Corn Plant (Dracaena) Decline After Repotting: Root Rot Warning

Why Repotting a Struggling Corn Plant Makes It Worse

Fina's 2-year-old corn plant sprouted new shoots at base, then leaves yellowed/browned. She repotted from 15" to 21" pot—now all leaves dead, cane yellowing.

Root Cause

• New basal shoots signal main cane dying.
• Cause: Chronic overwatering. Corn plants need top ⅓ soil dry between waterings.
• Repotting into larger pot added wet soil, accelerating root rot.
• Loose, papery bark on cane = dead cane.

Only Hope

• Drastically reduce watering frequency.
• Wait and watch. Recovery possible if root damage not total.
• Do not fertilize. Bright indirect light.

Prevention: Water by soil dryness, not schedule. Never "pot up" a declining plant.