Dracaena marginata is a popular indoor plant with long, slender green leaves edged with red. These plants are great for beginners because they’re drought tolerant and not at all fussy about their light conditions. It’s the perfect combination of beauty and hardiness that makes a great houseplant.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Dracaena marginata, commonly known as the Dragon Tree or Madagascar Dragon Tree, is a popular houseplant known for its slender trunk and narrow, arching leaves with red or purple edges. This species is native to Madagascar, where it thrives in a range of conditions, from dry scrubland to moist, forested areas. It belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), along with agaves and hostas.
- Size: Indoors, Dracaena marginata can reach up to 6 feet tall (1.8 meters), but outdoors, in its native habitat, it can grow up to 15-20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters).
- Flowers: While it rarely flowers indoors, when it does, Dracaena marginata produces small, white, fragrant flowers, typically in spring or early summer. The plant produces orange-red berries after flowering, although this is rare in indoor conditions.
- Foliage: The striking foliage of Dracaena marginata is characterized by its tufts of glossy, deep green, sword-shaped leaves, up to 24 inches long (60 cm), with vibrant red or purple margins. These leaves arch gracefully from the central stem, creating a visual spectacle that enhances any room with a touch of the exotic. As it ages, the plant sheds its lower leaves, leaving behind unique diamond-shaped scars on the stems.
- Bark: The bark is gray and smooth, becoming more textured with age.
- Longevity: Dracaena marginata boasts remarkable longevity, often thriving for decades with proper care. Indoors, its lifespan can extend beyond 20 years, making it a lasting companion in homes and offices.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Place your dragon tree in an area with bright, indirect light. These plants can also survive in partial shade. Keep in mind, plants kept in lower light situations will grow slower and produce smaller leaves with less intense color. Additionally, take care not to place your dragon tree in a spot that receives direct rays of sunlight—its foliage can burn easily.
Temperature and Humidity
Keep your dragon tree in their preferred warmer temperatures of between 70°F and 80°F. Regular household humidity should be fine for them, but if your house is particularly dry, you can consider misting the plant lightly from a spray bottle every few days.
Watering
These plants are quite drought-resistant and don’t require a lot of water, so wait until the top half of the soil is completely dry before watering. Then, water thoroughly with distilled water, until water starts to run out the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
It’s important to use distilled water or another non-fluoridated water because fluoride and other salts in the water can cause the tips of dracaena’s leaves to get brown and crispy (and this goes for all species of dracaena). This is one of the most common issues with dracaena plants, but it’s an easy problem to fix!
Soil
Use a loose, well-drained potting mix when growing dragon tree as a potted plant—loamy soil amended with peat moss is ideal. Make sure the container you choose has room for the plant’s extensive root system. Some varieties are imported from Hawaii and will arrive with lava rock—if this is the case, remove about one-third of the rock and replace it with potting soil.
Fertilizing
This plant grows mostly in the spring and summer, so you’ll want to fertilize a little during that time. A little Indoor Plant Food in your regular watering routine is perfect!
Pruning
It’s perfectly normal for a dragon tree to self-shed dead leaves—just pick them up and discard them.
To keep the plant trimmed and neat, remove leaves that look like they are about to fall off or cut back stems with sterile, sharp pruning shears to tidy up the tree.
Sterilize your pruning tool with a clean rag doused in a common household item, such as rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, then rinse with water, and wipe the tool dry before using it on your plant.
Propagation
You can propagate your dragon tree using stem cuttings rooted in water. In fact, it’s so easily done that the varietal is often used in dish gardens and readily propagated by nurseries and retailers.
It’s best to do this in the spring when the plant is growing vigorously. It takes just about three weeks for the cuttings to sprout roots, and using a rooting hormone isn’t necessary.
- Using a sterile, sharp scissor, cut a long length of stem that’s about 8 inches.
- Remove any low-hanging leaves.
- Put the cutting in moistened potting soil.
- Place the cutting in bright, but indirect sunlight.
- Once new leaves have sprouted, you’ll know the plant has grown some new roots, and you can care for the plant as usual.
Potting and Repotting
Make sure to check your dragon tree at least once a year to see if it should be repotted into a bigger pot. Check the bottom of the container for roots coming through the drainage holes, which is a sign that the tree is root bound and in need of a larger container.
Choose a new pot with a diameter about two inches larger than its current container. Make sure that it has one or more drainage holes.
Because these trees grow so slowly, they generally require repotting only every second—or even third—year. In the meantime, you can refresh the potting soil annually to replace any of the mixture that has become compacted.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests
Although they are fairly disease-resistant, dragon trees are susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs, and thrips. Mealybugs are easy to identify as they leave small, sticky, cottony deposits on the leaves of the tree.
Dragon tree plants are also at risk of acquiring the common plant pest, spider mites. They tend to occur when temperatures are warm and the air is very dry; however, mites are very difficult to see until they have already damaged the plant.
Common Problems
While dragon trees are fairly easy to maintain, there are a few things to look out for.
- Leaves Falling Off
Overwatering can cause the leaves of dragon trees to yellow and fall off. These trees are sensitive to excessive moisture in their roots. To avoid this, check the soil regularly. If the top two inches of soil feel too wet, it’s a sign that you have gone too far with watering.
- Drooping Leaves
If you notice the leaves of your dragon tree drooping, it could be a sign that the plant is thirsty. You should avoid waiting for the plant to dry out completely before watering it. If the lower leaves are drooping significantly more than the rest of the plant, it could be a symptom of root rot. To avoid any problems, also ensure that you are not over-watering the plant.
- Brown Leaves or Leaf Tips
If the soil is too moist or too dry, dragon tree leaves may start to brown. Make sure you’re striking the right balance when irrigating. Additionally, lack of humidity can lead to browning tips and eventually leaf loss. To improve humidity, place the plant on a dish filled with pebbles and water or use a humidifier.
If the plant develops brown tips on its leaves, that’s usually a sign the water you’re using has too much salt or fluoride, which can cause discoloration. To avoid fluoride buildup, water your dragon tree with distilled or non-fluoridated water.
- Crispy Leaves
If you notice that the foliage on your dragon tree is crunchy, it could be a sign that the plant is receiving too much direct sunlight. When exposed to bright light, the leaves can curl and become crispy. For best results, it is recommended to keep the plant in indirect sunlight or even partial shade.
- Yellowing Leaves
In some instances, you may notice the leaves of your dragon tree turning yellow. This could be the result of too much direct sun. The leaves can scorch, become discolored, and start to droop.2 Move the plant to a spot receiving more indirect or filtered sun before permanent damage is caused. Yellowing leaves could also be a sign the plant needs more or less water. Make sure you’re striking the right balance.
III. Uses and Benefits
Excellent air-purifying plant, known for removing toxins from indoor air, promotes a healthier living environment.
It adds aesthetic appeal to any space with its striking appearance characterized by long, slender leaves and architectural form.
According to Feng Shui, it is believed to bring positive energy, balance, and tranquility to its surroundings.
The low-maintenance nature of the dragon tree makes it an ideal plant for busy individuals or those new to plant care.
