I have been taking care of a plant that has long, slender dark green leaves. The leaves tips are pointed. The branches/stems are cane like, and the plant is about 4 feet tall. There are a couple of different branches/stems. Some grew straight and some curve. Unfortunately, I do not know the name of the plant. It was fine up up until yesterday. I dusted the plant with a damp paper towel. And today the tips of the leaves turned dark brown/black, and are crumbling off. Will the tips ever return to normal? How do I restore my plant back to health. Not sure if it's being over/under watered. The plant gets plenty of sun light. Can the plant be affected being near a vent? Do burning lots of candels have any effect on plants? I am just trying to figure out how my plant did a 180 over night? Please help, I have had this plant a long time and I love how it looks in my living area. Also, with these different branches/stems growing off, would I be able to cut off the more viable braches/stems and repot them? Does a plant like this require fertilizer?

Thank you, Cindy

Sounds like you may have a Dracaena.

Main reasons for dry brown tips can be from low humidity,over or under-watering, wrong light,or over-fertilizing.

Unfortunately, the tips will not go back to a healthy green again, but, you can cut them off with scissors into a pointed shape to look natural instead of cutting straight across,cutting a little into the green tissue, but the brown could come back.

Dracaena's should not be in direct sun. Put it where it will get bright indirect light, or off to the side of a sunny window.Keeping it away from any drying direct heat or vents is a good idea.

Water well thoroughly when soil is pretty close to being dry, empty out excess so it's not sitting in water.

Fertilize using half strength or less of what is recommended in the spring and summer months now and then since this plant is not a real fast grower. Don't use fertilizer sticks, they can burn the roots if touching them since they can take longer to break down than liguid or pellet form

Tip cuttings or air-layering for propagation, New leaves will form near where the cut was made on the original plant.