Tall dragon tree ( Dracaena marginata ) has sword-like, red-edged green leaves. The Madagascar-born spiky tree is an excellent indoor tree for beginners because it’s drought-tolerant, easy to care for, and nearly indestructible.
The slow-growing tree might reach 20 feet after a decade. Usually grown as a potted houseplant and clipped to 6 feet or less.
Dragon tree is poisonous to pets if eaten.
Dracaena Marginata Plant Details
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Dragon plant, Madagascar dragon tree |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Mature Size | 15-20 ft. tall, 3-10 ft. wide |
| Solar Exposure | Full sun, some shade |
| Soil Type | Loamy, well-drained |
| Soil pH | Neutral to Acidic |
| Bloom Time | Spring (rare indoor flowers) |
| Flower Color | White |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | 10-12 |
| Native Areas | Madagascar |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, dogs |
Dracaena Marginata Plant Details
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Dragon plant, Madagascar dragon tree |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Mature Size | 15-20 ft. tall, 3-10 ft. wide |
| Solar Exposure | Full sun, some shade |
| Soil Type | Loamy, well-drained |
| Soil pH | Neutral to Acidic |
| Bloom Time | Spring (rare indoor flowers) |
| Flower Color | White |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | 10-12 |
| Native Areas | Madagascar |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, dogs |
How to care for dracaena marginata
Dragon trees are popular huge potted plants for homes and offices. Here are the essential care needs.
Light
Place your dragon tree in bright, indirect light. These plants may tolerate partial shade. Lower light conditions impede plant growth and create smaller, less colorful leaves. Avoid placing your dragon tree in direct sunlight—its foliage can burn easily.2
Soil
For potted dragon tree, use a loose, well-drained potting mix, preferably loamy soil with peat moss. Make sure your container can accommodate the plant’s large root system. Hawaii-imported variety may arrive with lava rock; remove one-third and replace with potting soil.
Water
Before watering a dragon tree, wait three weeks or longer until the top half of the soil is dry. Dragon trees, like many drought-tolerant plants, can be overwatered.
Temperature and humidity
Maintain your dragon tree around 70°F–80°F. They can handle regular household humidity, but if your house is dry, spritz the plant every few days with a spray bottle.
Fertilizer
Use a balanced controlled-release liquid fertilizer to lightly feed a dragon tree in spring. Although fertilizer is not necessary for a healthy plant, it can support new development.
Dragon Tree Types
The most common dragon tree kinds at plant stores and utilized as household plants are:
Dracaena marginata tricolor:
This has dark red edges, green leaves, and an ivory stripe in the center.
Dracaena marginata colorama:
This pink dragon tree has white and green stripes. It needs high light to maintain its special colors.
Dracaena marginata bicolor:
This dragon tree features red and green stripes.
Pruning
Dragon trees naturally shed dead leaves. So, pick up and throw away.
Use sterilized, sharp pruning shears to trim the tree by removing leaves that appear to be falling off or cutting down stems. Before using your pruning tool on your plant, sterilise it with a clean rag soaked in rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, rinse it, and dry it.
Common Dragon Tree Issues
Dragon trees are easy to care for, but there are certain considerations.
Leaves Falling Off
Dragon tree leaves yellow and fall off if overwatered. Such trees’ roots are vulnerable to excessive wetness. To avoid this, check soil regularly. If the top two inches of soil feel wet, you’ve overwatered.
Dropping Leaves
Drooping dragon tree leaves may indicate thirst. Avoid waiting until the plant is entirely dry before watering. Root rot may be present if the lower leaves droop more than the rest. Avoid overwatering the plant to avoid issues.
Leaf Tips or Brown Leaves
Dragon tree leaves may brown in wet or dry soil. Irrigation should be balanced. Low humidity can cause browning tips and leaf loss. Provide humidity by placing the plant on a pebble and water dish or using a humidifier.
If the plant’s leaves turn dark, the water may have too much salt or fluoride. Use distilled or non-fluoridated water on your dragon tree to avoid fluoride buildup.
Crisp Leaves
The crispy foliage on your dragon tree may indicate too much direct sunlight. Bright light can curl and crisp leaves. For optimal results, maintain the plant in indirect sunlight or moderate shade.
Yellowing Leaf
Dragon tree leaves may turn yellow. Too much direct sun may cause this. The leaves can burn, discolor, and droop.2 Before permanent harm, move the plant to oblique or filtered sun. Yellowing leaves may indicate water deficiency. Check your balance.
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