The dragon tree (Dracaena marginata) is a great houseplant for people who are just starting out because it doesn’t need a lot of care to stay healthy. It does well in low light and stores water in its trunk, so you don’t have to worry about watering it as much. It makes an attractive feature plant, with tall elegant stems and thin, evergreen arching leaves with red edges. Dragon tree is also good for you. As part of NASA’s clean air study, it was tested and found to help get rid of air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene that cause cancer.
It comes from Madagascar and has small white flowers in the spring where it lives, but it probably won’t do that inside.
If you have cats or dogs, don’t grow dragon tree because it is poisonous to them. Cats like to chew on the leaves the most.
The dragon tree plant, also known as Dracaena marginata, is an easy to care for houseplant that can add a tropical vibe to any space. With its spiky leaves and woody stems, the dragon tree has an exotic appearance that makes it a striking addition to both homes and offices. While generally low maintenance, providing the proper care will keep your dragon tree healthy and looking its best. Read on to learn all about how to care for a dragon tree plant.
Choosing the Right Spot
When deciding where to place your dragon tree, it’s important to pick the proper lighting. Dragon trees thrive in bright, indirect light Placing them near an east or west facing window is ideal Direct sunlight can actually scorch the leaves, so make sure to filter the light if needed. Bathrooms and kitchens are great spots as they provide the humidity these plants prefer.
Using the Proper Soil
A loose, well-draining potting mix is best for dragon trees The soil should be kept slightly moist but not soggy or wet I like to use a peat moss based soil amended with perlite or bark to improve drainage. When repotting, choose a container that’s only slightly larger than the current pot so the roots remain a bit cramped.
Watering Correctly
Dragon trees prefer being slightly under-watered versus overwatered. Allow the top few centimeters of soil to dry out before watering again. I usually wait until the pot feels light when lifted before giving my plant a drink. The leaves will start to droop when thirsty. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then dump out any excess water so it doesn’t sit in the saucer.
Monitoring Humidity
Average household humidity is fine for dragon trees. But if your home tends to be dry, I recommend misting the leaves every few days or using a humidifier. Keeping the humidity around 40-50% will prevent brown leaf tips.
Providing Fertilizer
Only fertilize dragon trees occasionally, as they are sensitive to excess nutrients. I fertilize mine at half strength once in early spring when growth resumes. Choose either a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted in water or a slow release pellet formula.
Displaying Your Plant
One of the great aspects of the dragon plant is how easy it is to shape and style. As it slowly grows taller, you can prune stems to keep it fuller and more tree-like. Simply use sharp, clean pruners to cut the stems where desired. You can also weave and twist the stems together to form braided or wrapped trunks. Get creative with shaping your dragon tree!
Propagating Dragon Trees
These plants are simple to propagate from stem cuttings. In spring, cut 4-6 inch tips off stems and remove some of the lower leaves. Place in water or moist potting mix. New roots will sprout in a few weeks. Once established, the cuttings can be repotted.
Repotting Your Plant
Although slow growing, dragon trees will eventually need repotting. This is only necessary every 2-3 years. Choose a pot one size larger and replenish some of the soil, but don’t go too big. Keeping the roots slightly cramped will discourage overwatering.
Caring for Dragon Tree Issues
While generally very easy going, there are a few problems to look out for with dragon trees:
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Drooping or yellow leaves usually indicate overwatering. Allow the plant to dry out more before the next watering.
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Brown leaf tips mean the air is too dry. Mist more frequently or use a humidifier to increase moisture.
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Leaves falling off can happen if exposed to cold drafts. Keep your plant away from air vents, doors, and windows.
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If leaves are crispy, the plant is getting too much direct sun. Filter or diffuse the light.
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Mealybugs, scale, and mites may sometimes be pests. Wipe leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Fun Facts About Dragon Trees
Now that you know how to care for a dragon tree, here are some interesting tidbits about this unique houseplant:
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Dragon trees can grow up to 20 feet tall in their native Madagascar. Indoors they are usually kept around 6 feet with pruning.
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The narrow leaves have red edges which give the plant its exotic look. Some varieties have different colored stripes and margins.
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Dragon trees were shown to help clean indoor air and remove pollutants in a NASA study. This makes them a great addition to any home.
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It’s thought these plants can live over 100 years when grown in optimal conditions. Proper care will keep them thriving for decades.
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Sap from the related Dracaena draco tree in the Canary Islands was once valued as “dragon’s blood” and used as a dye and medicine.
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Dragon trees rarely bloom indoors, but produce white flowers on long stems when grown outside in ideal conditions.
Bring the Tropics Home
With its tropical appeal and sculptural form, the dragon tree makes a striking yet easy to care for houseplant. By providing the right amount of light and water, keeping humidity in mind, giving occasional fertilizer, and pruning when needed, your dragon tree will flourish indoors. Moving a plant outside for the summer can provide benefits as well. With just a little attention, you can enjoy this exotic beauty for many years to come. The dragon tree truly is a gem that brings a distinct, tropical feel to any indoor space.
How to propagate a dragon tree
Take one of the stems and cut off the tip, leaving it about 8 cm long and pencil-thick. Do this just above a node, which is where a leaf or stem is attached. The best time to do this is in spring. Cut off a third of the lower leaves and put it your cutting in a jar of water. After a few weeks you will see when roots appear. To keep the cutting from getting sick, change the water in the jar every week. Once you can see a good set of roots, plant it in potting compost.
Dragon trees can be susceptible to red spider mite. These sap-sucking mites cause mottled leaves and leaf drop. Look out for a fine webbing on the leaves. Check the underside of leaves with a magnifying glass to see if you can find tiny mites and eggs. As red spider mite thrives in dry environments, mist regularly to increase humidity.
Scale insects are most likely to be found around the stems or on the underside of leaves. Some leave behind a sticky honeydew, which can encourage the growth of sooty mould. Try removing scale insects with your thumb nail or using a soap spray.
Thrips, or thunderflies, cause mottling and you may see tiny black dots on the leaves. Another species that does well in dry places; stop them from spreading by misting the leaves with water to make the air more humid.
How to care for a dragon tree
Avoid overwatering dragon trees. Wait until the compost is dry before watering – it should be about half dry. If you see brown leaf tips, you need to water less. On the other hand, if you see yellow leaves, you might need to water more.
Wipe the leaves every so often to remove dust and keep the leaves healthy. Pull out any leaves that have gone brown or died. Dragon trees lose some leaves every once in a while to make room for new growth.
It’s best to keep dragon trees’ roots slightly crowded, so they only need to be repotted every three to four years. This will help prevent the compost getting too moist.
Feed around every fourth time you water during the growing season, with a general house plant fertiliser.
Dragon trees thrive in rooms with average humidity so there’s no need to mist the leaves.
How to prune
There’s no need to prune a dragon tree. Simply take out any dead or damaged leaves.
The Dragon Tree Care & Info (Dracaena marginata)
FAQ
How often do you water a Dragon Tree?
Is a Dragon Tree an indoor or outdoor plant?
How long does a dragon plant last?
How do you care for a dragon tree?
Dragon trees are very popular as large potted plants for homes and offices. Here are the most important care requirements. Water regularly during their growing season. Place in bright, indirect light, though they can thrive in a variety of light conditions. Fertilize conservatively at the beginning of spring.
How often should you water a dragon tree?
Alternatively, you can place your plant atop a homemade humidity tray. Simply fill a cake tin with pebbles and add water. In an average environment, a dragon tree will need watering once or twice a month (more frequently in the spring/summer and less frequently in the fall/winter).
Are dragon trees good houseplants?
These easygoing, rugged houseplants can add dramatic tropical vibes to any space. With spiky green leaves on long stalks, they can resemble miniature palm trees. In the wild, dragon trees can grow up to 70 feet tall and live for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
How do you grow a dragon tree from a pruned stem?
The leafy top portion of a pruned stem can simply be planted in soil to create a new plant if desired. Step 1: Cut eight-inch sections of dragon tree stem, taking care to note which end is the top and which end is the bottom of each cutting. Step 2: Place cuttings in a glass or jar of water.