I'll just give you some of my opinions. First, I think it needs to be in a faster draining soil (not regular potting mix). If you've had it in the same soil for 5 years, it's time to change it. I would get regular potting soil and add perlite (2 parts potting soil to 1 part perlite). I don't think the heat vent/open window is good, but not too sure of the effects of that, so I'll leave that to someone else. If you can move it a little bit away so that it can still get some light, that might help. It needs MUCH more humidity. The pebble tray should always have water in it (but never so FULL so that it touches the bottom of the pot...you don't want the pot sitting in water). Misting 2-4X a month does absolutely nothing. MAYBE if you misted daily, 2-4X a day. But with that heater on, the water will dry off immediately. Also, is there a drainage hole in the pot? There MUST be one...if not, get a pot with a drainage hole. And make sure it isn't too rootbound. Are roots sticking out of the drainage hole? If you decide to repot, make sure you have about an inch between the root ball and the pot, so you might have to go up in size (but not too big). I live in cold NY and keep my dracaena marginata out of any direct light. I water it when it is completely dry. But twice a month seems like it might not be enough. You should probably be watering it when the soil is dry, and not so much on a schedule. If it turns out to be 2x a month, then ok...but make sure you don't let it stay dry for too long. And last, do not fertilize until late Spring. Hope that helps, and good luck with your plants :-) Gabi

Amos, your D. marginata should do fine. It's really not in bad condition, and for 5.00, you got a great deal! First, check for insects..Especially Spider Mites and Mealy. Look for fine webbing or white cottony masses. Trim brown tips like Bunnygurl suggested, but leave a little, about 1/8" of brown on each leaf. D marginata soil needs to dry between waterings. The pot looks large, so depending on its soil, it may take time to dry.. Test soil. The pot MUST have drainage. After it's all potted in, trimmed, if possible, place in the shower. Let water run over leaves. You'll have one happy plant. After it's settled, give it a dose of house plant/foliage fertilizer. Good luck, Toni

Anytime you see black leaves, think too much water. First, to try to save the plant, move it to sunlight..a western or southern exposure would be recommended. If you believe you have indeed overwatered, then you have to unearth it to inspect the roots. Plants need water only when they need it....not when you decide to water it. Even when you faithfully don't water too much, maybe what you have given it is too much. Once the plant is out of the pot, inspect the roots for signs of rotting. Put your nose to it. Does it smell gunky...do any of the roots come away easily. If this is the case, wash all the soil off around the roots. Re-pot using fresh potting soil (or a soiless mix) and be sure to put something between the drainage holes and the soil. Shards of clay, stones of size, are just two things...and there are many other things you can choose, to keep the soil away from plugging up the drainage holes. Houseplants must drain after every watering, then allowed to dry down between. On the stairwell. Lots of light...but not direct light. That speaks for light from a fluorescent or incandescent light bulb up on the ceiling. Not good enough. Light from a non-natural light source must be within 6 - 8 inches of the top of the plant to be effective. Move the plant to natural light however what room it goes into. Maybe you put it on the stairwell for decorative purposes. Unfortunately, your plant does not have your house's decor in mind to live its life. It needs light to survive. Light and proper watering and food when it is growing. Never feed a plant that is not growing or is sick. If you feed the plant, water it first, then feed at reduced rates until mid February/March when light levels return. If you just cant bring yourself to tkae the plant away from how it improves the look of the stairwell, think artificial. There are any number of real plants that look exceptional --but are plastic. Michaels and their ilk, have many plants that you will fall in love with and can do wonders for home decor.

Your trees look normal. The older leaves are supposed to point down. That looks like a nice spot for it next to the window. The top leaves are starting to lean toward the window. Rotating it halfway around every a couple weeks should keep it even. Does this pot have a hole in the bottom? 6-8 cups of water should be enough for some to run out of the hole. If it has one, maybe something is blocking it.