Plant Symptoms:
– Brown, dry spots on some of the leaves
– Leaf tips turning brown
– Small brown spots trimmed in yellow
Potential Cause 1: Inconsistent Watering
If you notice brown tips and spots on your dracaena, the problem is probably due to inconsistent watering. If the soil dries out too much, the tips of the leaves will present with brown tips and spots.
How to fix it:
A good system for determining when to water is to scratch into the soil about 1 inch down. If it’s dry, then it’s time to water. Check your plants about every 7 to 10 days and remember that our homes are often hot and dry in the winter, so plants may need to be watered more often.
Potential Cause 2: Water Sensitivity
If you notice brown spots on the tips and edges of leaves, this could be a sign of chlorine and/or fluoride in the tap water or, a build-up of salts within the soil.
How to fix it:
Fill a container with your tap water and allow it to sit uncovered for at least 24 hours so that the chlorine and fluoride can evaporate. Another option is to use rainwater or distilled water instead.
Also, if you notice an accumulation of white deposits on the outside of the pot (especially near the drainage holes), this is a sign of excess salts. Use rainwater or distilled water to flush out excess salt.
Potential Cause 3: Leaf Spot Disease
If you see small brown spots trimmed in yellow, your plant might have a Leaf Spot Disease. The attacking fungus or bacteria leaves small brown spots trimmed in yellow where it’s feeding on the leaves. These spots may vary in shape, color, and size.
How to fix it:
Immediately remove the affected leaves and isolate your Dracaena from your other plants for the time being. To treat Leaf Spot Disease, try this homemade remedy of putting a tablespoon or two of baking soda and a teaspoon or two of mineral oil in a spray bottle of water. Shake the solution well and then spray all areas of the plant that are infected with brown spots.
PS Care Note:
I suggest always removing the damaged area of a leaf or the complete leaf if entirely brown. Removal of the dead leaf or damaged areas helps the plant recover and look its best. You will need very sharp scissors or pruning shears.
Instructions for proper removal of damaged or dead leaves:
1. Trim off brown leaf tips or spots with clean shears. Cut off only the damaged tips or spots leaving a tiny margin of brown so not to damage the remaining healthy foliage on the plant.
2. If the entire leaf has turned brown, remove individual leaves at their base. Pull the leaf gently; it may come off on its own. If the leaf doesn’t separate with gentle pulling, snip through the stem with clean shears.
