Question
QUESTION: I have a potted tropical plant Dracaena Fragrans Massangeana (Happy Plant) that I picked up a couple weeks ago and watered it lightly once and I'm not sure how much/often it should be watered . Some of the leaves started to yellow a bit (which seems to be more in the smaller leaves at the base of the plant working its way up to the larger, longer leaves). Can this be a sign of a deficiency of some type, dry or over-watered roots? I know there was a small sprinkling of fertilizer on top of the dirt in the pot when I bought it and have not added anything since (except for the minor watering the one time). The plant is in the corner of my living room in low light. Humidity for the room has been about 35-37% since I brought the plant home. I have cats so I'm not sure the 'pebbles w/ water just under the pot' will work for me. Thanks for any help/suggestions regarding the proper care of my 'new addition.' I will send a picture of the plant to the email address you indicated.
ANSWER: Hi Mark,

Thanks for the photos. You have a very nice-looking corn plant. I do not see anything that trouble me.

The yellowing of the smaller lower leaves is quite common as it adapts to its new environment and also as it ages it will lose some older leaves while it adds new ones up top. Just trim them off as they yellow.

One light watering in two weeks may not be quite enough. Poke your finger into the soil and when it feels dry as far down as you can poke your finger, it is time to water it thoroughly - that means until a little water runs through the drainage holes into the saucer.

If you can open up the blinds that would help a lot. Otherwise it is not going to get any light at all. Artificial light doesn't count.

Don't worry about raising the humidity. Corn plants do just fine in low humidity. They also require very little fertilizer - no more than once per month at half strength and if you skipped it entirely it would not make a noticeable difference.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks. I didn't realize that in its simplest form that I have a corn plant. That makes it easier to relate to others and find information on the web. When you mentioned trimming the yellow leaves is there a special/best way to do that? I know some folks say to just 'twist' them off and not use something like a scissors, while others say cutting is ok. Also - any tricks for keeping interested cats away from the pot? I have come home from work a couple times to catch a cat pawing a bit at the dirt in the pot; nothing major but I don't want to find the plant knocked over because of curiosity. regarding the light, is direct ok or filtered considered best?

Answer
Hi Mark,

It really doesn't matter how you remove the discolored leaves. I often use scissors because they are a bit more efficient. To remove the portion of the leaf that wraps around and attaches to the stem, split the leaf in half lengthwise, pull the two sections apart, and they will peel away easily from the stem.

I am an expert in plants, not pets, so you will have to find a pet expert to better help you with your cat problem.

Direct sun is what you get when the sun shines through a window and directly onto the leaves of a plant. More than an hour or so of direct sun is not good for a corn plant. Direct sun filtered through partially opened blinds or through a very sheer fabric is good. So is indirect light that you get just off to the side of a window where the direct rays do not shine.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]