Saving an Overwatered Dracaena Fragrans in a Large Pot

Classic Overpotting + Overwatering

Dracaena fragrans has a small root system. Moving to a large urn + watering twice weekly = root rot. Symptoms (brown tips, leaf loss) appear months later as roots die.

Emergency Rescue

1. Unpot immediately. Remove all loose soil not held by roots.
2. Inspect roots: Firm, white/cream = healthy. Brown, mushy, smelly = rot.
3. If few healthy roots remain: Discard plant.
4. If some healthy roots: Cut off all rotted roots. Repot in smallest pot that fits the remaining root ball snugly. Use soilless mix.
5. Water: Wait until top ¼ of soil is dry. Then water thoroughly.
6. Light: Bright indirect (north/east window). "Downlights only" is insufficient.

Prognosis

May be too late, but worth trying. Dracaenas are tough if roots survive.