant that does not need much fertilizer. Feed a once a month in the spring and summer with a water-soluble, well-balanced plant food diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength.
You can read all my care tips for a Dracaena marginata in the popular Houseplant section of the website.