Dracaena is a great houseplant that does well in many climates. However, if you notice your dracaena has holes in the leaves and are wondering why this is happening, there are two potential reasons. In this blog post, we will discuss these two causes of leaf holes, as well as how to get rid of them!
Why Are There Holes In My Dracaena Leaves?
The most likely reason your dracaena has holes in the leaves is the presence of a pest called liriomyza melanogaster. There are larvae-like insects called leaf-mining flies that tunnel through the leaves.
Since the insects are only active at night and hide during the day, you may not notice them until you find a few holes in some of your dracaena leaves.
When you have holes in the leaves of your dracaena, it might also be a sign that you are having an issue with leaf spot disease. This fungus starts small – as small spots – and then becomes larger to create holes in the leaves.
How To Prevent Holes in Dracaena Leaves?
Prevent leaf miners by spraying your dracaena with neem oil (Amazon link). Pests on your dracaena may jump onto your other household plants, which could cause damage to them as well. One way to prevent insects from spreading is to use neem oil on all your houseplants when you notice just one plant needs it.
Dracaena is susceptible to leaf spot disease, which weakens the leaves and causes holes. Treat with caution as soon as possible. Remove the diseased leaves to improve plant health and dispose of them away from all plants. Neem oil can also be used as a fungicide, so it will remove any fungal infections.
How To Keep the Plant Healthy?
Location: Place your dracaena in filtered, indoor light.
Temperature and humidity: You should keep your dracaena at a temperature of about 65-70°F. Humidity should be around 60-80% for optimum growth.
Soil: Dracaena plants need nutrient-rich soil that drains well.
Watering: To avoid root rot and overwatering, keep the soil slightly moist but not wet. The plant should be watered roughly every 7-10 days. Test the dryness by dipping your finger into the top few inches of soil.
Fertilizing: Feed your Dracaena with an all-purpose fertilizer at half strength once every two months throughout the warmer season.
Cleaning: Dracaena plants can become dusty and icky, so feel free to clean them off with a damp cloth or brush every few weeks.
Conclusion
To conclude, the holes on your dracaena could be from pests or leaf spot disease. The most likely reason is an infestation of leaf miners.
Neem oil spray (Amazon link) is always a good option for insect control should you find any in your house plants.
