Dragon Trees have formed sword-like leaves, making them an attractive expansion to any office or home. They are famous because of their easy care requirements: like requiring less water than most indoor plants. These trees also have air-refining capacities, making them wonderful house plants.
Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata)
- Botanical Name: Dracaena Marginata
- Common Names: Dragon Plant, Dragon Tree, Madagascar Dragon Tree
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Mature Size: 15–20 ft. tall, 3–10 ft. wide
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained
- Bloom Time: Spring (rarely flowers indoors)
- Soil pH: Neutral to acidic
- Flower Color: White
- Native Areas: Madagascar
- Hardiness Zones: 10–12 (USDA)
- Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to cats
- Dragon Tree Care
Dragon Tree Plant Care
Sunlight
The best way to focus on Dragon Tree is to give them the perfect light. Indeed, a Dragon Tree plant can survive in low light conditions. However, it prefers filtered bright light. Dragon Tree plants in lower light conditions will grow slowly and produce smaller leaves with less intense colors. Don't place your Dragon Tree under direct sunlight because the rays will burn its foliage.
Water
Water your Dragon Tree when the topsoil begins to dry. It will not die if not watered in 2-3 days.
Humidity and Temperature
Next, you have to focus on the humidity and temperature of your place. Dragon Tree can survive in a climate with normal humidity. However, it prefers conditions with higher humidity. It also favors temperatures ranging from 70-80°F. If the temperature is below 55°F, it will harm the plant.
Toxicity
This tree is not pet-friendly. It causes weakness, vomiting, and depression in pets.
Types of Dragon Tree
Although there are various kinds of the dragon tree, here are 3 common types we want to introduce:
- Dracaena Marginata 'Tricolor': This slow-growing species develops well with little care. It may take up to three years to achieve a height of about 4′ feet. This species features few distinctive leaf varieties.
- Marginata 'Colorama': It is a cultivar of the renowned Dragon plant, the D. marginata. This plant is easy to grow and suitable to grow in your home and office. Also, you can grow them outside at a temperature of over 60 °F.
- Marginata 'Bicolor': It is the best type of dragon plant. Dark green leaves are fixed with an attractive strand of Bordeaux red, encasing groups of emerald green and ivory yellow.
Pruning and Propagating Dragon Tree
Pruning Madagascar Dragon Tree includes the removal of dead and yellow leaves to facilitate the plant’s growth. The plant does not need regular pruning. To support its development, the stem can be cut at the ideal height and another fledgling of stems will arise beneath the cut. This helps the plant create a few new stems. The foliage radiating from the pruning can be used to spread new plants.
Cuttings, as trimmed tops from plants that have gotten excessively tall or leggy, can be rooted in water, yet it may require several months. Numerous cuttings of various heights can be planted in a similar pot. Few people have also revealed effectively growing cuttings by laying them on soil, keeping the soil wet, and hoping that roots will grow.
Potting and Repotting Dragon Tree
Repotting is necessary every two years, generally best accomplished throughout the spring. When you see lower leaves on the stem turning yellow, do not worry as it will be planning for new growth. Remove yellowed leaves by delicately pulling lower. They will come directly off.
Prevent the plant from growing higher by "topping" it, a term for cutting the middle stem at the top. Topping helps the branches with growing so you will not have to do more maintenance to deal with the height.
Repotting your dragon tree into bigger pots is crucial. You can revive the gardening soil every year to replace any of the mixes that have become condensed.
Common Pests
Scale Insects, Mealy Bugs, and Spider Mites are the common pests in Madagascar Dragon Tree.
FAQs
Are Dragon trees easy to care for?
Yes, it is an easy-care houseplant.
Are Dragon trees poisonous?
The sap in the stems and leaves has a little toxic substance that can irritate pets and people when ingested.
How quickly can dragon trees grow?
Dragon trees grow slowly. They can take a decade to reach only a few feet tall.
