Deterioration, drooping and dried branches can be water issues but also result from extended environmental stress. First, check for signs of watering issues that can affect the health of the root system and may be difficult to recover from. The plant needs to have the right growing conditions for strong, healthy roots:

• Strong, unblocked, south-facing sunlight daily so that the plant is able to use the water in the soil to photosynthesize.
• A terracotta container with a drain hole and a run-off dish that is emptied after watering. The container should be no larger than is necessary and should have fast-draining soil.
• Review watering instructions in our Guide to Pencil Tree Houseplant Care and make sure that you are adjusting water frequency for the low levels of light in winter.
• High humidity or lack or air circulation can keep soil excessively damp for extended periods.

Damp soil injuries can lead to plant death if not corrected quickly. Examine the roots and stem of the plant gently looking for healthy, firm tissue. If roots or stem have become largely slimy, soft or mushy, the plant is unlikely to survive.

If the root system is in good shape and the problem is not watering, review the most common environmental stresses for the plant that may be causing decline. Is it exposed to:

• an air conditioning or heat vent,
• a cold micro-climate by a window,
• high humidity,
• limited sunlight,
• a care routine that doesn't allow it a seasonal rest period by adjusting watering, temperature and fertilizing frequency (October - February),
• watering with very cold water or over-fertilizing?

These environmental factors can be easier for a plant to recover from if adjustments are made in time. Do not make too many significant changes all at once or the plant will become further stressed. Instead, ease the plant from the current environment to a more appropriate setting. You can read about a good care routine for the plant in our Guide to Pencil Tree Houseplant Care. Be patient and keep the plant stable and well-cared for while it regathers its strength.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service