Dragon tree(Dracaena marginata),is a tall plant with green, sword-like, red-edged leaves.
However, it is generally grown as a potted houseplant and kept pruned to 6 feet or less.
Keep the dragon tree away from pets because it’s toxic to animals if ingested.
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Here are the most important care requirements.
Light
Place your dragon tree in an area with bright, indirect light.
These plants can also survive inpartial shade.
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check that the container you choose has room for the plant’s extensive root system.
Like many drought-tolerant plants, the dragon tree can be easily overwatered.
Temperature and Humidity
Keep your dragon tree in their preferred warmer temperatures of between 70F and 80F.
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Fertilizer
Feed a dragon tree lightly at the beginning of spring with a balanced controlled-release liquid fertilizer.
Propagating Dragon Tree
You canpropagate your dragon treeusing stem cuttings rooted in water.
It’s best to do this in the spring when the plant is growing vigorously.
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It takes just about three weeks for the cuttings to sprout roots, and using arooting hormoneisnt necessary.
Propagating Tip
Looking for the best pruners to propagate your dragon tree?
Choose a new pot with a diameter about 2 inches larger than its current container.
The Spruce / Corinne Bryson
confirm that it has one or more drainage holes.
Because these trees grow so slowly, they generally require repotting only every secondor even thirdyear.
Here areour favorite indoor plantersto pick from.
To prevent overwatering, you’re free to also go with one of theseself-watering planters.
Mix them with the recommended amount of water and spray on the leaves, stems, and soil.
Leaves Falling Off
Overwatering can cause the leaves of dragon trees to become yellow and fall off.
These trees are sensitive to excessive moisture in their roots.
To avoid this, check the soil regularly.
You should avoid waiting for the plant to dry out completely before watering it.
To avoid any problems, also ensure that you are not over-watering the plant.
ensure you’re striking the right balance when irrigating.
Additionally, lack of humidity can lead to browning tips and eventual leaf loss.
Improve humidity by placing the plant ona dish filled with pebblesand water or use a humidifier.
Water your dragon tree with distilled or non-fluoridated water to avoid fluoride buildup.
When exposed to bright light, the leaves can curl and become crispy.
Keep the plant in indirect sunlight or partial shade for best results.
Yellowing leaves could also be a sign the plant needs more or less water.
see to it you strike the right balance.
Is this the right plant for you?
A DRAGON TREE IS A GOOD CHOICE IF:
The cons of growing a dragon tree involve pests.
This plant attracts scale insects and mites.
Indoors, it could reach 6 feet tall.
Outdoors, it could reach 20 feet tall after another 30 years.
Dragon tree pots should be big enough to accommodate their extensive root systems.
Although they may not require a large pot right away, this will change as they mature.
In theory, a dragon tree could live for hundreds of years in the wild.
As a houseplant in optimal conditions with appropriate repotting, a dragon tree can live up to 15 years.
Dragon trees rarely flower and bloom when grown indoors.
The dragon tree boasts tiny white flowers in the spring when grown outdoors in optimal conditions.
Plants You Might Also Like
Dragon tree are toxic to pets.
Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center.
Dracaena fragrans.North Carolina State University Extension.
Henderson County Master Gardener Association, Texas Master Gardeners.
