Hi,
I am responsible for caring/maintaining these plants pictured (attached). I noticed watering alone has not been helpful and the ends of the plants leaves are brown and dry. Do I perhaps need fertilizer? If you could help, that would be great. If any additional information is required, I’m more than happy to help.
Hello,
It is somewhat difficult to identify your plant because the picture is a bit blurry, but I think it is a Dracaena deremensis, and the variety is ‘Warneckei’, which has striped white and green or cream and yellow leaves.
These are considered very easy plants to grow and take care of. They do not like direct sunlight, and prefer indirect, bright or filtered light. When they are in active growth during the spring and summer, they require regular watering. some humidity and some fertilizer. However, they go dormant during the fall and winter. At this time, one should cut back on water and allow the plant to thoroughly dry out before watering again. Even when watered, they should be kept on the dryish side – especially keep the top two inches of soil dry. The best way to make sure they don’t get overwatered is to pot them in a light potting mix and ensure that the pot they are in has drainage holes in the bottom – this pot should then be placed in a container of water so it can soak up the moisture (if it is a large plant it can be put in a sink or bathtub).
It is normal for the plant to have some brown or yellow leaves at the base. However, yellowing foliage at the top is usually a sign of overwatering.
Based on the picture you’ve submitted, it appears that the plant is getting too much water. I would remove all the dead or dying leaves and let the plant dry out completely. Then water sparingly for the rest of the fall and winter as noted above. Check that the plant is not sitting continuously in water that collects in the outer container as this can drown them.
I’ve included a link below which you might find helpful and also a picture of Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckei’. If you think, based on the picture below that the plants you are caring for are not Dracaena, please try using a free plant identification app on your phone (such as PlantSnap or Google Picture) and if you still can’t identify it, you can resubmit your question with a better picture. Please consult our website for instructions on how to submit a proper picture for plant identification.
Good luck; I hope the plant recovers well.
How to Care for Dracaena: Types & Growing Tips (thespruce.com)
