Dracaena plants are popular houseplants because they are easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.
However, even the hardiest dracaena plants can experience problems from time to time, including drooping leaves.
If you notice that your dracaena plant’s leaves are drooping, it is essential to take action quickly to determine the cause and address the problem.
This article will discuss seven common causes of drooping dracaena leaves and provide solutions for each.
Why Are My Dracaena Leaves Drooping and How Can You Fix It?
There are several reasons why your dracaena leaves might be drooping.
In most cases, drooping leaves are caused by environmental stressors such as too much or too little water, not enough light, or excessive heat.
However, there are other potential causes, including pests and transplant shock.
Read on to learn more about these potential causes and what you can do to fix the problem.
1. Underwatering
One of the most common reasons for drooping dracaena leaves is underwatering.
Dracaena plants are native to tropical regions and prefer moist, well-drained soils.
If the soil around your dracaena plant is too dry, the leaves will start to droop as the plant begins to wilt.
Dracaena should be watered about once a week or when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch.
How To Tell If Your Dracaena Plant Is Underwatered
In addition to drooping leaves, other signs of an underwatered dracaena plant include:
- Leaves that are drooping or wilting
- Soil that is dry to the touch
- Yellowing leaves
- Leaves that are starting to brown and curl at the edges
- Leaves are brittle and easily broken
How To Fix An Underwatered Dracaena Plant
If your dracaena plant is underwatered, the best thing to do is to give it a good watering.
Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
Once the plant has been watered, check the soil regularly and water it when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch.
2. Overwatering
While underwatering is a common cause of drooping dracaena leaves, overwatering can also be a problem.
Dracaena plants are sensitive to overwatering and can quickly become waterlogged.
If the soil around your dracaena plant is too wet, the roots will start to rot, and the leaves will droop.
How To Tell If Your Dracaena Plant Is Overwatered
In addition to drooping leaves, other signs of an overwatered dracaena plant include:
- Leaves that are yellow or brown
- Wilting Leaves
- Soil that is soggy or mushy
- Mold or mildew growth on the soil surface
- A foul odor coming from the pot
- Root rot
How To Fix An Overwatered Dracaena Plant
If your plant is overwatered, the best thing to do is to let the soil dry out completely.
Stop watering the plant and allow the top inch of soil to become dry to the touch before watering it again.
If your plant’s roots are waterlogged, you may need to repot it in fresh soil.
Check the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot to make sure they are not blocked.
If the holes are blocked, water will not be able to drain correctly, and the roots will start to rot.
3. Not Enough Light
Dracaena plants need bright indirect light to thrive.
If your dracaena plant is not getting enough light, the leaves will start to droop.
Light requirements can vary depending on the type of dracaena plant you have.
For example, Dracaena marginata (dragon tree) needs bright light, while Dracaena fragrans (corn plant) can tolerate low light.
How To Tell If Your Dracaena Plant Is Not Getting Enough Light
In addition to drooping leaves, other signs of a dracaena plant that is not getting enough light include:
- Leaves that are pale or yellow
- Leaves that are smaller than normal
- Slow growth
- Stretching towards the light
How To Fix A Dracaena Plant That Is Not Getting Enough Light
The best way to fix a dracaena plant not getting enough light is to move it to a brighter location.
Dracaena need at least 4 hours of indirect sunlight each day.
If possible, place the plant near a south- or west-facing window. This will give it the bright indirect light it needs to thrive.
If you cannot move the plant to a brighter location, you may need to supplement the natural light with artificial lighting.
4. Low Humidity
Dracaena plants thrive in high humidity environments.
They thrive in rooms with an average humidity level of 60-70%.
If the air around your dracaena plant is too dry, the leaves will start to lose moisture and droop.
How To Tell If The Air Around Your Dracaena Plant Is Too Dry
In addition to drooping leaves, other signs of a dracaena plant that is not getting enough humidity include:
- Leaves that are dry
- Leaves with brown tips
- Wilting Leaves
- Flower buds that fall off before blooming
- Slow growth
How To Fix A Dracaena Plant That Is Not Getting Enough Humidity
There are several ways you can increase the humidity around your dracaena plant:
- Place the plant on a pebble tray: Fill a shallow dish with gravel and water. Place the dracaena plant on top of the gravel. The evaporating water will increase the humidity around the plant.
- Use a humidifier: Running a humidifier in the room where your dracaena plant is located will help to increase the humidity.
- Mist the leaves: Use a spray bottle to mist the leaves of your dracaena plant with water. Do this once or twice a day.
5. Pests
Dracaena plants are susceptible to several types of pests, including spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects.
Spider mites are tiny spider-like creatures that suck the sap out of the plant’s leaves.
Mealybugs are small, white insects that feed on the plant’s sap.
Scale insects are small, brown insects that attach themselves to the leaves and stems of the plant.
These pests can cause the leaves of the dracaena plant to droop.
How To Tell If Your Dracaena Plant Has Pests
In addition to drooping leaves, other signs of a dracaena plant that has pests include:
- Leaves that are discolored
- Leaves turning black
- Leaves that are wilted or curled
- Sticky sap on the leaves or stems
- Webbing on the leaves or stems
How To Treat A Dracaena Plant That Has Pests
If you think your dracaena plant has pests, there are several things you can do to get rid of them:
- Remove the pests by hand: Use a cotton swab, or cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove the pests from the leaves and stems of the plant.
- Spray the plant with insecticidal soap: Mix 1 tablespoon of insecticidal soap with 1 quart of water. Spray the solution on the leaves and stems of the plant.
- Treat with neem oil: Neem oil is a natural pesticide that can be used to treat dracaena plants with pests. Mix 1 tablespoon of neem oil with 1 quart of water. Spray the solution on the leaves and stems of the plant.
6. Temperature Stress
Dracaena plants are tropical plants that prefer warm temperatures.
They thrive in environments with an average temperature of 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the temperature around your dracaena plant drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the leaves of the plant will start to droop.
How To Tell If The Temperature Around Your Dracaena Plant Is Too Cold
In addition to drooping leaves, other signs of a dracaena plant that is experiencing temperature stress include:
- Leaves that are wilted or curled
- Leaves that are dry or brown
- Leaves turning yellow
- Slow growth
How To Fix A Dracaena Plant That Is Experiencing Temperature Stress
If the temperature around your dracaena plant is too cold, there are several things you can do to fix the problem:
- Move the plant to a warmer location: If possible, move the plant to a room with an average temperature of 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Use a space heater: Place a space heater near the plant to increase the temperature.
- Cover the plant with a blanket: Use a light blanket or sheet to cover the plant. This will help to trap heat and create a microclimate around the plant.
7. Transplant Shock
Dracaena plants can experience transplant shock when they are moved to a new pot or location.
This is because the plant’s roots are disturbed and cannot take up water and nutrients from the soil.
Transplant shock can cause the leaves of the dracaena plant to droop.
How To Tell If Your Dracaena Plant Is Experiencing Transplant Shock
In addition to drooping leaves, other signs of a dracaena plant that is experiencing transplant shock include:
- Leaves that are wilted or curled
- Leaves that are dry or brown
- Slow growth
- Stunted growth
How To Help A Dracaena Plant Recover From Transplant Shock
If your dracaena plant is experiencing transplant shock, there are several things you can do to help it recover:
- Water the plant: Water the plant more frequently than usual to help it recover from transplant shock.
- Provide the plant with humidity: Increase the humidity around the plant by misting it with water or using a humidifier.
- Give the plant time: Transplant shock can be stressful for a dracaena plant, so it is essential to give the plant time to recover.
How To Prevent Dracaena Leaves From Drooping
Droopy leaves on your dracaena plant are a common problem. But don’t worry, you can do a few things to prevent them!
Here are 7 tips to keep your dracaena’s leaves perky:
1. Check the Soil Moisture Level
The first step is to check the soil moisture level.
If the soil is too dry, the leaves will start to droop.
Stick your finger in the soil to see if it’s dry or not. If it feels dry, water your plant immediately.
2. Avoid Overwatering
Overwatering is one of the most common causes of droopy leaves.
So, check the soil moisture level before watering your plant.
If the soil is already moist, don’t water it again.
3. Provide Adequate Drainage
Another possible cause of droopy leaves is poor drainage.
If the water can’t drain properly, it will sit in the soil and make the roots waterlogged.
This can lead to root rot and, eventually, droopy leaves.
Make sure your plant is in a well-draining pot with holes in the bottom.
4. Don’t Let the Plant Sit in Water
After watering, be sure to empty any water that’s collected in the saucer beneath the pot.
Don’t let your plant sit in water for too long, as this can lead to root rot and droopy leaves.
5. Place the Plant in a Bright Spot
Dracaena plants need bright indirect light to thrive.
If the plant is in a too-dark spot, the leaves will start to droop.
Move it to a brighter spot and see if that helps.
But be careful not to place it in direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves.
6. Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes
Dracaena plants don’t like sudden temperature changes.
So, if you’ve been keeping your plant outdoors and the temperature starts to drop, bring it inside.
Otherwise, the leaves may start to droop.
7. Prune off Any Dead or Dying Leaves
If your plant has dead or dying leaves, it’s best to prune them.
This will help encourage new growth and prevent the spread of disease.
Final Thoughts
Dracaena plants are known for being tough, resilient, and easy to care for.
So when you see your dracaena leaves drooping, it can be alarming.
But don’t worry. In most cases, it’s an easy problem to fix.
Just be sure to check the soil moisture level, provide adequate drainage, and place the plant in a bright spot.
If you do these things, your dracaena plant should be back to normal in no time!
