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ken_yong28

Dracaena (corn plant) leaves edge brown spots

10 years ago

My corn plant has been pretty healthy for the past six months and then today suddenly I saw two brown spots on one leaf (incidentally this leaf doesn't look as healthy) and darker brown spot on another. The two leaves are relatively new leaves. Please kindly let me know what's going on! I inspected the plant and there are no insects or mites. All other leaves are fine. These two leaves are on the same stalk.

Do I need to cut off the brown spots? What should I do? Please help! If more pics are needed let me know.

Comments (16)

  • 10 years ago

    I noticed the brown spots this morning so I am not sure how long they have been there. I use tap water (soft, that has been left out for 2 days to evaporate chemicals) for years and never really notice these brown spots. In addition, I changed my soil about six months ago. Also, I never fertilize the plant.

    Should I unpot it and check the roots?

  • 10 years ago

    Chemical toxicity can build-up over time. Softener salts, lime, and fluoride can't evaporate from leaving water to sit, and most municipalities now use a form of chlorination that doesn't evaporate, so that's a lot of stuff coming from the water. That could be a factor.

    Did you use a soil with moisture control crystals? Did you remove the old soil, or just put more in a bigger pot? Does the pot have a hole in the bottom? Exposed to cold temps?

    ken_yong28 thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    No moisture control crystals. I removed the old soil and repotted about six months ago. Yes, the pot has holes at the bottom. It has been indoor always, never exposed to outside coldness. What should I do?

    Found another leaf on the same stalk having problem:

  • 10 years ago

    Are you able to add a pic or two of your whole plant?

    The info here might help you gauge what's going on under the soil surface:

    http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/2842847/container-soils-water-movement-and-retention?n=8

    ken_yong28 thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Here is the pic of the whole plant. Also, corrected info: The three leaves are on the same shoot, not "stalk" (i.e. trunk, sorry I didn't know how to describe it). Leaves on another shoot on the same stalk/trunk are perfectly fine.

  • 10 years ago

    Ken, imo, you're giving your Dracaena the best care.

    Rotate the plant.

    Are the brown spots soft or hard?

    Since the spots are on one stalk, it may be defective. I've seen the healthiest Dracaena's that had one marked/defective trunk/stalk.

    See if spots widen. If you want to rid the brown spots, leave a tiny portion, about 1/8", of brown on...

    ken_yong28 thanked birdsnblooms
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    The brown spots are papery like semi-dried leaves. Not sure if it's soft or hard. But if I must, I would say it's soft rather than hard. I hope I can find out the reason to prevent the problem from spreading (if indeed there is a problem).

    Also I tested the ph of the soil. It's 7.

  • 10 years ago

    Ken, although spots are brown, are they semi-translucent? Like weaved cloth? lol

    As you stated, 'IF' there is a problem, it could be a bacterial. There's too many types...to be honest, I'm unfamiliar with them.

    Some of my plants, 'mostly Dracaenas' get similar spots. I usually remove the leaf, or if on the edge, trim.

    My Dracaena, 'Song of India,' is outdoors. Last week, temperatures dipped in the 30's. I noticed several brown spots yesterday.

    Whatever, I hope your plant pulls through. As I stated earlier, other than the few spots, your Corn Plants looks terrific. Healthy foliage. Good luck.

    ken_yong28 thanked birdsnblooms
  • 10 years ago

    Now that you mentioned weaved cloth, I checked the spots again and they are not semi translucent. Totally opaque. Any clues?

  • 10 years ago

    I wouldn't worry about a plant that looks as good as yours, and from what you described about its' care. It's rare to see one of these with every leaf perfect.

    ken_yong28 thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
  • 10 years ago

    Soft and opaque. No, I don't. lol

    Ken, please check your plant daily. If it spreads, most likely it's a bacterial problem.

    When you have time, please Google, Fusarium leaf spot disease.

    ken_yong28 thanked birdsnblooms
  • 10 years ago

    It could be sun damage. Maybe those leaves are getting hit with some direct sun in the afternoon. Your plant is beautiful and looks very healthy. I wouldn't worry about it.

    Hi Birdsnblooms! Did you get my message?

    Jane

    ken_yong28 thanked jane__ny
  • 10 years ago

    Just try to update what I found out so the info might be helpful to others:

    Found another post here titled "Brown Leaf Spots on Dracaena": That 'cellular' criss-cross line effect is a sure sign of cold damage. I compared mine to the pics in that post and then I realized this past chilling weekend (in the upper 30s) we opened the windows for about 2-3 hours and the plant was next to the windows. Looks like frostbite to me now. I didn't know the plant would be this sensitive to coldness!!! Hopefully only three leaves are affected.

    But thank you everyone here who helped me!


  • 10 years ago

    Ken, better a little frosted than diseased.

    That's good!

    BTW, I still have a Dracaena outside...That guy is coming in today...

    ken_yong28 thanked birdsnblooms
  • 4 years ago


    Any help please? Ive had it for about 5 months. Not sure why this is happening. Should i repot? Its in the same container. Tge top soil is really dry. But i just watered it 2 times in the last week. I dont want to over