Question
I have a corn plant that I've had for over two years.  It's was growing great then I notice it started to grow more leafs from the out of the soil.  Some of the leafs were turning brown and yellow.
So I re-potted it.  It's now in a 21" pot instead of a 15".  Now the leaves are really turning yellow and brown.  They are mostly all dead.  Even the "Branch" (I'm not sure what to call it) were the leaves hang from is turning yellow too!  I've moved it into sunlight but to no avail.  help, I love this plant.

Answer
Hi Fina,

When new shoots start to emerge close to the soil and at the base of a corn plant, it is almost always a sign that the main stem or cane has started to die. If the bark on the cane is loose and papery, then for sure that cane has died and is beyond recovery.

Why does this happen? It is almost always due to improper watering. Corn plants are best watered only when the top third of the soil has dried out. They will survive too much water for a long time without apparent damage. However, by the time the leaves start to yellow, it is usually too late.

Unfortunately, moving it into a larger pot aggravated the problem because the added soil will retain water for even longer and promote further root rot.

The only thing you can do is to cut back on the watering frequency and hope that the root damage is not yet complete. With time and patience, it may come back.

Good luck and please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]