What is it?
Yellow and necrotic spots on the lower leaves of the red dracaena usually indicate environmental stress, commonly related to overwatering or inadequate ventilation. Cordyline is sensitive to waterlogging, which causes mild root suffocation that first manifests in older leaves. An environment with high humidity and poor air circulation promotes the progression of these spots if watering habits are not corrected.
Treatment plan
Immediate
Mechanical sanitation
Cut off basal leaves showing yellow spots or that are dry to prevent potential pathogens from spreading.
Immediate
Drainage check
Ensure water flows freely through the pot's drainage holes and that no water is retained in a saucer.
1-3 days
Watering optimization
Cease watering until the top 3 cm of soil are completely dry to the touch.
1 week
Preventative fungicide application
If spots appear on new leaves, apply a copper-based fungicide following the manufacturer's instructions.
Prevention
Environmental monitoring
If the plant is in a corner with little wind, move it to a location with better air circulation.
Care during recovery
- Watering
- Moderate, let the soil surface dry out between waterings (every 7-10 days).
- Light
- Full sun or very bright partial shade to maintain intense reddish color.
- Temperature
- Ideal between 15-25°C. Tolerates light frost down to -5°C.
- Soil
- All-purpose potting mix with good drainage, mixed with 20% perlite.
- Fertilizer
- Fertilizer for green plants every 20 days during spring and summer.
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