skip to main content

Houseplant Identification and Care Help

16 years ago

{{gwi:92472}}

{{gwi:92473}}

{{gwi:92474}}

{{gwi:92475}}

{{gwi:92476}}

{{gwi:92477}}

I purchased this small houseplant I think around 2 years ago from a Bunches kiosk in my local mall. It did just fine for a long time. I re-potted it once from the plastic pot it came in to a clay pot. I watered it occasionally and kept it indoors next to a north-west facing window most of the time. There was a fairly long period where I kind of forgot to water it, and the leaves dried up a lot.

On the advice of my dad I removed the dried leaves, mostly around the bottom, and gave it a lot of water. Ever since then it hasn't really improved much. The leaves are always brown and dried at the tips and it's yellowed a little bit. I have no idea what kind of plant this is, or what I should be doing to help it recover. I'm a complete beginner when it comes to plants and really have no idea. I've been watering it fairly often, but it doesn't seem to be helping.

I have several pictures of the plant linked at the top of this message. It used to be a lot fuller around the bottom with straight, fairly fleshy, vibrant-green leaves.

If anyone has any information about what kind of plant this is, if I should remove the dried ends or if there is something else I should be doing, I would really appreciate it! Also, if there is some other source you could reffer me to that might give me some good information I would be very grateful. I've grown a little bit attatched to this plant and really don't want to see it die.

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

mr_subjunctive
16 years ago
It looks to me like one of the compact Janet Craig Dracaenas.

The dried leaf ends won't come back. You can leave them or trim them off with scissors or pull off the entire leaves, according to preference.

Probably your main problem is that you're overwatering. Dracaenas don't like to be soggy. Let it get close to completely dry, and then give it a good soaking, then let it get close to completely dry again.

A smaller potential problem is salt buildup: if you haven't been running a lot of water through the pot on a regular basis, all the minerals dissolved in your water can build up in the soil, which some plants are sensitive to. Again, the easiest way to deal with this would be to give it a good long drenching in the shower the next time you water, to give the minerals a chance to re-dissolve and run out the bottom of the pot. Alternately, if you've had the plant for a couple years already, it might need new soil entirely.

Check the roots to see if they're wrapped around and around the inside of the pot. If they are, it's time to move it up to the next-larger size.

Dracaenas aren't that particular about humidity, but if you're seeing a lot of brown tips, low humidity could be a contributing factor. Is the plant in the path of an air conditioner, or a heating vent?
kangamaru
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you so much for the information! I'm pretty sure you're dead-on about what kind of plant it is. I will let it dry out a bit and then check the roots.

The first time I let it dry out I did run a lot of water through the soil, and that's what I've been doing every time I water it. I think, judging from what you've said, the problem is overwatering. I guess I just saw that the leaves were dry and assumed that water would fix it, but now I know otherwise. Hopefully letting it dry out a bit will solve the problem.

As for the humidity, the place I live, Alberta, is generally pretty dry. The plant is not near a heating vent though, and it was doing fine here before so I don't think it's too much of a problem.

Thanks again for all your help!
Related Discussions
Houseplant Identification Help Needed
Q
Comments (6)
how dare you ??? .. trying to change gunther.. into something he is not ... did the same thing work with your significant other?? .... lol ... that plant is.... what it is.. and is doing just fine.. but it will NEVER BE PERKIER ... take the Latin name... and add 'propagation' ... to a search engine... you can root the tips.. and start a younger.. more vigorous plant ... that will appear perkier ... but frankly.. in a few years.. it will look just about the same.. that is the nature of the beast ... if that pot has no drain holes... learn and be careful about watering .. ken
...See More
Need help in identification and care
Q
Comments (2)
It may be Austrocylindropuntia subulata - here is a close-up of that plant: One of the stems/trunks looks damaged at the soil line, perhaps rotting. This happens when plant is over-watered. Are they all soft? The plant should be erect. Is there a drainage hole in the container? What is it potted in? (soil...?) Where are you located and how often do you water? Is it receiving enough light? Rina
...See More
Identification and Basic Care Help
Q
Comments (7)
Sorry I don't know cacti, so I'll speak to the rest. I think Rina's correct suggesting the oblong dish contains Bromeliads, she said Earth Stars, I believe that Latin name would be Cryptanthus, I think they're considered tropicals. As already IDed, the last pic shows a Snake plant (Sansevieria) & 2 ZZ plants (Zamiocalcus zamifolia). The last pix's soil looks very peaty, not good for any of the 3 plants in the last pic (all 3 are succulents). Also the pot for the Sans, is too large for that plant (unless it has LARGE roots). Overly large pots & peaty soil often combine to cause root rot when overwatered. If you can't get better mix, pls. try to get perlite & then mix it 50/50 w/ that soil. Wait a few days after repotting & then water well 'til water comes out the bottom. I grow several pots of ZZ plants & suspect that yellowing could be a root rot problem. If it were mine, I'd turn it out to check the roots for rot. ZZ plants also have a tuber, like a small potato: sometimes w/ roots, sometimes instead of roots. if you find something like that, it's normal, so pls. don't toss it. I'd avoid those white topdressing stones until you learn these plants & their watering needs. Good luck!
...See More
Need help! Identification and care
Q
Comments (7)
So the three of them are on my porch, and they get sun in the morning, and partial/indirect sun throughout the day. The man that I got them from had a lot of cactus/succulents, but in small pots throughout his back yard. these were his only large ones. He said that they could use repotting, and told me to do a mix of soil and coarse sand so that the roots don't get muddied up. During the winter months, he would just bring them into his living room, dining room and kitchen. They were kept near windows for light. He said that he has never overwintered them. He also showed me a few spots where they were burnt/scorched from the direct sun they were in when he brought them back outside this year. The panachoi was a bit yellow and soft in some spots, but since it has been on my porch for about a week, it has stiffened up in those spots. I can only assume that is a good thing. How often and how much would you suggest watering? I really want to repot all of them, but I am worried about damaging them in the process, especially if I introduce something that they aren't used to. I also don't want to get a pot that is too big, because they are heavy as it is. What do you use for soil? and do I just place them directly in a new pot and fill it with the new mixture? or try to shake off existing soil? Thank you so much for all of your help.
...See More

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR The Perfect Houseplant for People Who Kill Houseplants

By creative jewish mom.com

If you can fill a jar with water, you can keep golden pothos vine happy — and it will pay you back with cleaner air and a greener home

MOVING Relocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move

By Laura Gaskill

Trash bags, houseplants and a good cry all have their role when it comes to this major life change

CONTAINER GARDENS Happy Houseplants, Happy People

By Laura Gaskill

Potted plants add life and beauty to a room. Learn easy ways to keep them healthy

HOUSEPLANTS Outsmart Winter — Make Houseplants of Your Garden Growers

By creative jewish mom.com

No need to watch Jack Frost play Wreck the Rosemary. Bring your garden inside for the winter, using containers and these guidelines

HOUSEPLANTS Aim High With This Tall African Houseplant

By creative jewish mom.com

Corn dracaena can give you a big splash of green with little fuss

HOUSEPLANTS 8 Houseplants You Can't Kill

By J. Peterson Garden Design

They're forgiving and let you forget. Houseplants don't get any easier than this

DECORATING GUIDES Meet a Houseplant That Doesn't Mind Neglect

By creative jewish mom.com

Got better things to do than remember to water your houseplants on schedule? Schefflera will forgive and forget

HOUSEPLANTS Meet a Houseplant With Excellent Communication Skills

By creative jewish mom.com

It droops when thirsty, revives quickly and thrives under fluorescents. You may want to hire this hard worker for both home and office

HOUSEPLANTS Meet a Long-Lasting Houseplant With a Forgiving Heart

By creative jewish mom.com

Low light and little watering won't scar Zee Zee plant for life; this East Africa native has a tolerant nature and an exotic beauty

HOME TECH Hello, It's Your Houseplant Calling

Or even tweeting. Today's apps and gadgets let plants communicate in better ways than with a show of withered leaves

Sponsored

John Romans Construction

1 Review

Franklin County's Full Service, Turn-Key Construction & Design Company

More Discussions

Philodendron Birkin

2

Anyone have a true Christmas cactus?

9

can my gorgeous fiddle leaf be saved?

8

My hoya plant was very nice,till

1

What’s wrong with my plant?

2