Fungus Gnats and Larvae in Song of India (Dracaena reflexa): Fix the Watering

The dark worms and flying gnats in your Song of India’s soil are fungus gnat larvae and adults—caused by overwatering and standing water in the tray.

Immediate Treatment

1. Remove drain tray; let pot drain overnight in tub.
2. Water once with rubbing alcohol (full strength for surface worms; 2:1 alcohol:water for soil drench).
3. Wait 1 hour, remove all liquid.
4. Switch to watering every 14 days. Let soil dry 3+ days between.
5. Add perlite to soil (2:1 soil:perlite) for faster drying.

Key Insight

The gnats don’t kill the plant—the root rot from overwatering does. Gnats are just scavengers. Fix the moisture, and both problems disappear.

Follow-Up

If soil is severely degraded, replace top layer carefully. But drying out is the real cure. Monitor weight—light pot = time to water.

Your plant will recover with strict wet-dry cycles.