Identification: Help my plant is dying!

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by terri70, Mar 18, 2008.

  1. terri70

    terri70 Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, IL U.S.
    My indoor palm tree plant is dying and I am not sure what type of plant it is, it was given to me. It is a indoor palm tree plant with green and white leaves. Does anyone know the name or possible name?
     
  2. Bluewing

    Bluewing Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    I doubt it's a palm with variegated leaves. Maybe a dracaena? Dracaena deremensis Warneckii? Can you post a picture, or give a little more detail about the plant?
     
  3. terri70

    terri70 Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, IL U.S.
    I don't have a picture of it nor do I have a digital camera, I know stoneage but I'll get there. The plant has the stem that looks like a palm, leaves that look like a palm and doesn't have all the leaves at the top it has the leaves steming out from mid stem to the top.
     
  4. terri70

    terri70 Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, IL U.S.
    You are correct it is a dracaena deremensis, I found a picture of it on picsearch website and the leaves on the picture are brown like mine. That is the problem,
    I've had my plant for four years now and never have the leaves turned brown.
    I moved to a basement apartment where it's not a good idea to have the blinds open
    for light but I do open them a little and have the plants by the window. It is also cold by the window and in forier where I have them so it could be a combo of the two. It is going to warm up soon but I think they went into shock. Do you think they will be okay for about another week of cold?
     
  5. Bluewing

    Bluewing Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    The plant will still be ok in 65 - 70 degrees since they like the same comfortable temperatures as people but without any cold drafts.
    It sounds like your dracaena is not getting enough light and maybe it IS too cold. It should survive another week of cool temps and what sounds like very low light, but many plants do not do well if in low light, or cold long term.

    I don't know what the temps are in the basement, but try not to keep the soil wet and try not to over water, but do let the soil dry between waterings. Try giving it more light if you can. Dracaena's do very well in bright indirect light, and maybe move it back away from the window a little bit if it's drafty.
    Chlorine and fluoride in "hard water" can also cause browning, so a water change from where you used to live might also be a contributor.
     

Share This Page