About Will Creed Expertise I have professional knowledge of all indoor plants and can answer questions
regarding light, water, fertilizer, repotting, and humidity and temperature
requirements. I can identify plant pests and provide information on safe,
effective treatment. Answers are based on 26 years of professional, hands-on
experience and scientific research and are clear and easy to understand.
Experience I have over 25 years of professional indoor landscaping experience caring for plants in homes, offices, building lobbies, stores, restaurants, and other adverse environments. I have written extensively on the care of indoor plants. My specialties include Ficus trees, low light plants, repotting, pest control, and re-blooming holiday plants. I am writing a book on indoor plant care.
Be sure to check my ratings and nominations to learn why I am the top-rated indoor plant expert.
Question Hey Will. Must be a corn plant. How do I make him happy?
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Will - I inhereted a plant w/ my apartment. Its not doing
so well, so I first need to figure what kind it is, and then
how to care for it.
Its got three 2 inch thick trunks that grow straight up. Each
trunk looks like it was sawed off flat at the top. A few large
leaves (with straight edges that come to a point) sprout out
from the tops of the trunks - although now only one of the
short trunks has any leaves left. Its in a 12" pot and lives
under a S facing window.
Is that enough info? Thanks, Meesh
Answer -
Hi Meesh,
There are only two commonly grown houseplants that fit your decription - corn plant and
Yucca.
The corn plant (Dracaena massangeana cane) has softer leaves that arch. The Yucca
elephantipes cane has very stiff leaves with sharp edges and a sharp point.
Let me know which you have and I will give you proper care instructions.
Regards,
Will Creed
Answer Hi Meesh,
Your inherited corn plant has lost leaves on two of the three canes most likley because of improper watering. It may have been neglected and kept too dry or it could have been kept too moist and the roots have rotted.
If all of the leaves are gone from the two canes and there is no sign of any new growth on them, then they are dead. If so, they can be removed by grabbing the canes (one at a time) and twisting them around in place until they pull loose from the soil. Fill in the holes with the surrounding soil.
The fate of the remaining cane is undetermined at this point. Whatever damaged the roots of the other two canes (over or under watering) may have also damaged the remaining cane, as well. Squeeze the base of this cane. If the bark feels loose and papery, then it is history. If not, it may still be salvageable.
Corn plants prefer lots of bright indirect light with some protecetion from direct sunlight. Allow the top third of the soil to dry out before watering thoroughly. Make sure that there are drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Do not repot or fertilze your corn plant at this time.
Assuming there are still some healthy roots remaining, all you can do is provide good light, water it properly, and be very patient. It took many months of neglect for your plant to get to this condition; it will take as long or longer for it to recover.
Good luck and please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
You can E-mail me directly at: wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com
If this information has been helpful, please remember to give me an AllExperts rating and nomination.
