Question
I have a large house plant with thick stalks that the foliage looks somewhat like a corn plant.  It is not doing well since winter.  What type of care does it need?  It sits in corner near a ceiling heat duct.  Is this part of the problem?  It has numerous dying leaves and it looked quite healthy some months ago.  It is in a large pot and it has not been repotted since I got it which was last April.  It does not get direct light but it gets filtered light and I placed a floor lamp near it which is on about 8 hours a day.

Answer
Hi Bev,

I need a specific ID for your plant before I can properly address the problem. Can you e-mail a photo to me at the address listed below my name?

A heating duct should not be a problem as long as the leaves are not actually in contact with the duct or exposed to hot air blowing directly on them.

Indirect light in a corner suggests that it may not be getting enough light. How far away is the nearest window? Which direction does the window face and is it uncoverd throughout the day? Unless the floor lamp is a fluorescent, then it is not helping because non-fluorescent light is in the wrong part of the spectrum for good plant growth.

Pot size is probably not a problem, but overwatering might be.

I look forward to receiving a photo so I can better evaluate your plant and give you a more definitive answer.

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]