How to care for a dracanea tree?

Elizabeth
by Elizabeth

Hi, I've had a tree (indoors) for a number of years (I think it's a dracaena tree but I'm not sure - see picture) and it seems to be dying. The leaves are coming off and look wilted. I water it once a week. What am I doing wrong?

  8 answers
  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Feb 25, 2019

    way too much water, water as needed not on set schedule-thoroughly dry then water. can't water on schedule because conditions change in house, outside, more or less humidity, heat on/off, so plants won't need as much water some times & more others. Dracena are caning plants and they will loose leaves if you don't want it so tall and leggy put directly in front of bright light window,and cut it off, use a very sharp set of pruning shears, new nodules/plant shoots will begin to grow from stalk just remove them where you do not want them(rub them off with your finger) they will form around cuts you made first just remove them or it will get bushy on top & get top heavy. put cut off pieces/tops either in water or soil to restart new plants. don't overwater the new cut off pieces they will rot. #1 killer of houseplants is overwatering & too much care every 6 mos give your plants some Miracle grow water soluble fertilizer give it as one of the regular waterings. It actually looks very healthy

  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Feb 25, 2019

    Thank you, Lynn - this is great info.

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Feb 26, 2019

    Have you checked your pot? That's a large plant and may need new soil and a larger pot. It may be root bound and the soil may be depleted.

  • Gina Gina on Feb 26, 2019

    I use miracle grow fertilizer spikes. You can get them at Walmart for a buck.

    Not messy at all and come in a thirty pack


  • Annie Annie on Feb 27, 2019

    I’ve had a dracena for over 25 years, and I just water when dry, and it sits in a sunny window. It sheds leaves occasionally but always grows back more :)

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Feb 28, 2019

    Your dracena needs much more sun and a lot less water! Only water him when the soil is dry down to the first knuckle on your finger.


    "Dracaena require less water than most indoor plants. Keep them hydrated by misting the leaves with water and keeping the soil lightly misted (never soggy) as well with good drainage. Always allow the top soil to dry out before watering. Do not overwater, as it may cause root rot."


    I would leave him to completely dry out. Add fresh soil and mix as much as possible without disturbing his roots. You can give him Miracle Gro every 2 weeks per the instructions. He will like that!


    He is extremely leggy right now and I would prune him. Here are instructions

    https://m.wikihow.com/Prune-Dracaena


    If it's possible, take him outdoors for more sunlight for awhile or even through the summer. πŸ˜ŽπŸŒ΄πŸ‘

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 20, 2021

    Hi, Cut the tree off at a suitable place and it will re-shoot. Place the cuttings into water and they will shoot too.