Is there any hope for this corn palm?

Jun 6, 2026 2:03 PM

UnicornIRL

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I rescued the top four-ish feet of a 12 foot corn palm from our workplace that's shutting down (it was destined for the dumpster, another coworker took the bottom portion). This thing had been there for well over twenty-five years and had even flowered several times that I had looked after it for the past decade (the smell of jasmine walking into a cold office in the winter was lovely). I couldn't take the whole thing because I'm not rich enough to have 12 foot ceilings.

In the last two months, the leaves have browned more than they did while still at work. It had plenty of indirect light there, and I tried the same at my house. But they kept browning and browning and dropping off. The only reason it's outside in this shot is because we're redoing the living room and don't need the plants covered in dust and reno particles. We've had several hot days, but we're keeping this in a section of the porch that doesn't get direct light. And yet the leaves still look burned.

Is this shock from being moved from its "home"? Too much indirect light? Should it be cut in half to try to rescue the bottom half before all of the leaves die? Or cut in half to rescue the top somehow?

12 foot ≈ 3.66 metres

3 months ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

YES, as compost for other plants.

3 months ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Check the soil and roots, and as another poster noted, humidity is a factor. You can spray I

3 months ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

What do you mean they took the bottom portion? Is this a top cut? Did you put rooting powder on it? Are you keeping it outside and was it outside when it was at your work?

3 months ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yes, it's a top cut; I only got the top section with the leaves, cut right under a node, and they took the remaining portion of stem with the roots (along with the original pot with soil that had never been changed). No rooting powder was used because the coworker said to just cut it and it'll root itself in soil.
It has only been outside for a few days, otherwise it is inside at all times, including when it was at work.

3 months ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Check the roots and soil, if it's too wet an old tree might not handle the new environment and the roots can start rotting. Older plants can be stunned or enter dormancy if they are shocked too hard, and adding more x y z normal growth factor will only hurt it harder.

3 months ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Just noticed you said it's a 4 foot cutting of a 12 foot plant, it doesn't have a root system and can't pull water to the leaves. Cut the stem down and immerse the new cut in water with some rooting solution, and put a tent or dome over the leaves to limit transpiration. Cut the leaves down to 2-3 healthy smallish leaves. Source: cannabis cloning protocol

3 months ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

DM me if you need more assistance

3 months ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Interesting. One of our coworkers said that corn palms and pretty much all dracena don't need a root system to grow because ~mAgIc~, and cuttings can be placed right into soil. I'll check the local stores for rooting solution. Thank you!

3 months ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

We have one that we thought was toast. It started growing some new growth at the bottom! Good luck with yours!

3 months ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

At the bottom? Did it sprout from the side, or was it down by the roots?

3 months ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

/gallery/7NJ3VsF

3 months ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

3 months ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It is a water issue. Either crap quality water or low humidity

3 months ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It has been getting filtered water and we're entering the humid days of summer, but yeah the last several weeks have been dry as fuck.

3 months ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Filtered water IS crap water for plants. Either spring water or rain water is best for recovery. Distilled for some.

3 months ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Ah poop.
Is it okay to use tap water that sits out for a day or two?

3 months ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Indeedy

3 months ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0