Reviving a Dying Spike Plant (Dracaena) Indoors: Light, Pruning, and Watering Tips

A 7-foot spike plant (Dracaena marginata) brought indoors for winter turned brown, dropped leaves, developed a mushy stalk, and emitted an off odor.

Immediate Steps

1. Maximize light. Place the plant directly in front of a south-facing window.
2. Cut back to healthy tissue. Prune the cane to where it is green and firm; it will re-sprout.
3. Water sparingly. Never let water stand in the saucer. Low light reduces water uptake, so the plant needs far less than it did outdoors.

Why This Happens

Moving from high outdoor light to lower indoor light forces the plant to shed older leaves. The mushy stalk indicates rot from overwatering in those conditions. With correct care, the plant usually recovers.