Question
Hi Will,

I have a madagascar dragon tree inside my house. I've purchased it about a month ago from Home Depot. I replanted the plant using soil that I've bought at the same time. I live in an apartment that has carpeting. Recently I've noticed that I have worms crawling on my carpet. First I didn't know where were coming from, but I have discovered that they are coming from the soil of my dragon tree. They are discusting, and that is a lot of them! I don't know how they got there. I don't think that they were in the soil, because the soil was in a plastic bag, sealed, when I bought it. However; I've found a butterfly in my apartment not so long ago, so I'm thinking maybe the butterfly was the source. I would like to ask you what I can use to put in the soil to kill the worms and how I can do that without destroying my beautiful tree, which is now outside on the patio, so the worms don't crawl around my house. Please respond ASAP. I don't want to go back to Home Depot because the people that work there do not really know anything.
Thank you

Monika

Answer
Hi Monika,

The worms came in with either the soil that the plant was potted in or in the bagged soil that you purchased. In either case, Home Depot is responsible. The worms did not come in from outside or via the butterfly.

If I were you, I would take both the plant and the soil back to HD and demand a refund. Potted plants and potting soil intended for indoor use should be pest and worm free.

If you choose not to return your Dracaena marginata, then  unpot it and remove all of the new soil that you added. Put the plant back into its original pot. Do this because it is NEVER  a good idea to repot a new plant for at least 3-6 months.

Once you have removed all traces of the bagged soil, you can then see if the worms remain. If they do, then try plunging the plant up to its pot rim in plain water and leave it for about 30 minutes. This will cause the worms to surface in search of air and make it easy to remove them. Then let the soil drip-dry and return it to a sunny location inside.

Your Dracaena is a tropical plant and will not tolerate temps below 55 degrees. In addition, any direct outdoor sun is too intense for its foliage. I suggest you get it back inside ASAP.

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

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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