Dracaena Song of India Care
Dracaena plants vary in size, shape, and color, but all share a main characteristic–their long leaves grow outward and up from a central stalk, or cane. The canes are sturdy, lending an unexpected architectural element to the whimsical foliage.
How to care for your Dracaena Song of India
- LIGHT
Your Dracaena Song of India prefers bright, indirect sunlight, but can survive in low light situations.
- WATER
Water your Song of India thoroughly and allow 50–75% of the soil to dry before watering again. In low light, allow the soil to dry completely before watering. Water your plant less in the winter, when light levels are lower and growth has slowed. Overwatering will cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off, as well as root rot, and the eventual death of the plant.
- HUMIDITY
Your Dracaena Song of India will do well in average humidity environments but will appreciate regular misting.
- TEMPERATURE
Song of Indias like average room temperatures between 65–80 degrees.
- FOOD
Feed once a month during the spring and summer with a liquid fertilizer for indoor plants. No fertilizer is necessary during the winter when plant growth naturally slows.
- TOXICITY
Dracaena Song of India leaves are toxic to pets and humans. Typically, ingestion will cause mouth and stomach irritation with possible vomiting.
- ADDITIONAL CARE
Look out for a common problem called ‘tipping’ when the tips of the leaves dry out and turn brown. This can be caused by a variety of issues like overwatering or fertilizer burn. The most common cause is tap water, which contains salts, chlorine, fluoride, and other elements that may be harmful if built up in the soil. If you do not have a filtration system, leaving the tap water in an open container overnight before watering can help remove some of the chlorine or fluoride or you can use rainwater.
Common Issues for your Dracaena Song of India
Moisture
The most common cause of browning leaf tips among Dracaena plants is under-watering, or allowing your Dracaena to sit dry for extended periods of time. Water your Dracaena when the top 75% of the soil in the pot is dry. Soil should never be soggy or wet. In the winter, you can allow your plant to dry out more between waterings, but be sure to boost humidity with regular misting, a humidifier, or pebble tray.
When you water your Dracaena, make sure you provide enough water so that liquid flows from the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and into the saucer. It’s extremely important to discard any excess water in the saucer and not to let your plant sit in any standing water. Your Dracaena does not like “wet feet,” which will cause the roots to rot and lead to the eventual death of the plant.
Water Quality
The quality of your water could also be causing your Dracaena’s leaves to brown. Dracaena plants are sensitive to the chemicals found in most tap water. Use filtered water or allow your tap water to sit out uncovered overnight before watering so chemicals such as chlorine can evaporate.
Humidity level
Low humidity and dry soil cause leaves to droop and brown on their edges, later followed by entire yellowing, browning, and leaf drop. Misting the leaves of your Dracaena often will increase the humidity. You could also use a pebble tray for a long-term increase in humidity, or use a humidifier.
Pests
A weakened or stressed Dracaena is more susceptible to insect infestations. Sap-sucking bugs like spider mites can drain your plant of moisture. This problem quickly manifests itself by yellowing leaflets and fronds. Scale, mealybugs, and spider mites occur frequently in indoor conditions. If not killed early on, these small pests proliferate and move all along frond parts into nooks and crannies. The piercing mouths of the insects exhaust your plant and accelerate yellowing, especially if your Dracaena is already unhealthy from poor lighting, a nutrient deficiency or improper soil moisture.
Some yellowing and browning is natural
Is there new growth on your Dracaena? If there is new growth on your plant and the yellowing and browning leaves are older, particularly at the bottom of the plant, this yellowing is natural. Your plant sheds its old leaves and sends energy to new growth.
Moisture
The most common cause of yellowing leaves among Dracaena plants is improper soil moisture–in particular, overwatering. Your Dracaena likes to be kept damp (but not wet or saturated!), so keeping a regular watering schedule is key.
When you water your Dracaena, make sure you provide enough water so that liquid flows from the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and into the saucer. It’s extremely important to discard any excess water in the saucer and not to let your plant sit in any standing water. Your plant doesn’t like “wet feet,” which will cause the roots to rot and lead to the eventual death of the plant. Yellow and browning leaves are the first sign that root rot may be occurring.
Providing proper and consistent soil moisture is important in caring for a Dracaena plant. Alternating between bone dry and wet soil from ill-timed waterings can create stress and cause your plant to yellow. This is not a drought-tolerant plant.
Water Quality
The quality of your water could also be causing your Dracaena’s leaves to yellow. Dracaena plants are sensitive to the chemicals found in most tap water. Use filtered water or allow your tap water to sit out uncovered overnight before watering so chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride can evaporate.
Your humidity level
Low humidity and dry soil cause leaves to droop and brown on their edges, later followed by entire yellowing, browning, and shriveling. Your Dracaena will appreciate a boost in humidity from regular misting, a humidifier, or pebble tray.
Pests
A weakened or stressed Dracaena is more susceptible to insect infestations. Sap-sucking bugs like spider mites can drain your plant of moisture. This problem quickly manifests itself by yellowing leaflets and fronds. Scale, mealybugs, and spider mites occur frequently in indoor conditions. If not killed early on, these small pests proliferate and move all along frond parts into nooks and crannies. The piercing mouths of the insects exhaust your plant and accelerate yellowing, especially if your Dracaena is already unhealthy from poor lighting, a nutrient deficiency or improper soil moisture. Learn how to treat common houseplant pests here.
Some yellowing is natural
Is your Dracaena producing new growth? If there is new growth on your plant and the yellowing leaves are older, particularly at the bottom of the plant, this yellowing is natural. Your plant sheds its old leaves and sends energy to new growth.