Question
Hello:

I have two plants one in each of two different rooms.  One I think is a philodendron (resembles a pothos --like the difference between yams and sweet potatoes-- but leaves and stems are more compact) and I think the other one is a striped dracaena.  I water them once a week.  Both have a dry powdery substance on  the outside of their terra cotta pots.  The philodendron's looks dusty and puffs away from the pot.  The dracaena's looks like confectioners sugar.  I have had these plants for at least five years.  I recently split the philodendron but the other philodendron in a separate pot is fine.
 Do you have any idea what this is and what I should do?  Thanks

Answer
Pat,

In my experience any residue on the outside of pots is the residue of hard water. Just how it accumulates depends on how that particular pot was fired, how hot etc. It is nothing to worry about. It will not harm the plants. Just rinse it off from time to time. Good luck.

Darlene