Hello- I inherited a tall Dracaena Corn Plant in January 2021 and recently have noticed yellow spots developing on the leaves along with dry, brown edges. I am being very careful about not overwatering and only watering if the soil is dry 1-2" deep. I am using distilled water but only realized to use distilled water in the last 3 months. Can anyone tell me why it has yellow spots? It is near a window with no direct sun and I mist it regularly. I repotted it last summer because the pot I got it in was only 8" across and the canes were leaning pretty heavily. The pot it is currently in is plastic and is 14" across and is the "self watering" style even though I don't water it from the bottom and I make sure I pour out any water sitting in the bottom after watering. I have read past posts about repotting Dracaenas and I'm thinking now maybe I shouldn't have done that. If it's a repotting problem, would I just be seeing negative consequences of that 9 months later? Thank you in advance!

Not seeing other plants, so after that time frame I doubt disease.

Never used a self-watering pot, but to me to looks like too little moisture.

If the soil is dry to 2" and you water a given amount, the soil/roots/plant will probably get a very small bit, the rest will drain off, and the root core and surrounding soil will still be dry.

When *some* plants are thirsty they want to be quenched thoroughly enough that they can access the moisture for the duration they need, but not so much it's still soggy after they get it.

Drainage and occasional drenchings have done well for me at least.

Most of the brown tips and spots seem to be on more mature leaves, new growth looks good.

Might be signs of an issue from a while ago that is just now becoming apparent and might have, or not, been corrected.

Hi & welcome! Did you happen to put any fertilizer spikes in this pot?

purpleinopp said: Hi & welcome! Did you happen to put any fertilizer spikes in this pot?

Thank you purpleinopp! I used a granular fertilizer and not spikes. I don't have the packaging any longer but it definitely wasn't spikes. Thanks in advance for your help!

Humboldt said: Most of the brown tips and spots seem to be on more mature leaves, new growth looks good.

Might be signs of an issue from a while ago that is just now becoming apparent and might have, or not, been corrected.

Thank you Humboldt!

And yes, the pot's kind of big in my opinion.
Big jump from an 8".

Depending on what the roots looked like when you transplanted, I'd just make sure the soil on the outer perimeter is packed in and firm. My dracenas have used their roots to stabilize themselves and done well root-bound to a certain extent.

OK. I'm not sure what else could cause spots like that. If it was my plant, I would remove the affected leaves, keep the foliage dry.

Some references for further investigation:
https://extension.psu.edu/drac... I don't think the spots match anything described there.

https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/foli... This doesn't have pics

Humboldt said: And yes, the pot's kind of big in my opinion.
Big jump from an 8".

Depending on what the roots looked like when you transplanted, I'd just make sure the soil on the outer perimeter is packed in and firm. My dracenas have used their roots to stabilize themselves and done well root-bound to a certain extent.

Thank you Humboldt! I assume repotting in a smaller pot at this point would cause more harm than good, but you have given me good advice to repack the perimeter of the pot with more soil. Thank you!

Thank you purpleinopp! Those links are very helpful. You mentioned keeping the foliage dry and I think I'll hold off on the misting I'm doing and see what happens. The humidity in my home will continue to rise naturally in the coming months and misting won't be necessary. Thank you!

My pleasure! : ) Good plan. Misting does not do enough to affect the humidity to be worth doing when compared to the fungi and molds that can take hold because of doing that.