Dracaena Canes: One Sprouting at Base, One Dead—Repot Out of Self-Watering Pot

Your two Dracaena canes in a self-watering pot: one dead (brown, mushy base, musty smell), one sprouting at bottom. The pot killed them.

Why Self-Watering Pots Fail

Constant moisture → no root respiration → feeder roots rot → plant dies. Large anchor roots remain, fooling you.

Rescue the Survivor

1. Move to plain pot with drainage tray.
2. Soil: cheapest potting soil + perlite (2:1).
3. Pour out self-watering reservoir (outside/sink).
4. Fungus gnats (black flies) are scavengers on rot—not the cause.

Dead Cane Lesson

No fine feeder roots = couldn't absorb water. Mushy base = rot. Survivor will follow if not moved.

Act now. Self-watering pots are plant killers for Dracaenas.