Dracaena Marginata (maybe) problems - too tall & falling over

6 years ago

I bought this potted plant from IKEA at least 8 years ago. It has survived several apartment moves, it has survived me forgetting to water it for 2+ months, etc. The closest thing I can find on IKEA's web catalog right now is this: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80303531/

My plant, however, looks slightly different. It is two stems at the base, twisted together for ~3 feet, then one of the stems splits into two and the other splits into three smaller stalks/branches. The leaves are not stiff and never have been though - this is why I'm not 100% sure I have a Dracaena Marginata. Here are a few pictures of my plant/tree (hopefully Imgur links work here...): https://imgur.com/a/M6rKe

Now that you have the background and (hopefully!) some photos, here's my problem: in recent months the growth has skyrocketed. The plant is now top-heavy and leans over pretty far.

1. Should I be providing support for the main "trunk" (i.e. where the 2 stems are twisted together)? If so, what? My only thought has been to tie some string around it and anchor it to the wall, but that can't be the best solution!

2. Should I be trimming the top? It's great that it's growing (I feel like I'm finally getting a bit of a green thumb!!), but I don't want it to be detrimental to the longevity of the plant.

Thanks for helping!

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Comments (6)

actuarialchef
Original Author
6 years ago
See imgur link for pics of it leaning: https://imgur.com/a/M6rKe
Laurie (8A)
6 years ago
It is a Dracaena marginata. It looks a little worse for the ware. It looks like overwatering damage with some rot probably starting, which would leave stems weak enough to lean over. Look at the trunk down near the soil. It is discolored dark right out of the soil, then there looks like almost a waterline where it gets whitish, and then looks a bit wrinkled, above that. Does that section feel firm and normal? The leaves are yellowing, the way mine did when I overwatered it.

Does the pot have holes for draining and allowing salts to be leached out of the soil. Years of watering a big plant with nowhere for water to ever run out is lethal sooner or later. If it were mine, I would have a look at the roots, to see if they are firm and white or are they dark, withered, and rotting. Does the soil smell like potting soil or does it stink. Whatever the answers, you will be able to save the tops and reroot them to make a nice new plant. If you feel the trunks have nothing wrong and are just leaning from too much growth, then they will sprout new tops for you too. There are sites you can google for great instructions.

The plant you showed a picture of is a yucca. It will want less watering, and more sun. Keep us posted and Good luck.
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It sounds like it may be more of a case of under-watering? Dracaena do not like to be sopping wet, but letting them dry out completely is not good either. The stems flopping over is also symptomatic of under-watering. I adopted a D. marginata "tricolour" that did the same thing. I would recommend picking up a moisture meter, mine has helped me out a lot. And here's another cool trick I've learned from this forum; D. marginata will have a dark spot on it's trunk when it's sufficiently watered. Sort of a natural moisture meter. :)
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In most cases, stem and root rot in D marginata plants comes as a result of a bacterial infection (Erwinia carotovora), which doesn't respond to chemical treatments. Warm and wet conditions promote the growth of this organism, so over-watering and heavy soils should always be avoided. The disease I mentioned, and other soft rot diseases are usually first noticed on the basal (bottom) portion of the plant, most often at or just above the soil line or in roots. The affected part of the lower stem gets wet looking and dark, before it turns dark brown dark brown and turns spongy. The periderm (bark) usually separates from the cambium, which is the 'puffy' symptom you described. It also usually has the same odor as wetwood or slime flux in trees - a sour smell. If all the stems have a common root system, it's unlikely the plant will maintain viability over the long term. If they are separate plants, started as individual cuttings, I would remove the infected plant and the associated roots, and repot the remaining cuttings in an appropriate soil - one that is durable, well-aerated, and free-draining. In advance, I'll say it's a poor time to be repotting, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Your call. Fertilizer sticks provide nutrients in a form that is slowly soluble. As soon as the nutrients dissolve in the soil solution, they disperse throughout the container, so it's not true that they only fertilize in the immediate area of the sticks. Think of a sugar cube or teaspoon of salt dropped in a cup of cold water. As soon as the sugar or salt goes into solution, it evenly disperses throughout the water and reaches an equilibrium (isotonicity). The same thing happens with the sticks and the soil solution (water in the soil). For a number of reasons, though, I don't like fertilizer sticks and would avoid using them if I could, though they are better than nothing if used appropriately. Did I understand correctly - that you potted up, then returned the plant to the smaller pot it was originally in? Commonly, I suggest that you leach the container to try to ensure the level of soluble salts is as low as it can be, while still maintaining an adequate charge of nutrients in the soil, but how you decide to proceed with regard to what you do about the dying plant and repotting would probably have an impact on what steps are most appropriate ..... Al
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I did see this post which is so old. I live in zone 9 in Houston. I have your particular plant outside in my garden in the ground. We had a horrible freeze last year & the year before 12 degrees last winter. This particular drac always comes back from the roots. Came back this year & the year before. I don't know about constant really low temps, but, knowing me, I would try, especially not liking houseplants. You could try this with a cutting. Also the areca palm was planted next to my house and withstood many freezing winters. Information out is that this palm needs to be in the house. I realize it was planted right next to the house. We finally had to dig it out since it continued to grow sideways creating more and more growth. Also cordylines/ti plants always come back just like the drac. Tropical growers need to know this experience. Happy growing. Carol
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Hi I have a similar question! I went to a friends house and they were throwing a large Dracaena into the garbage. They had uprooted and left it outside in the front yard (and it was a hot day.) I immediately put it in a vase of water and took it home. Let it soak for 24 hours and replanted it today in a mix of cactus and potting soil, and watered. The stem is green underneath all the way to the soul, however the roots did seem dried out (I also think they probably were not gentle when they unpotted it.) Since the leaves have started turning brown and wilting. I pulled some dead ones off. Looks worse than when I found it. Not sure how long it was outside as the person who did it was not there. Could have been a day, pr a few days but since leaves had not totally wilted I am hoping it was for under a few days. As you can see the top looks like it is going to fall off. Just wanted to know if it has a chance? If there is anything I can do? Watering? And also if deck is best or inside for recovery (it is hot but not in direct sun out there.) Thanks! Any tips are appreciated!
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litterbuggy (z7b, Utah)
6 years ago
Just by the way, my dracaena marginata's leaves drooped like yours until it went out on the porch this summer, and all the leaves that grew since then are all spiky.

More sunlight would also help strengthen and thicken the stem, though it might need support to keep it from bending over until it could stay upright by itself.

I look forward to seeing more info about your plant, Christina.
Laurie (8A)
6 years ago
I had one I worried about that perked up well, when I lowered watering and increased light. I hope this is all Christina needs too.
actuarialchef
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks to all for the replies. I apologize for being MIA - I've had a busy few weeks and haven't been able to devote time to a decent reply. Thank you for your patience :)

"Look at the trunk down near the soil. It is discolored dark right out of the soil, then there looks like almost a waterline where it gets whitish, and then looks a bit wrinkled, above that. Does that section feel firm and normal?"
The whole trunk feels firm and normal, "waterline" discoloration included. The "waterline" line has been there since about the 1st year.

"Does the pot have holes for draining and allowing salts to be leached out of the soil. Years of watering a big plant with nowhere for water to ever run out is lethal sooner or later."
The pot does not have holes for draining. I plan to pick up a new pot this weekend - hopefully the local Home Depot or Lowes sells clay pots with holes in the bottom, as I do like the look :) - I'm assuming I should shake out as much of the soil as possible and replace it. But with what? Just a generic potting mix? When I first got it I potted it in this container with Miracle Gro (which I now know is bad!) and it has never been re-potted.

Shortly after writing my original post I moved the plant into the den/2nd bedroom. It's the only room in the apartment that gets direct sunlight - it gets several hours of afternoon sun. All yellow leaves have since dropped but I am left with several that are dry at the ends. I haven't watered it since the day I wrote my original post and the soil still does not yet feel excessively dry.
Marley Lawrence
3 years ago
Do you still have your plant? this was a few years ago but I have one too. If it was in the corner then it was leaning for light. You can prune them as well. Google how to prune my dracaena margintina. Curious how you made out.

Dracaena Marginata (maybe) problems - too tall & falling over

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actuarialchef
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Laurie (8A)

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Dracaena Marginata (maybe) problems - too tall & falling over

Comments (6)

actuarialchefOriginal Author

Laurie (8A)

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litterbuggy (z7b, Utah)

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actuarialchefOriginal Author

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actuarialchef
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Original Author