I took this plant home from work because nobody was caring for it. I don't know what kind it is. Originally it was beautiful. Each leaf WAS large (so large that the stems were not visible) and very green with a white area in the middle (this is visible from the photo). The stems look like bamboo shoots (they are green with "growth like" rings). I've had it for several months, and it just seems to be going down hill. Almost all of the leaves have turned yellow and fallen off, the ends of each leaf have a dry spot on the tip. I've tried watering it a little, medium and a lot. It is in a pot that does not have drain holes. I've fertilized it with Miracle-Gro indoor plant food spikes (3-4 spikes, it's about an 8" pot), I've also tried Miracle-Gro water soluble plant food mixed (1 tsp. to 1 gal. of water) without success and no fertilizer at all. I have it in the bathroom right now because it seems to prefer more direct sunlight rather than less. I love this plant and would really like to bring it back to its original state. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
it does look like dumbcane. i don't have that one, so i'm not sure of what it needs for soil/water/light. do some searches on this site as well as google for specific info on this plant. generally, all plants should be in a container that has drain holes so that the excess water can drain out. even plants that like moister conditions should still have drainage available. since it is in a pot without drainage, the roots are likely rotting. i'd remove it from the pot and let it sit (on newspapers) for a couple of hours. then gently remove some, not all, of the soil from the roots and if you see any really badly rotted roots, trim them off. repot in a container with drainage holes. unless you end up removing all the soil from the roots i wouldn't water the plant for a week or so after repotting - if you leave a good majority of the current soil around the roots, it'll have enough moisture to manage for a bit. i really don't want to recommend a watering schedule because i'm not familiar with that plant and don't want to tell you something that's incorrect. i'm sure someone else will come along that IS familiar with it and can give you instructions for that, tho! same for lighting - i don't know what this one requires and it may be getting more or less than its ideal and that may be contributing to the problems. it's a lovely plant and i'm sure it'll survive once you get it better situated!
oh, yes! i'd left that out...since the pot it's in now doesn't have drainage AND you've been fertilizing it, the damage could be from the excess fertilizer that's had no where to drain out. generally, i don't fertilize in the winter unless there is a specific plant that needs it (like orchids) and even then, i do no more than half strength of what i usually do and only give it every 4-6 weeks.
Yes, you have a Dieffenbachia of some sort (or dumbcane) and yes overwatered. All the above advise is spot on. Maybe you might like to put some sand or Perlite in the mix to help it drain better, once you repot it. Good luck Ed
Thank you so much!! I looked up a pic of dumbcane and I'm positive that's what it is now. I have been caring for it incorrectly (obviously), but I vow to make it a healthier and more beautiful plant.
Hi Joclyn, I looked up dumbcane, and sure enough, you were correct!! Thank you so much for taking the time and energy to help me with this problem. I will be following your advice and the advice of the web pages I have visited in order to get this beautiful houseplant back to the way it looked when I first got it.
Thank you for your contribution, I had no idea that fertilizer was only for thriving plants. I was under the assumption that in order to thrive (whether they were in good shape or not) plants needed to be fertilized all the time. Thanks for setting the record straight. You have prevented me from killing any current and future plants that I own!! :)
Hi Ed, I appreciate your response. I will be repotting today, and I am going to pick up some soil with peat moss, perilite and possibly some sand too to help with absorbtion. Cross your fingers!! If it weren't for all of the kind people posting responses for me, I would have never known what to do with this plant. Thanks again!!
