People bring Dracaena plants into their homes because of their low-maintenance care and unique appearance. But what should you do when your easy-to-care-for-plant demands your attention? What’s the solution when your Dracaena’s classic upright habit and dramatic foliage start to droop or wilt?
Likely, the cause of a leaning Dracaena is a watering issue. Sometimes underwatering causes these plants to droop, but more often overwatering is the culprit. Other potential causes include drainage issues with the pot or soil, temperature extremes, pests, or inadequate exposure to sunlight.
It can be disconcerting when you notice that your Dragon Tree is exhibiting signs of stress, but the good news is that most Dracaena species are pretty hardy plants and will rebound quickly once the issue is addressed. This article will cover the most likely reasons your Dragon Tree is drooping, wilting, or leaning and steps you can take to help your houseplant recover quickly.
What to Expect from a Healthy Dracaena
Although there are many different species of Dracaena, you’re most likely to have one of the common houseplant varieties that are usual staples of nurseries or plant shops. While each variety looks a bit different, healthy Dragon Trees all have some common traits.
Healthy Dracaenas tend to have fairly rigid stems that hold upright in their pots. The sword shaped foliage at the stem tips shoot out towards the sky and gently lean at the ends. Although it’s common for Dragon Trees to have stems with dried leaf tips, these are usually few and only present on leaves that might be older.
Although fairly hearty plants, Dracaenas are very slow growers, often taking years to achieve indoor heights of around six feet tall. Depending on the variety, you should only expect an inch to a few inches of growth per season, at most.
That being said, growth rate isn’t often a reliable indicator of health, but you should also note when your plant has stopped growing completely, as it could be a sign of an underlying health issue.
If you notice that your plant is losing some of its vibrancy (leaves begin to droop or dry out, stems begin to weaken or lean), take that as a sign that something has changed for your Dracaena and it is struggling to adapt.
Reasons Why a Dracaena Might Be Drooping or Wilting
If your Dragon Tree is starting to droop or wilt, it is often a sign that the plant is dealing with some less-than-ideal environmental or care factor.
I should note that drooping and wilting are pretty much the same thing. Typically, in Dracaenas, when it is described as wilting, the leaves that are usually upright and skyward start to wilt and point downwards. Drooping tends to refer more to the entire plant, with leaves wilting but also stems starting to weaken and lean (or droop) from the tops.
These terms are often used interchangeably to research the same issue, so I want to make sure I point out that I am addressing both issues together, as they are often caused by the same factors. I’ll talk more about “leaning” in a bit, as there are some key differences to point out.
So, what might be causing your Dragon Tree to droop or wilt?
Reason #1: Watering Issues
As with most plant care issues, drooping or wilting can often be attributed to poor water management. Like your other houseplants, Dracaenas have specific water needs and when those needs aren’t properly met, it can stress your plant which results in the wilted, droopy look.
Overwatering is, by far, the most common culprit. What happens when you give your Dragon Tree too much water is that the soil never has time to properly drain and dry out. The extra moisture that is present actually disrupts the oxygen and gas exchange in the root system and essentially strangles healthy root structures, reducing their ability to absorb water and nutrients.
This can cause all sorts of issues, but the most concerning is root rot. As the root system begins to succumb to rot, the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and moisture is severely hindered and begins to shut down.
Because of this, you’ll start to see your Dracaena’s leaves begin to wilt as the plant loses internal water pressure. As it gets more severe, you may witness other telltale signs of overwatering, like yellowing leaves, and eventually, you will see the stems themselves start to lose rigidity and begin to droop.
Underwatering can also cause similar symptoms. It may be that you have been ignoring your Dragon Tree a bit too much resulting in the soil drying up. Because the plant doesn’t have a reliable source of moisture, the leaves can begin to wilt and you’ll often see the leaf tips beginning to brown and curl. In severe cases of underwatering, the stems may begin to droop as a severe sign of dehydration and the soil starts to pull away from the edges of the pot.
Both overwatering and underwatering can be serious risks to your Dragon Tree so it is important to understand how to properly water.
How to Fix Watering Issues
Dracaena species tend to thrive in consistently damp soil. This means that there is a fine line between over and under watering that you are constantly striving for. It sounds tricky, but there’s actually an easy way to keep your Dragon Tree properly watered and happy.
Each time you water your plant, do so thoroughly and deeply, allowing excess water to drain from the bottom of the pot. Once the plant has drained, empty the saucer or dish the plant sits in. Over the next couple weeks, periodically check the soil by pressing your finger into the dirt to see if it is dry. Once the first inch or two of topsoil is dry to the touch, you can safely water your Dragon Tree again.
This process works well because even though you are letting the top of the pot dry out, there is still plenty of moisture down below where the roots are. This allows the plant to absorb what it needs without being waterlogged and in danger of rotting. It also keeps the plant from ever getting into a situation where it is too dried out.
Avoid watering on a set schedule, since the needs of your Dracaena will change throughout the seasons. In the height of the growing season, and depending on the conditions your plant experiences, you may need to water every few days to a week. However, as the seasons change and the plant goes dormant, you may only need to water every couple of weeks.
By testing the soil for moisture, you avoid all the guesswork so you have the confidence to know when your Dragon Tree is thirsty. If you’d prefer not to poke your fingers down into the soil every few days, use a moisture meter to indicate when your soil is on the dry side before adding more water.
Reason #2: Soil and Pot Issues
The second reason Dracaena plants often get droopy is actually related to overwatering, as well. Oftentimes, people will realize too late that the soil or container that their Dragon Tree is planted in is contributing to the retention of too much moisture around the plant.
If the soil your Dracaena is planted in is too dense, it can actually retain more water than is necessary for the plant. Typically, a standard potting soil is porous enough for most houseplants, but sometimes the mixture gets too dense or compacted over time, creating a substrate that is no longer ideal for growth.
When watered, the soil soaks up too much moisture and has the same effect on the roots as overwatering does. Gas exchange and absorption is hindered and the plant suffers.
Similarly, the container your Dragon Tree is potted in can also be causing issues. If the pot has poor drainage, or no drainage hole at all, it becomes hard to determine how much to water since there is no overflow relief, so to speak. Also, the size of the pot can be an issue. If the container is too large, more soil is required to fill it up and support the plant. Often, the excess soil can retain too much moisture, resulting in the same symptoms as overwatering.
By contrast, if the pot is too small, the Dracaena has most likely outgrown the pot and become root bound. If you see roots coming out of the drainage hole or they are wrapping around the interior edges of the pot, it can result in a strangled plant. The roots are so tightly bound and wrapped up with one another that absorption is greatly reduced, so the plant isn’t getting what nutrients it needs from the soil.
How to Fix Soil and Pot Issues
If you suspect your soil is too compacted or dense, the best thing you can do for your plant is to replant it with new potting soil. Like I mentioned, most pre-mixed potting soils are sufficient for Dracaena species, but if you want to ensure good drainage and a light, airy substrate, add some pumice or perlite to the mixture.
Typically, one part of pumice/perlite added to 3-4 parts of potting soil is more than enough to keep the mixture light.
This is also a perfect time to evaluate the container you keep your Dragon Tree in. If you are going to transplant it, pick a pot that gives the root ball some room to expand. Typically, having one to two inches of space between the root ball and the sides of the pot is the perfect size. Any bigger and you run the risk of retaining too much moisture in the soil. Any smaller and you’ll have to repot again too soon.
Also, make sure your new container has a drainage hole (or several) in the bottom. I can’t stress enough how important this is. A drainage hole allows you to water your plants deeply without fear of waterlogging the soil and roots.
Reason #3: Temperature Fluctuations
I would argue that 9 times out of 10, Dragon Tree wilting or drooping is caused by watering issues, or factors that contribute to it, like bad soil or pots. However, there are a few other reasons why you might see your Dracaena wilting or drooping from time to time.
Dracaenas are pretty robust houseplants that can tolerate a lot of different indoor conditions. While they do well in temperatures we commonly find inside the home (60°-70°F), quick transitions or fluctuations in temperature can cause the plant stress.
In cases of extreme heat, either caused by a spike in temperature or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, the plant can lose more water through transpiration than it can absorb from the roots. This will cause the leaves to wilt.
On the other hand, if a plant is exposed to sudden drops in temperature or severe cold drafts, cells in the leaves can get damaged, causing the plant structures to lose their rigidity and result in a droopy or wilted appearance. This can indicate a serious issue and the plant may be damaged beyond repair.
How to Fix Issues with Temperature Fluctuations
If you suspect your Dragon Tree is wilting due to temperature extremes, you should act quickly to avoid any long-term damage to the plant.
In the case of heat exposure, the likely cause of wilt or droop is due to dehydration, so you should remove your plant from the heat source and give it a thorough watering. Watch it carefully to ensure it is recovering, usually within a matter of hours.
If your home drops below 50°F and you see your plant drooping, first make sure you find a spot for it that is protected from the extreme cold. You want to make sure there are no drafts or prolonged drops in temperature that can cause lasting damage to your Dragon Tree. If you catch it fast enough, your Dracaena should recover over the course of a few hours to a couple days.
Moving forward, make sure your Dragon Tree has a spot in your home that gives it consistent light, but doesn’t expose the plant to extreme temperatures. This means being mindful about where your heat or AC vents are and perhaps pulling the plant away from a window to save it from harsh, direct sunlight.
Reason #4: Pests
A less common reason your Dragon Tree might droop or look wilted is because of a pest infestation. Dracaenas are generally pretty low-maintenance plants, so the likelihood of pests causing such an extreme symptom such as wilt or droop is low.
However, bad infestations can happen. Mealy bugs and aphids feed on moisture from the leaves and can wreak havoc on the health of your plant. Over time, damaged leaves can take on a wilted appearance. Fungus gnat larvae can be present in the soil and do extensive damage to root systems, which as we now know, can cause the plant to droop.
How to Fix Issues with Pests
Depending on what pests might be present on your Dracaena, there are plenty of treatment options to help your plant recover from an infestation. These range from synthetic pesticides to natural remedies.
A favorite treatment of mine for fungus gnats is to water with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Mix 1 part peroxide with 4 parts water and then apply to the plant when the top two inches of soil is dry. The hydrogen peroxide kills off any gnats and larvae as it reacts in the topsoil, but is harmless to the plant’s root structure.
Another tip is to really dial in your watering techniques. By only watering when necessary and doing it properly, you will avoid creating an environment that many pests prefer so it is less likely they will proliferate.
Reasons Why a Dracaena Might Be Leaning
Now that you understand what might cause your Dragon Tree to look wilted or droopy, let’s talk about leaning.
In actuality, leaning can be caused by all of the same issues that produce wilting or drooping. In fact, a Dracaena can look perfectly normal, with upright stems and leaves, but be suffering from issues caused by improper watering, inadequate soil or containers, or environmental factors, and the only sign it is under stress is that it begins to lean.
However, in the grand scheme of things, this is rare. More often than not, your plant will exhibit drooping or wilting long before substantial leaning caused from the same issues will show.
Rather, what I think most people are looking for when searching “why is my Dracaena is leaning” is information about why their Dragon Tree is getting leggy and beginning to fall over.
If you have a mature Dragon Tree that has some height, you may have noticed that its stems are susceptible to leaning. Many Dracaena species are actually pretty prone to leaning because they are sensitive to light levels and tend to bend in order to seek out more sunlight. In fact, lots of people like to use this to manipulate the plants to have braided or spiraled trunks for a more interesting look.
So, what are some of the reasons Dracaena plants lean?
Reason #1: Low Light Levels
By and large the most common reason Dragon Trees appear to lean is because they are experiencing less-than-adequate light levels. Like many other plants, when Dracaenas are placed in a spot where they aren’t getting enough light, the plant does its best to search for more sunlight so it can continue to carry out photosynthesis and other important functions.
To do this, the plant puts out weak, leggy growth in an attempt to stretch towards new light sources. Because leggy growth tends to be more ragged and flimsier, the result is a stem that begins to lean to one side.
How to Fix Light Issues
Give your Dragon Tree what it wants…lots of indirect, bright light. Dracaena plants are known to tolerate a wide range of light levels, but in order to avoid the dreaded lean, your best bet is to supply it with as much light as you can give it.
Pick a spot that has a lot of light coming in from south- or east-facing windows. Your Dracaena wants to be near the light source but not in direct sunlight, where it can get burned. The more indirect, bright light you expose your plant to, the less likely it is to lean to one side.
If you find that your plant is still leaning towards a window, but you can’t move it any closer, you may have luck rotating the pot every week or two. By turning the pot a quarter turn each week, you’ll ensure each side of your Dragon Tree is exposed to a good light source and you’ll avoid a hard lean to one side.
Reason #2: Overgrown Stems
Another reason for leaning, especially on mature plants, is overgrown stems. Dracaena plants don’t often branch on their own without pruning so, when left to their own devices, they often end up with one or two tall stems that, over time, start to get pretty heavy.
Holding up all that weight can be tough on the plant if the stem isn’t thick enough to support it, so over time, these stems start to lean.
How to Fix Overgrown/Heavy Stems
This is where strategic pruning comes in really handy. Yes, Dracaenas are slow growers, so the idea of having to prune back a healthy stem can produce some anxiety, but in the long run, you’ll have a happier plant.
If your Dragon Tree has one or two overgrown stems that can’t seem to hold up the weight, consider pruning them back to a more manageable size. Making a 45° cut anywhere along the stem will take the weight burden off and help it grow straighter. Over time, new stems will sprout from the cut. The pruned stem tip can be rooted out in water and transplanted into a new pot to create new Dracaena plants.
If you don’t like the idea of pruning back your Dracaena, you can use stakes to support a heavy stem. Pick a stake that is thick enough to keep your stems straight and be sure to bind the stem with wire so that it is secure, but not so tight that it will dig into plant tissue. Also, be aware that if you use stakes, your Dragon Tree will probably rely on them forever.
Putting It All Together
Although there are potentially many reasons why your Dragon Tree might show wilting leaves or drooping stems, you should immediately scrutinize your watering habits. In almost every instance, a droopy appearance can be chalked up to overwatering or some similar factor like poor drainage.
In most cases, a simple tweaking of your watering habits does the trick. Otherwise, repotting the plant with new soil and a proper container will do wonders.
On the other hand, if you’ve got a leaning Dracaena, be sure to monitor its light exposure. Remember: lots of bright, indirect light is the secret to strong, straight, upright stems.