Question
Hi my name is Alma and I live in California. 5 months ago I got a Lemon Lime plant for my living room, when i brought it home my husband changed it to another pot and he also changed the soil (I didn't know he used garden soil not potting soil untill last night# and we water it once a month however we didn't water it this month since its cold and the soil was still humid. A weeks ago I notice the bottom leaves were yellow and the tips started getting brown but yesterday I noticed the tiny leaves on top are also getting brown so today I'm changing the old soil for potting soil but I noticed the bottom of the stem #right before the root) is black, dry, and thin it looks "sucked" and now I don't know what to do, my husband said to throw it away but its so beautiful I don't want to give up on it.. I mean you don't give up on your children when they're rotten right?

Answer
Hi Alma,

I would encourage that you (and your hubby) be patient with the plant.  At this point, if most of the leaves are green, then there may still be hope.  Many house plants will show leaf yellowing and tip browning in the winter months.  If the plant is going to recover, it will show new growth in the spring when the light intensity increases.  Do not give the plant any extra water, especially during the winter.  Wait until the soil feels dry to the touch and then give it a drink.  Be sure not to let the plant sit in standing water.  Most plants have a very low nutrient and water requirement in the winter.

Since the plant may or may not survive, you may want to take some tip cuttings.  You will need to locate some shoots that appear healthy.  Often, problems in the roots do not extend up into the foliage, so you can safely propagate the plant with cuttings.  You can review this article if you need guidance on what to do: http://www.ehow.com/how_2082844_propagate-dracaena.html.

Good luck!
--Jen