Toni, I didn't keep one over this past winter but I did do it several winters ago. I kept 2 of the green variety, and both did well, growing in a large sw window (I'm guessing 5ft tall by 6ft wide, so large window for me). Problem is they got big, when I measured their diameter after Christmas they were 4ft across, and poking guests in the face or eyes because we were so cramped for space! I wasn't gentle with them either, we'd had a light frost (-1 or -2C) for a couple of nights and I'd been toying with the idea of bringing them indoors so I could have HUGE plants to set in my containers the next year, and after the couple of light frosts they still looked okay, so I dug them out (and when I realized their roots went deep I ended up ripping them out, but this is in good potting soil, so it wasn't as violent as it sounds.) Trimmed off any lackluster leaves, gave the roots a good haircut and potted into a 1 gallon black nursery pot. Did not water for several days, and placed the 2 plants in a low light spot. Then gave water and placed in sunny window. Did not drop one leaf due to that treatment. Just continued to grow and grow. Only problem was when I went to use them the next year, there wasn't much room for the other annuals to plant in the pot, but that would be because they now had a bit of a trunk, so I'd sunk them down into the container, and their leaves were at soil level and not leaving much room for the geraniums and petunias. Oh well. Neighbor down the street from me overwintered the reddish purple ones, with the wider leaves (reminds me of the yucca plant) for 2 winters, and she stuck them in their garage through the winter, wrapped loosely in fabric to keep the cold off (from when the garage door opened and closed to park the vehicle-we get -20C days), come spring they were a bit sad, but then they perked up and looked good. But hers had to be grown in more shade during the summer - NW exposure, so maybe that's how they could survive the garage (with a north window that the plants were not set near). Last year she had to buy new ones. And our winters are long, if I am going to overwinter a plant, that means it comes in 1st or 2nd week of September, and does not go out permanently until 3rd or 4th week of May. That is a looong time. This spring I splurged (by my standards!) and forked out $7 for a red star (I think), it's like the green spike but purplie-red with the thinner leaves, I would like to try and overwinter that. The regular green ones, small size, can be bought for $1, so $7 is quite a bit more to get something a bit different, but then I've yet to see the red ones offered for sale in the little 2.5" pots. Good luck with yours. ~kioni~

The blue is not fungus, its residue from fungicide thats been used before you bought the plant. Many fungicides leave a blue or white powdery residue. Nothing to worry about other than that it's toxic if it gets ingested, licked by cats.... In production they keep them very humid and will use fungicides to keep the leaves in pristine shape for sale as the tips often go brown. They should use a mild detergent to clean them for sale. Cordylines also often shed lower leaves when placed in a new environment especially a much drier one. This is also not something to worry about, though you could improve humidity one way or the other. Look at the roots if they are nice and white thus healthy it's not a root problem. Root or stem rot will cause the lower leaves to drop off very quickly. It's unlikely this is your problem indoors though. Older leaves will look spotty and brown parched, before they abort, also no problem. However the large "water mark" in the healthy pink leaf is symptomatic of something, probably dry air in your case or possibly over watering, no drainage at the roots, or even lack of water at the roots, check all these things. It could also be burnt from being too close to a window or a lamp. To increase humidity sit the pot on some pebbles in water don't over water instead. They do like a moist soil but not a boggy one. Indoors they also want the brightest light possible short of actual sun, certainly in summer as the leaves can scorch through glass. The leaves are thin in most cases and burn easily or dry out easily especially the new leaves. Also don't feed more than just a tiny amount once a year indoors. Cordylines quite frankly don't make the best house or office plants because they love humidity and warmth so much and because the leaves are most often quite thin. To recreate ideal conditions would make anyone using the room uncomfortably steamy. However if your climate is good you can place them outside for a few months (even just summer) then inside for one, rotating them as you go, or just inside for winter. Other wise look for the varieties with the thickest leaves to try, there are one or two that with some help should do better as a result. Off hand C. fruticosa "Vanuatu" is one, shiny largish jet black leaves, arranged beautifully. I've never had any problems with it's leaves outdoors in full sun and drenching rain, humidity and a dry warm winter. Some of the rounder paddle shaped small ones or the larger leaved reds with the same thick leathery leaves might also do. Dracaena are all round are far better than Cordyline fruticosa for permanent indoor use. You are unlikely anyway to get a fungus problem on the foliage indoors only possibly at the roots or the cane. Fungicide could help with that but then it must be mushy wet and black to be that. Lower older leaves don't always look their best indoors but it is technically better to wait for them to drop off rather than cutting them off or the plants stem (cane) might get thinner and thinner in the process, bending over and ultimately die. Hope they've survived meantime anyway!

in south FL too, planted everywhere in street landscaping. and that same variegated ginger too! The one with pink tips is called 'Red Sister': the sun brings out the pinks. It's blooming right now. Ctenanthe is not that common though, the one you can see occasionally is Stromanthe 'Tricolor' (related to Ctenanthe), but in private gardens mostly. But then Monstera and giant Aroids and philodendrons are common here like petunias :). not to mention Crotons of all kind and variegated Schefflera hedges! even saw Ming Aralia just flourishing :). But then last 2-3 winters were record breaking warm.

if dead.. things rot .. and eventually it can be easily pulled out.. whats your hurry No "hurry", per se, other than the aesthetics of it this or next year. I liked the look of the mandevilla with it, but I don't have any this year so I probably won't do that again until next year. I was also concerned that the roots of the mandevilla could be wrapped around the roots of the cordyline, and its rotting could lead to killing the other. If that's not an issue, though, then I'll just cut the old stalk down and let it do its thing :-)