- It depends on the position of the leaves
- The right amount is important when it comes to sunlight and water supply
- Don't panic after repotting
In itself, the dragon tree is a fairly decorative houseplant with an optical exotic factor. However, the aesthetic appeal of these mostly unbranched plants suffers massively from deficiency symptoms such as limp hanging leaves.
If the dragon tree is dropping its leaves, it does not necessarily mean that it is thirsty
It depends on the position of the leaves
If only the lowest leaves on your dragon tree are slowly but surely leaning towards the thin, gray trunk, there is generally no reason to worry. In the course of the natural growth of a dragon tree, new leaves form at the top of the plant, while the lowest and therefore oldest leaves slowly turn yellow and eventually fall off. On the other hand, there is more cause for concern if the top of the plant turns yellow or brown from above. Yellow or brown spots on the leaves can also be signs of:
- pest infestation
- Diseases
- care mistakes
The right amount is important when it comes to sunlight and water supply
Dragon tree species in particular with uniformly green leaves quickly lose their leaves in very sunny locations. You should then also resist the temptation to compensate for the increased solar radiation by watering even more frequently. Hanging leaves can certainly indicate a certain degree of root dryness, but conversely it can also be an indication of roots damaged by waterlogging or the result of a location that is too cool.
Don't panic after repotting
If drooping leaves appear on a freshly repotted dragon tree, this is quite normal for a period of a few weeks. After all, it takes a while before the roots, which have been disrupted in their function, can supply the plant as usual again. This applies all the more when switching to hydroponics, since the roots first have to grow into the water container of the plant pot. Simply compensate for this "operational" dryness a bit by spraying the leaves of the plant with water from time to time or by significantly increasing the humidity in the room.
tips
Spraying the leaves not only helps after repotting and in dry heating air: Since spider mites love warm and dry conditions, these pests can be scared away at least partially by regular water mist.