Tall & skinny mystery plant w/only top foliage - what am

toskye · Thu May 05, 2011 2:28 am

This very sad plant wants to be identified so it stops dying. :-s Can anyone help me figure out what it is and how to care for it?
Thanks

[img]http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g421/toskye1/foliage.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g421/toskye1/tallskinny.jpg[/img]

Kisal · Thu May 05, 2011 2:32 am

Looks like it might be a Dracaena. I can't tell the species for sure, but based on the reddish leaf edges, it might be marginata.

cynthia_h · Thu May 05, 2011 3:41 am

I think it's a Dracaena, too; I've worked in two offices where very neglected Dracaenae

flourished under the terrible indoor lighting and very occasional watering. They seem to positively thrive on neglect.

Sunset's Western Garden Book recommends watering them only when the top 1/2 to 1 inch of container soil is DRY.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

toskye · Thu May 05, 2011 3:24 pm

Thanks to both of you.

After googling the pictures, I think you are right. No wonder that poor thing has survived despite all odds. Hopefully some better tlc will make it thrive instead of just survive.
Thank you!

dirtyfingers · Mon May 09, 2011 4:45 am

Those things are very hearty.

I had one growing in a large pot in my patio and it was very root bound so cut it down to a couple of inches above the dirt line and took it over to my GF's house to see if she could use the pot. She took the stump out, placed it in a larger pot and now that thing is a monster near her front door!