Dragon Tree
Dracaena marginata
The dragon tree has slim, woody stems topped with tufts of narrow leaves edged in red. It is a tough, sculptural houseplant that tolerates dry air and occasional neglect.
Photo: B.navez · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Bright indirect light, Low light
Watering
Low
Water when the top half of the soil is dry.
Soil
Well-drained potting mix; pH 6.0–6.5.
Temperature and humidity
13–32 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed every two months in spring and summer.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings, air layering
Cut stems to any height; two or three new heads will sprout below the cut.
Dracaenas are toxic to cats and dogs and can cause vomiting and drooling.
Top Cultivation Tips
Brown tips often come from fluoride in tap water.
Lower leaves drop naturally as stems grow.
Tricolor varieties need brighter light.
Root the cut tops in water.
Common problems
Root rot
Roots decay in waterlogged soil, so the plant wilts and yellows even though the soil is wet.
How to treat it →PestScale insects
Immobile, shell-covered insects that cling to stems and leaves, draining sap and weakening trees and houseplants.
How to treat it →PestSpider mites
Tiny sap-sucking mites that thrive in hot, dry conditions, causing speckled, dull leaves and fine webbing.
How to treat it →
