I don't think misting is a good idea, it could spread the disease. It could be from overwatering but from experience I know they can take a lot of water once in a while. Read the information provided in 'Cordyline Production Guide' and see if something rings a bell. Here is a link that might be useful: Cordyline Production Guide

Hi Jen...First, isolate the Ti ASAP..Remove from neighboring plants..Hope it's not too late.. Mind if I ask where you purchased this plant? If an online store, I would definatly go to www.gardenwatchdog.com and leave negative feedback. There are several ways to go about resolving this problem, but if it were my plant, I'd take outside, discard old soil, clean pot thoroughly. Repot in new soil/and clean container. It sounds like whomever grew this plant before you did so outdoors. This is conjecture.. Can you remove the brown spots or are they embedded in the leaves? If they can be scraped off, it sounds like scale. (scale look like brown or white bumps and can be removed w/fingernail) If they're enbedded in the leaves, it could be anything from soil being kept too dry to insect damage. Could the worm you saw be a milipede? They have legs unlike standard worms. Milipededs are found in soils..They normally won't harm a plant, but after time are known to eat roots. Still, harmless or not, who wants 'pedes in soil? As for the spider..Spider mites are tiny..I've never seen mites as large as fleas, so I'm assuming what you're seeing is a house spider..Again, if this plant was grown outdoors, spiders will move in pot. In the meantime, if you're worried about mites, check foliage thoroughly..look for find webbing..thinner than webbs of a common spider. BTW, how many did you spot? Are you certain you saw a gnat? What was its color? Usually fungus gnats run quickly when soil is watered; they have a silvery hue. They appear when soil is kept too wet and air is dry. Since I only use home made insecticides, I can't advise on any brands... In the meantime, I'd inspect Ti and Anthuriums for bugs..and please relocate Ti from all plants. Ti's are known to attract spider mites.. What about leaves? Does foliage look pale in color? W/mite infestation, leaves look a mottled/pale yellow. If you decide to repot your Ti, afterwards, spray leaves w/soapy water. 2 drops of dishsoap per mister of water. I also add citrus rind, garlic, stuff mites find distastful. I also use Fish Emulsion to rid scale. Many ppl use Neem Oil.. Common spiders are 'supposed' to be good for plants, eating plant bugs. LOL..I'd rather rid pests myself and forget the spiders..Some ppl use rubbing alcohol for scale, wiping the leaf off using a cotton ball/Q-tip. There are several insecticides on the market alleged to rid several pests..I would think Pyrethum (SP) would be safest..Please keep us posted..Toni

It's good that you recognize your desert conditions will be a challenge for the Cordyline. But if you want to give them a shot... 1) Morning sun and beneath the semi-shady canopy and protection of taller plants/trees 2) Sandy soil dries out quickly, so I would probably do some organic amending; no peat unless you are sure you can keep the area moist 3) Under protection, maybe, although they may defoliate 4) Regular moisture without being soggy, and it's okay for them to get slightly on the dry side between waterings, but never bone-dry I have experience growing them in coastal San Diego and east (wet) Hawaii, but no desert experience.

Sounds like too much sun, mine did the same. Kat