Question
Picture of Harry
Hi! I bought a small indoor tree plant over the summer and named him Harry. He has very long, thin green leaves (please see picture- this is when he was healthy). It has been doing well until this week. It's lower leaves have now all started turning brown and falling off. I've also noticed some white fuzzy stuff at the place where his leaves attach. I don't know what kind of plant it is, if this is normal or if it is dying, or how to care for it properly. I really don't want him to die! He is one of my favorites! Please help!
AnswerThat's a Dracaena marginata, sometimes called a dragon tree, but most plant people just call it a marginata.
The fuzzy white stuff is probably an insect called a meally bug. Spraying them with a dilute (about 50%) alcohol spray will get rid of them easily, or you can wipe them off with a rag or sponge, but you'll have to continue to do that periodically.
Harry likes bright light, and doesn't like for his soil to stay wet. Let him dry out a bit before watering, and don't ever let him sit in water.
Trey
