Asked on Dec 28, 2015

Help with plant

Shirley V
by Shirley V
Two years ago I bought a pot of flowers and this plant was in it. At the time it was only about 6" and I kept it outside. It grew probably 3' last summer. I brought it in for the winter and a few of the leaves died but that was to be expected. I took it back out for this summer and it did really well and grew more. I brought it in again for the winter and it has been dying since. This plant has lost 95% of its leaves and I am afraid its going to die...HELP! I love this plant but I have no idea what kind it is or what to do to keep it from dying. Does anyone know what kind of plant this is or how to care for it? At one point it was about 8 feet tall and beautiful, I would love to save it. I think it may be in the tree family, the base (trunk) looks like a pineapple. Any help is appreciated.
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  91 answers
  • looks like some sort off palm. Can't tell what pot it's in, but it looks pretty dry. have you watered? It also looks like the top roots are exposed in the first pic. maybe get a new bag of palm soil and replant it in perhaps a tad bigger pot? They need lots of light! Does it get plenty of light near that window??? I'm talking like 5-6 hours of bright light a day.
    • See 1 previous
    • @Shirley V it's for sure a type of palm, judging by the stalk. Water when it's dry. you can tell if you stick your finger down in the soil. shouldn't be wet all the time, but it shouldn't be bone-dry either. For sure get the soil meant for palms and a slightly bigger pot. Check craigslist for cheap pots.
  • LaFawne LaFawne on Dec 28, 2015
    It looks like some sort of dracena to me. Take a clear pic of it and take that to your local plant store. They should be able to identify it for sure. Dracenas are quite often in mixed foliage containers when small.
  • Lianne Brown Lianne Brown on Dec 29, 2015
    Dracena or Yucca, I would definitely transplant into a bigger pot, the tap root has most probably wound around the bottom of the the existing pot. must have good drainage, after transplanting feed with a good root growth fertiliser, living in South Africa, I've found that Culterra Multisol "K" works well, then during active growing months, feed with a high Nitrogen fertiliser, & with every 2nd round of fertilising, administer a general (fruit & flower), just to keep it balanced. Hope this helps. Lianne
  • Kay Kay on Dec 29, 2015
    It is a Yucca plant. This plant will naturally lost it's lower leaves. It looks pot bound and dry. Take lower dead leaves off carefully. LEAVE UNTIL SPRING Then re-pot into a pot one size bigger than the one it is in (too big and it will not thrive). Then water and feed - little and often with the watering, food once a month is enough. Just a thought, check where the plant is, i.e. in the much light or not enough light. It will not like direct sunshine all day, but that's not something to worry about to much now, but it could be why it sulked lost leaves a little more than it should have last summer.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 29, 2015
    This is a Dracena spike. From the photo it appears to be underwatered and not enough soil. Repot this at once removing the old soil around the root ball. You can use ordinary potting soil.Once you have it repotted trim the excess brown leaves. Keep moderately moist not saturated and placed in a bright indirect sunlight to avoid burning of the blades.
  • GeezLouise860 GeezLouise860 on Dec 29, 2015
    I think you have some type of "grass palm" They are great for outdoor annual planters. They can winter inside like you have done. They are under $4 at Walmart or Home Depot in the springtime (I'm in New England) If it dies on you it can easily be replaced.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Dec 29, 2015
    To tell the truth, now it looks spindly and that part will never come back. I would hold a memorial service and adopt a fashionable new 'trans-plant."
  • Nancy Nancy on Dec 29, 2015
    I have one and mine is a pony tail palm. But the leaves on mine are longer and cascade. My trick is to water sparingly once a week keep it in bright light.
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    • Janis Hill Janis Hill on Dec 30, 2015
      @Nancy Perhaps they aren't yucca or they are taller/wider because they are outside? Or maybe they have bloomed and the blooms have been left on them? Why don't you post a picture of them? :-)
  • Janis Hill Janis Hill on Dec 29, 2015
    Hi Shirley, Kay is correct. It is a Yucca plant. the bottom leaves die as the plant grows, so there is nothing unusual happening her. I would suggest you remove the dead leaves to tidy up the plant. Because it is a desert plant it needs bright light. The corner you have it in looks pretty dark. I think that blue sheer blocks out most of the light, so the first thing I would do is relocate it to a south facing (sunny) window. Yucca's do not require a lot of water. Check the soil by sticking your finger down into the pot. If the soil feels cold or soil sticks to your finger do not water. Otherwise water sparingly once every 2 or 3 weeks. You can also check for moisture by picking up the pot. If it feels light the plant needs water. Remember this is a desert plant and do NOT overwater. Less is best. In the summer try adding a little LIGHT fertilizer. Not much and only once. If you want to see new growth just cut the main stalk down so only 2 or 3 inches remain. You will get new side shoots. And as a bonus you can take the part you cut off, stick it in fresh potting soil, keep the soil moist and it will soon put out new roots and top growth. Hope this helps.
  • Shawn Brockhoff Maxwell Shawn Brockhoff Maxwell on Dec 29, 2015
    Yes a yucca - you can trim spent leaves and have tall plant ...or whack off the bottom and let it grow new fronds and then whack off the tall top and replant. Might want to dip in a rooting compound or put in a bottle of water with a willow branch (same effect) to aid in rooting. These are very hardy and both will thrive if ground is watered.
    • Lorraine Aha Lorraine Aha on May 04, 2016
      If you try to root the top in a vase or bottle of water it will rot. It should root if you just plant it in well-drained soil and water lightly as usual.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 29, 2015
    Sorry but this cannot be a Yucca plant. They are planted in the ground ad never brought inside.
  • 9530106 9530106 on Dec 29, 2015
    This is definitely a dracena spike plant, which is really not a dracena at all, but related to the cabbage palm. It is a common filler in planters. Mine looks jut like yours, it is in the garage for the winter. I just remove the dried leaves and replant it deep in the spring. I have had this one for several years. Yes, they can grow like a tree!
  • Grandmasue10 Grandmasue10 on Dec 29, 2015
    Trees, and I guess plants, do have a life expectancy. For example; poplars grow fast, but are likely to die before you do. Evergreens grow only 3 to 4" a year and will live 50 to 70 years.
  • Shirley V Shirley V on Dec 29, 2015
    Thank you everyone for all the information and advice. I have moved the plant to where there is plenty of light and added soil as well as water. I will be searching for a bigger pot so it can be transplanted. Once again thank you
    • Janis Hill Janis Hill on Dec 30, 2015
      @Shirley V - wait until spring to transplant and then only go up one pot size. :-) Oh...and if you plant it in a plastic pot you can set the entire thing in a nice container and finish off the top with moss. like the one attached
  • Shirley V Shirley V on Dec 29, 2015
    added soil moved to more light and watered.
    • See 5 previous
    • Shirley V Shirley V on Jan 27, 2016
      Thank you everyone for the help. After repotting and moving to more light and watering the leaves continued to turn brown. I cut it off and have been babying it and now it has new growth and is doing wonderful. So thanks to everyone.
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Dec 29, 2015
    If at all possible take the plant or at least a leaf to a garden store or nursery for confirmation. Best of luck!
  • Buster Evans Buster Evans on Jan 02, 2016
    well I have a couple of these, didn't know the proper name for them the lady that gave them to me said they were "corn plants" (even though they don't resemble corn at all to me). I cut the dead leaves off right next to the trunk of the plant which gives it a palm look. they do great on their own with just a bit of water and light. the dying leaves are a normal process of the growth of the plant... as it grows taller the lower leaves die off and it makes the trunk. Mine have been a no muss no fuss plant that has been very hardy.. if it splits and starts a new "head" or offshoot from the main stalk let the stem get a foot or so long then cut it off at the original trunk and plant it , it will start a new plant. hope this helps
    • Janis Hill Janis Hill on Jan 03, 2016
      @Buster Evans they aren't "Corn Plants They are properly called a Yucca.
  • Shirley V Shirley V on Jan 02, 2016
    Thank you so much.
  • Shirley V Shirley V on Jan 02, 2016
    For everyone who responded, Thank You all so much after all the advice I have moved the plant, watered, added soil to roots, and cut dead off and its already looking better just in a few days.
  • Mechelle Gagliano- Clark Mechelle Gagliano- Clark on Jan 02, 2016
    Its a spike plant. My mom had one for many years and it turned into almost a tree!! They need light and you should cut off the dead.. Put it back out when the risk of danger passes.. I buy them every year.. But I do not have room inside to bring them in.. Good luck!!
    • 9530106 9530106 on Jan 03, 2016
      @Mechelle Gagliano- Clark This was my reply several days ago, also. It is a dracena spike, grown outdoors as an accent plant. Yes, they can grow like a tree! Mine looks just like the one in the photo. It's in my mom's garage right now.I usually buy new every year, too, but this one got so big, I decided to keep it for awhile! :)
  • Mechelle Gagliano- Clark Mechelle Gagliano- Clark on Jan 02, 2016
    Above is a link with all the info you will need...
  • Kor3691383 Kor3691383 on Jan 03, 2016
    It looks like a NZ cabbage tree to me. If it is; it is a native tree, and will grow better outside, prefers not to be in sheltered hot spot.
  • Buster Evans Buster Evans on Jan 03, 2016
    Right Janis... I was stating what the woman who originally gave me mine said they were... However I had not heard the botanical name that had been mentioned in this thread... Thanks
  • Elle Elle on Jan 03, 2016
    Hi I'm writing from Australia we call this plant a Ponytail plant It should not be kept indoors for more than a month a season. Re-pot into a good quality potting mix in a larger pot pull off all the dead spikes. Feed with seaweed fertilizer keep in a sunny position and don't over-water for the first few weeks after that it should suffer drought and flood no problem. Hope this is helpful.
  • Marcia Marcia on Jan 11, 2016
    Its a cordaline
  • Kim becker Kim becker on Jan 26, 2016
    I think it's a kind of dracaena. If so, it does not like to have wet feet. Watch your watering. It should not be kept outside until ALL chance of frost is gone. They also like filtered sunlight, not bright sunlight. I hope this helps.
  • Kim becker Kim becker on Jan 26, 2016
    Also-it is not a ponytail palm.
  • Marcia Marcia on Feb 02, 2016
    Ponytail palms have a bulbous base that store water. I don't see evidence of that. I agree that its some sort of a dracaena or cordeline . yuccas have shorter , rough leaves. in any case, don't overwater.
  • Chubbychucky Chubbychucky on Feb 10, 2016
    Its a cordeline and can withstand harsh winter conditions - leave her outside she will be fine....Mine survives snow in the UK.
  • Margolynluvsu Margolynluvsu on Feb 11, 2016
    I suggest you trim dead material off. Take the plant out of that pot, examine roots carefully. They may be calcification from water, that's ok, cut some of the roots off replant them in another pot. Put cinnamon on the open wounds of the roots. Replant in fresh potting soil, put a little Epson salt mixed into the potting soil, maybe a 1/4 cup. Mix thoroughly. Put it back outside where you had it before. The pot should be bigger than the last one. She will be popping new growth immediately. New growth will probably be seen within 2 weeks. She gonna be fine, but you must tell her how beautiful she is. Plants respond to noise, especially good noise like I LOVE YOU.😉
  • Sharon Sharon on Feb 11, 2016
    Mine always loses a lot of its fronds during the winter. But put it in a pot with good drainage and when you put it back out in the spring it will be fine.
  • Carmen Evans Carmen Evans on Feb 11, 2016
    Looks like a flax plant they keep growing up sometimes getting side shoots and mostimes some bottom leaves die off. They need sun.
  • Jeannette Jeannette on Feb 12, 2016
    This is not a Ponytail Palm or a Cordyline, it's a Yucca. They are native to the desert. I don't think it's dying, they are pretty hard to kill . Don't overwater, treat it like a cactus. They don't need a lot of care, if you baby it, it might not know how to act. Outdoors they manage fine in full sun. Are you wintering it in a basement? It would probably like the dry heat of your furnace. I would trim off the dead fronds and put it by a sunny window. God luck.
    • Sandra Sandra on Mar 08, 2016
      We have a Yucca outside. Yep. The taller it grows the more of those dead leaves there are. You can pull them off once they are very dry. Ours has, as I remember, 4 parts to it. I don't know if the plan was only one part, like yours, Shirley, or 4 were planted together. It was here when we got here. I think you could put it in a larger pot and in summer, once it's warm, you could put it outside. Ours does fine even on our 40degree nights. Actually, we have had freezes, not long ones, but freezes and it survives. Ours is in the ground. But, up there, keep it potted. You could add some other plants, maybe fern to fill,in the empty bottom. So go find a gorgeous pot and replant it and add some,other plants. It'll be great. Oops! Forgot it's a plant that doesn't need lots of water. Put in some hens and chickens. 👍🏻
  • Linda hardwick Linda hardwick on Feb 22, 2016
    she,s right...this is a yucca plant. very hardy and needs little water but loves the sun. we have them all over in caliornia.
  • Dee B Dee B on Mar 05, 2016
    Looks like a Yucca. Re pot in new soil. Check it for bugs. Sometimes my house plants get bugs when I put them outside in summer. Google Yucca for care directions. Maybe too much or two little water. Both will make it loose foliage. Good luck.
    • Sandra Sandra on Mar 08, 2016
      You can use a weak soap and water wash on your plants to help get rid of the bugs. Just put it in a spray bottle and have at it.
  • Deb Deb on Mar 08, 2016
    plants that like dry conditions do better in clay pots. they are better for drainage. i think your plant might have a plastic pot? you might consider re-potting into clay. since you have your plant for a few years i would also suggest using a slightly larger pot.
  • Shirley V Shirley V on Mar 08, 2016
    It is a ceramic pot, and I have already put into a very large terra cotta pot. Thank you.
  • Dawood Khan Dawood Khan on Mar 14, 2016
    This is Yucca or Yukka but in fact a day plant and requires lot of lot of light..at-least 6 to 8 hours a day. I had this in Middle East with a lot of foliage. In winter better keep it on window sill and not in dark place as it appears in the picture. Good luck and regards.
  • Barbara Valenti Barbara Valenti on Mar 14, 2016
    My yucca was planted in the ground. They do get leggy. Kinda curvy at the base also. Will sprout runners not far from mother plant, will emerge and grow well. I live in the South and really did not do too much to this plant. I had a whole area in a bed with this and some other hardy plants. They did well and I never watered them. Just when it rained. They were on the Southside of my house and were in hot Sun all day. I would send a pic but I sold that house. Sorry, hope this helps!
  • Martha Rodriguez Martha Rodriguez on Mar 20, 2016
    I always cut the dead parts off of mine and it seems to be doing better all the time. Mine looks just like yours but mine had a tag in the soil and it said it's a pony tail palm.
  • Sandy Sandy on Mar 20, 2016
    looks like a yucca. it needs sandy soil. it will bloom and will grow sideways because it gets top heavy. not sure if it dies after bloom, some succs do. Put it in the ground if possible, not sure how it survives cold. google it. At least get it outside.
  • Wynasha Wynasha on Mar 20, 2016
    This plant looks like a Dracaena aka Spike. Tall, narrow, gracefully arching leaves emerging from a central spot make this plant a great focal point and source of height in planters. Spike dracaena will be fullest in the most sun but does almost as well in shade. I used to keep them indoors during our cold winters and every year it got bigger & bigger. It did eventually succumb to its end of life span.
  • Alice Alice on Apr 04, 2016
    I have one that looks like this one but it has a huge bulb at the bottom and it is called pony tail.
  • LouAnn Klinger LouAnn Klinger on Apr 04, 2016
    I had one for 4 years just cut back dying leaves in winter and let grow outside when warm vere hardy
  • Jill Jill on Apr 05, 2016
    Yes this is a spike. It is used as a focal point in mixed planters. The die back on the bottom is typical. Just pull down on them slightly and they will pull off. It will not harm the plant. As it ages it takes on the shape of a palm tree. Rounded stem void of leaves and this big explosion of foliage on top. Watch for mealy bugs during the winter.(they look like bits of cotton)
  • Kathleen Ford Kathleen Ford on Apr 14, 2016
    I have two on my back porch, I live in southern part of Texas and they get left out year round. Do trim from bottom up in summer to get all dead growth off. Very sturdy plant
  • Loretta Loretta on Apr 15, 2016
    I have one my sister gave me when I first got married almost 30 years ago. It now is about 10 foot tall and has branched out. It gets beautiful white blooms that the bees love and they smell heavenly. It started blooming about 10 years ago and only blooms once a year. We let the bees do their thing and enjoy from a distance.
  • Shawn Brockhoff Maxwell Shawn Brockhoff Maxwell on Apr 15, 2016
    This is not a pony tail palm. Looks to me like one of the hundreds f varieites of dracena. Yes you can trim off the dead leaves on the stalk with no ill effects than a long naked stalk. Leave as is or plant something around the outside. Or you can cut off at the height you want. Dip in some rooting hormone (Rootone is one) and replant and it will probably look like when you purchased. I would use new soil and water well at first then continue on as you have in the past.
  • Chey Chey on Apr 17, 2016
    It looks like a palm - palm tree ? I would plant it outdoors, but then I live in the southwestern US. But do a search online for different palms.
  • Rhonda Clements Rhonda Clements on Apr 18, 2016
    It is a Dracena, I have 3 of them in my yard in Seattle, this is how they grow, the bottom leaves die off
    • Chey Chey on Apr 19, 2016
      @Rhonda Clements a Dracena - yes, I imagine if they are planted outside that is how it would look. All Dracenas in my neck of the woods are small stem/trunk indoor plants. Very good!
  • Rhonda Clements Rhonda Clements on Apr 19, 2016
    There are around 110 species of Dracaena, and this is one
  • Chris Chris on May 18, 2016
    Its a yucca tree It will be fine and can tolerate freezing temps
  • This is a Dracaena plant. We always called them "ponytail" plants due to their shape. It is normal for the bottom leaves to turn brown. Just trim them off. In a cold weather climate, they must be kept indoors or they will die. They love the sun.
  • Christina K. Lawrence Christina K. Lawrence on May 22, 2016
    I have a similar plant. When it gets too leggy, I cut off the top, plot it back in the pot and it roots and grows without any other intervention. Usually the stem, which is now empty will start to sprout side shoots.
  • Judy Judy on May 23, 2016
    Yucca is a perennial plant and can stay outdoors...I live in Canada and mine are outside...Dracaena can not be let outside in the cold winters....yes the leaves normally die off.
  • Cheryl Gyles Cheryl Gyles on May 24, 2016
    I have these in two of my outdoor planters. I did not pull them before winter last year and just figured I'd have to replace them come spring, but surprisingly they made it through. I removed the brown leaves and watered, and I am now seeing new shoots coming up from the center.
  • Bettz Bettz on May 24, 2016
    It's not a ponytail palm. They have a huge bulb like thing above the dirt. It is a dracena. It needs a lot of light. When you bring it in, you have to make sure it gets the same light as it does outside. Mist it, too. It can get spider mites in the dry heat.
  • Brenda Owens Brenda Owens on May 26, 2016
    I agree with Judy. Appears to be a Yucca plant to me. I have 2 of them and they are perennials.
  • Judy Judy on May 27, 2016
    No you miss understood me...it is a dracena...no doubt....in freezing climates it is a house plant....it gets scales...they seem to love them
  • Bonnie Sunday Bonnie Sunday on May 27, 2016
    I would say it is Yucca also and they come back every year. Out door plant &can become invasive and roots hard to get rid of.
  • Judy Judy on May 28, 2016
    it is a Dracena not a yucca...google it
  • Rhonda Clements Rhonda Clements on May 28, 2016
    it is a Dracena!!!, not yucca, not ponytail palm!!!! I have them all over my yard, the dead ones on the bottom is normal and it is how they grow, remove the dead ones, I live in Seattle and they do fine outside year round here, but we rarely freeze and if we do it is only for a few hours a night normally, but I have cut them down to the ground and they still grow back. If you live where it freezes keep it potted but let it spend spring and summer and even fall outside.
  • Robin Fehsenfeld Robin Fehsenfeld on Jun 01, 2016
    Draecena has many different species
  • Linda Davis Linda Davis on Jun 06, 2016
    Evan cut it off to a stump, 3 or 4 inches tall, water moderately and feed in Spring, return to shades spot outdoors and it should have 2 or 3 sprouts off the stump.
  • SS SS on Jun 25, 2016
    Remember, plants that you move inside and out must adjust to the new environment as for light and water especially.
  • It's a dracaena. That's the way they grow, losing leaves at the bottom. You can remove the dead ones so it looks better. If it freezes in the winter where you are you need to bring it inside in the winter. Otherwise is can enjoy the patio.
  • Annie Doherty Annie Doherty on Jul 05, 2016
    Dracaena does grow in this way as previous posts it does not enjoy extremes of temperature. If you cannot leave it in a sheltered patio to overwinter, maybe put in a light unheated room. It hates central heating and dry air. Don't over water better to spray with water lightly. If it doesn't thrive I would agree with Linda and cut back. I have had success by chopping the top of a Dracaena using rooting hormone and replanting outside, this plant now has five new shoots. Sometimes it's better for the plant somehow it seems to give it more vigour. Good luck with yours
  • Jacqueline duhart Jacqueline duhart on Jul 23, 2016
    Looks like a yucca plant.
  • Bernadette Staal Bernadette Staal on Jul 27, 2016
    From the view I see it might be a Yucka. Take a sample of a leaf to a garden centre.
  • Dee Dee on Aug 01, 2016
    I agree with Jacqueline, I think it's a Yucca plant. I bought 3 planters with geraniums and the Yucca growing in the middle. Try google, it will tell you the type of Yucca it is. I have purple ones too. Good luck!
  • Marcia Marcia on Aug 02, 2016
    Yuccas have a very rough scale on their leaves . Makes them feel like a file. There are many kinds of dracaenas that are used as he upright statement in a planter.
  • MaryAnn McCollum McNees MaryAnn McCollum McNees on Aug 03, 2016
    If it is a yucca, they thrive in hot sun and can stay out all winter, if our northwest region winters don't kill it nothing will. I don't think it is a yucca because the yucca will spread out and th leaves are wider. It looks more like a dracaena
  • Judy Judy on Aug 04, 2016
    It is a draceana....not a yucca
  • Pom6362415 Pom6362415 on Aug 09, 2016
    Here in Missouri the nurseries call it a spike and it is used for height in containers. I have had one I have wintered over for three years and it too is beautiful. I understand they cannot be left out in very cold weather. Also very easy to take care of. I just water and fertilize it once in a while.
  • Sharon Abbott Sharon Abbott on Aug 09, 2016
    I have good luck with mine I just set it out for the good weather and bring it in before the frost put it in a sunny window water twice a month and fertilize it once a month. the little brown dead leaves on the bottom are ready to pull off with a gentle tug don't pull them off my family did that to one of mine and it killed it.
  • Shirley Vivio Shirley Vivio on Aug 10, 2016
    Looks like a lemon plant to me. If it is you can use all of those leaves in cooking. Take a branch or two to the nursery and find out if it is.
  • Judy Judy on Aug 11, 2016
    Draceana or spike plant...is probably poisonous...please do not make tea from leaf
  • Lori Biggerstaff Clark Lori Biggerstaff Clark on Aug 15, 2016
    It is a ponytail palm. Do not over water it. Goes dormant in winter .Prefers outdoors in part shade/sun .
  • Dan9953386 Dan9953386 on Aug 20, 2016
    'Garden answers' one of many plant identification apps available on the play store. Take a picture of the plant & it will give you choices of what it is. I've used it & can usually find out what the plant is & then research how to care for it. Hope this helps.
  • WendyM1960 WendyM1960 on Aug 24, 2016
    it is not dying it is kind of like a palm tree where the bottom is kind of bare and grows only on the top parts. The name is on the tip of my tongue.
  • Mary-ann Thorne Mary-ann Thorne on Aug 25, 2016
    This plant is a type of cordaline (?) and it grows this way. The leaves on the bottom of the trunk die off and the top will grow more leaves. In New Zealand these plants can be 4 or 5 meters tall. Good luck.
  • Kor3691383 Kor3691383 on Aug 25, 2016
    Kia ora Mary-Ann, I replied to this question seems like months ago, we know this plant so well here in NZ, - it is what we commonly call a Cabbage tree, and it is of the Cordaline tree family.
  • Suzi Suzi on Sep 15, 2016
    Cordyline australis is its name and will grow up to 10m tall. It's probably pot bound and needs a much bigger pot or putting outside. They will also flower whe at a good size. They are endemic in New Zealand.
  • Evieevyev Evieevyev on Sep 21, 2016
    Look like a yucca tree ,plant start from the bottom and pull those stubby piece then the dead leaves you will have a pretty trunk they do that has they grow n went not enough or too much water google it if it gets tall you can break n plant top n new heads grow on stump just keep them moist not soggy. Thou u can put the top in water to root the stump might grow more then one top n then they look kool
  • Vicki Forguson Bauer Vicki Forguson Bauer on Sep 25, 2016
    Cut the plant trunk about 6-8" from the base. Poke a hole in the soil and push the cutting in firmly. It will take root and the original will sprout new growth. When LR gets too gangly just cu it in half again. Soon you will have a jungle fit for a few house lizards or tree frogs. 🐸
  • Kor3691383 Kor3691383 on Sep 26, 2016
    For Stem cuttings - cut off the main stem just below the head and then saw off 5cm thick blocks of stem and place them 3cm deep in pure peat in a heated frame. Keep them moist until they are rooting well, then pot them up into individual pots. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Suckers. These are best removed in early spring and planted out in situ. Protect the division from wind and cold weather and do not allow the soil to become dry until the plant is established. Divisions can also be potted up and grown on until established, planting them out in the summer.