The flying lizard tree ( Dracaena marginata ) is a popular houseplant admired for its attractive lance - shaped foliage However , yellowing leaves are not only unsightly but can bespeak fundamental problem
If your dragon Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is arise yellow leaves , do n’t panic . There are several coarse reasons this can occur , along with things you may do to restore the works ’s wellness and vigor
1. Underwatering
Dragon Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree prefer consistently moist ( but not wet ) soil . Underwatering causes the low-spirited leaves to move around icteric and become crisp or shriveled first . As the condition worsens leaves will fall off and rest foliage looks dull .
Check the soil wet before watering . Water thoroughly until it enfeeble from the pile ’s bottom . Allow the top few inch of grime to dry out between lachrymation . Increase tearing frequency in summer or warmer elbow room .
2. Overwatering
While dragon Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree need steady moisture , concentrated soil denies roots oxygen . prolong overwatering causal agency yellowing leaves , leafage drop curtain , dull growth , and eventual root rotting .
Allow the potting mix to partly dry between waterings . weewee less in wintertime when ontogeny slows . ameliorate drainage by repotting in a intermixture improve with perlite or orchid bark . Discard any hokey or foul - smelling roots .
3. Excessive Light
Dragon trees perform well in brilliant , indirect brightness . Too much direct sunshine scorch leaf , turning them yellow then chocolate-brown . New leave may be small .
Filter sunlight through a sheer curtain . Move the pile far away from south or west - face window . Light nicety under a tree is idealistic outdoors in summertime . Rotate the pot weekly to evenly distribute light exposure .
4. Low Humidity
Dry indoor zephyr during winter can cause leafage point to turn brown or yellow . This spread out along the margins without right humidness . Misting helps but is only temporary .
Use a pebble tray or humidifier to maintain 40 - 50 % humidness . Group plants together to boost local moisture levels . Keep away from heating / AC vents . throttle drafts and temperature fluctuations .
5. Drafts and Temperature Changes
Sudden temperature drop from inhuman windows , open doors , or being aim outdoors can outrage dragon trees . foliage respond by yellowing or developing dry , brownish spots .
Keep in a stable environs between 65 - 80 ° F . quash drafts from window , vent or under doors . Move flora step by step between indoors and alfresco to acclimatise them . supply subtlety for outdoor plants .
6. Underfeeding
Like most plants , dragon Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree need plant food to thrive . Without fair to middling nutrient , low-pitched leaves gradually twist chicken and drop as the plant cannibalizes itself . increase slows down .
Feed every 2 - 4 weeks during leaping and summertime with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength . moneyed the soil monthly to prevent salt buildup . In drop and wintertime , fertilise monthly or cease feeding .
7. Potbound Roots
If the rootball is dense and tooth root egress from the drainage hole , the plant life is potbound . This prevents right breeze and pee circulation . folio yellow from stress .
Replant in a container one size larger , using fresh potting mix amended with compost or dirt ball castings . Trim off any circled or ravel roots before repot . blank waterings further apart in a big potbelly .
8. Pests
louse such as mealybugs , scale , and spider soupcon suck sap and cause xanthous stippling or spot . Undersides of leaves may feel muggy or cottony from honeydew and webbing .
Isolate and prune off infested parts . Remove plague with a strong flow of water , insecticidal grievous bodily harm , neem oil colour , or other organic pesticide . go for monthly until gadfly are gone . insure good flora hygienics going forward .
9. Age-Related Decline
As lower leave naturally age , they yellow and fall off over time . This is normal senescence , take into account the plant to focus vigor on Modern increase . But it happens quicker without right upkeep .
Always remove spent leaves promptly . ply good wet , humidity , luminousness , and aliment to further new leafage . Repotting into fresh soil also rejuvenate root growth . As long as Modern farewell grow , sure-enough leaf loss is nothing to worry about .
With its graceful form and resiliency , the flying lizard tree makes an fantabulous down - maintenance houseplant . By addressing any fundamental topic and providing consistent care , those yellowing leaf should return to their vivacious green beaut .
LuEsther T. Mertz Library Plant & Research Help
I think I might be over lacrimation , but wanted to see if you have any advice . I m unfamiliar with this diverseness , so am unsure of its care .
Dracaena plants require the same things every clock time : bright or filtered sunlight , veritable watering at the roots , a monthly eating during the growing season ( March to October ) , and a way with enough humidness .
want of humidness is one of the most common reasons for problems with dracaena . Leaf tips turning brown go with by leaf exit and yellowing folio margin are revelatory of grim humidness . Placing your plant on top of a dish meet with small stones and water will ameliorate plant humidness . ( Do not grant the water to touch the bottom of the plant pot ) . Spray daily with a Mr ; consider the use of a humidifier in the driest month .
photo to a source of cold air travel ( unfastened windowpane , air conditioner ) can produce the same effect . If your plant is right-hand at the window , the moth-eaten night may be adversely affecting it .
Based on how your plants look , it ’s less likely that too slight or too much watering is the problem . But you could be sure by tight look at the brown spots . When works are underwater , they get chocolate-brown spots and crisp edge on their leaves , as well as leaf curl and washy stems . This is less likely to be the issue with your flora since the leaf look mostly square and firm . You are giving the works too much water if there are soft spot on the leafage and any rotting , wilting , or bleaching .
Leaf point is a bacterial disease that may be present if your industrial plant is being hurt by too much H2O , too much inhuman , or not enough light . Look for damp or blistered area on the leave to fix whether you have foliage point . If so , get rid of affect works material and increase temperature , light , ventilation and dilute lacrimation frequency .
Also , you should know that dracaena leaves turn yellow and fall off when they get quondam . This mean that the lower leaves will start to break down after about a year .
you could find more data on the care of this works in ourGuide to Dracaena .
Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information
