The most reliable method to determine life in a dormant plant is to check the cambium layer, the living tissue just beneath the bark. Using your fingernail or a small knife, gently scratch or scrape a small, inconspicuous section of a stem. Start with a tip that seems particularly lifeless. If you encounter resistance and see a dry, brittle, and brown layer underneath, that section of the stem is dead. Move down the stem, performing the test in several locations, including near the base. If you find a stem where the scraped area reveals a green or creamy white, moist layer, this is a definitive sign that the plant is still alive and is likely dormant. This green cambium indicates the plant is still transporting water and nutrients, even if no leaves are present.
Daphne plants are broadleaf evergreens, meaning they typically hold their leaves year-round. However, stress can cause them to drop leaves. The pattern of leaf drop is a critical clue. A dormant or stressed-but-alive Daphne will often exhibit a gradual yellowing and dropping of leaves, or it may hold onto its leaves even if they look a bit wilted or sad. In contrast, a dead Daphne will have leaves that rapidly turn brown, black, or crispy and may cling to the stems. If the leaves crumble easily to the touch and are uniformly brown throughout, this is a strong indicator of death. True dormancy in evergreens isn't always a complete leaf drop; it's often a period of slowed growth and minimal activity.
Even during its dormant period, a living Daphne will have buds that appear viable. Look closely at the leaf nodes (where leaves meet the stem) and the branch tips. Dormant buds should be plump, firm, and may have a greenish or reddish tint. They should not be dry, shriveled, and brittle. If you break open a bud and the inside is green and moist, that is an excellent sign. The complete absence of any buds, or the presence of buds that are completely desiccated and fall off at a touch, suggests the plant has died. Furthermore, check the base of the plant for any signs of new suckers or shoots emerging from the roots, which is a clear signal the root system is still alive.
Ultimately, the plant's fate is determined by the health of its roots. Daphne plants are notoriously sensitive to environmental stressors that attack the roots. Soggy, waterlogged soil is a primary killer, leading to root rot. Conversely, drought stress can also be fatal. Gently dig a small area near the base to check the soil moisture and smell the soil. A foul, decaying smell indicates root rot. If the larger roots are mushy and brown instead of firm and white or tan, the plant is likely dead. Other stressors include rapid temperature fluctuations, excessive fertilizer, or being planted too deeply. A plant that has succumbed to a root disease cannot enter true dormancy; dormancy is a survival strategy for a living plant, not a state of decline for a dead one.
