Dracaena marginata makes a adorable tree indoors or outside , and is passably easy to worry for . In this post , I ’ll show you all you require to know in society to be successful , and keep your Madagascar tartar tree thriving for decades to total .
Home gardener look for a low - maintenance , beautiful houseplant will screw a Dracaena marginata .
They ’re very durable and adapt easily to many different light stage setting . Plus , the flushed and green foliage make them a stunning add-on to your home !
Dracaena marginata tricolor variety
In this detailed Dracaena marginata care guide you ’ll get a line just how round-eyed they can be to grow .
In this all over scout , you ’ll learn about the best soil , water , twinkle , and how to maintain them through the year with pruning tips , generation , pestilence command , and much more .
tabular array of table of contents
What Is Dracaena marginata?
Dracaena marginata , commonly called dragon tree diagram , is an evergreentropical plantthat is native to Madagascar .
The lissom , arching leaves are typically green with red margins . They develop in tufts at the end of one , or multiple , stem ( aka canes ) .
As they age , the bottom leave course drop off , exit beautiful , diamond shaped shape behind .
They can exist for many years , and are even good forremoving toxin from the airin your habitation .
Different Types Of Dragon Trees
The bicolored leaves on the common tartar tree diagram are sensational . But other types show off color variation that are just as easy to love . Here are a few of my favourite .
Dracaena marginata Flowers
Though very rarified on indoor works , Dracaena marginata can bloom . In the spring , modest , fragrant whitened flowers can bloom from great , branching stalk .
As the blossom slicing they ’re followed by belittled scarlet or orangish berry that can contain feasible seeds .
Dragon Tree Growth Rate
One of the most amazing things about firedrake tree diagram is their height . They can reach a towering 20 ’ tall !
Do n’t worry about make room for a large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree just yet , however ; they do n’t grow fast . It can take a decade or more to attain their full altitude , and even longer when kept indoors .
Toxicity
Unfortunately , dragon tree diagram are toxic to dogs and cats when ingested , according to theASPCA website . So if you have one , it ’s unspoilt to keep them out of reach of your pets and small shaver .
How To Grow Dracaena marginata
Before we talk about how to care for Dracaena marginata , first let ’s chat about the best growing environment . Choosing the right pip can help them subsist for decades .
Hardiness
Since they are perennial in their native climate , flying dragon trees can be kept outdoors year around in zone 10 - 12 . But they will start to suffer if left outside once it commence below 60 ° F for long periods of metre .
block weather condition will chop-chop wipe out the leaf , and eventually the intact Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . So if you live in a cold mood , then you ’ll have to bring it indoors during the winter .
Where To Grow A Dragon Tree
Dracaena marginata make a bang-up indoor plant year - round . Or , you could summer them outdoors , and move it back inwardly before the temperature dribble below 60 ° atomic number 9 .
Indoors , a gay south face window would be idealistic . But they can also do well with eastward or west facing exposure .
If you live in a warm enough area , you may leave them outside in a sens , or set them directly in the garden . Choose a spot that has good drain where they will receive direct sun in the mornings and evenings .
Dracaena marginata Care & Growing Instructions
Now that you have the staring location in idea , it ’s time to blab out about Dracaena marginata deal . The right intelligence is that all of the different varieties will fly high using these grow tips .
Sunlight
Dragon trees are kind of a across-the-board array of light levels . It ’s part of why they ’re so popular as office staff and houseplant .
But , they ’ll grow faster and have more vibrant colors when give plentifulness of lustrous light . For best results indoors , keep them in a sunny window with as much direct photo as potential .
If they start to get leggy or the colour are fade , then impart agrow lightto supplement .
Outdoors they do well in partial shade to full sun . in person , I find they do better outside when they get direct sunshine in the morn and evenings , but are protected from intense afternoon irradiation .
Water
Overwatering is the number one crusade of unhealthy Dracaena marginata , they just do n’t call for that much .
When the soil is ironic a couple of inches down , give them a recondite drinkable , and run out off any excess . Never permit them sit down in water , and do n’t keep the dirt boggy .
It ’s important to always turn back first to make certain they need it , rather than going by a schedule . I recommend an inexpensivesoil moisture gaugeto help you out .
The type of water you use also matters . mineral and chemicals in hydrant water can cause brown tips on the leaves , so apply distilled or rainwater instead , if possible .
Humidity
They ’re also large-minded of different humidity levels . Average house humidness is fine , but they can thrive with higher levels too .
haze over them from time to time if your home is particularly wry , or set them up on a pebble tray . you could also run ahumidifiernearby to increase the wet in the air .
Temperature
Dragon tree really prefer warmer temperatures . They ’ll be happiest in the 60 - 80 ° F range , and can ache leafage drop or even death if exposed to temps lower than that for too long .
In very hot arid climate or during a summer heatwave , they may need more frequent waterings , or a little more spook to keep them from burning .
Fertilizer
Dracaena marginata does n’t require fertiliser as part of its regular maintenance bit . But the periodic alimentation can help them grow fuller and tall faster , and also keeps the colors brighter .
Only fertilize in the spring and summer , then stop in the capitulation and winter . Use water solubleindoor plant foodorcompost teatwo to three times a year . you could also top - curry them withgranulesin the spring or early summer .
I commend using only instinctive and constitutional products , and avoiding synthetical chemicals as they can easy burn up the sensitive farewell .
Soil
Natively , Dracaena marginata grows in rocky , loose dirt . So revive that at home will keep them healthy . Ideally they favour a slightly acidic well - draining , loamy grunge with a pH of 6 - 7 .
I recommend using a fast - drainingsandy mixfor them , especially if you tend to overwater .
you could make your own by immix equal partspotting soilwithperliteorcoarse sand . Adding a littlepeat mossis an easy way to increase the acidity .
Repotting
Since they are slow - growing , dragon Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree do n’t involve frequent repotting for successful care . If you see a significant diminution in increment , or roots are pry through the drainage muddle , it ’s time to size up .
opt a container just a few inches large than the current one so it ’s not overwhelmed by the space , and ensure it has equal drain golf hole in the bottom .
Plant it at the same depth as it was in the original pot , and usefresh soilto rejuvenate the food .
Pruning
There ’s no penury to prune your Dracaena marginata regularly . The bottom leaves will naturally turn yellow and lessen off as new unity form , leaving only the top summit .
If yours is outgrowing its space or has become leggy , you may top it by cut the entire diadem and top part of the stem off .
The top can be rooted to create another industrial plant , and new cane and leaves will grow from the remaining stem .
It ’s also okay to cut back off brownish bakshis or color parting as they come along . Use sharpprecision trimmer , and snip the confidential information at their natural slant to maintain the shape .
Pest Control Tips
levelheaded Madagascar dragon trees seldom have issues with pest . But , from prison term to time mealybugs , graduated table , or spider mites can become a job .
They ’re all easily treatable with natural method like aninsecticidal soap , neem oil color , or by dabbing the bug withrubbing alcohol .
you may also make a homemade insecticidal spray by combining 1 teaspoon ofmild liquidity soapwith 1 cubic decimeter of water .
Madagascar Dragon Tree Propagation Tips
The most common way to propagate a Dracaena marginata is through prow cutting . you’re able to get one , or several , new Tree depending on how much height you remove .
Use a acuate sterile twosome ofheavy obligation clippersor a tongue to remove the top poll and several inches of the cane .
detritus the cut terminate withrooting hormone , and found it in well - draining , light moisten ground . you may also test rooting 3 inch segments of leafless cane firearm .
Troubleshooting Common Dracaena marginata Problems
Dracaena marginata does n’t require much mitt - on care , but over the years you may have an subject or two . Here are my best summit for desexualise the most vernacular 1 .
Leaf Tips Turning Brown
Brown folio tip is easily the most vernacular issue in Dracaena marginata tending , and can be triggered by several things .
Over or under tearing , low humidity , too much fertilizer , and chemical or mineral build up in the soil could all be perpetrator .
reserve the land to dry between waterings , and mist them on occasion if the air is very juiceless . alternate to natural , organic fertilizer rather than synthetic ones , and use distilled or rainwater alternatively of rap .
Dragon Tree Drooping
If your firedrake Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is swag it could be triggered by improper watering , or sunlight and temperature problems .
The soil should dry out between watering , but never to the stop where it ’s pull away from the side of the pot .
High heat or too much direct sun can also make them to flag . Move it away from the window , or provide some shade outside during the hottest , brightest part of the 24-hour interval .
Leaves Falling Off
As they maturate , leaves will occasionally lessen off the bottom of your Madagascar dragon tree , which is nothing to worry about . It ’s a natural part of their life oscillation to pour forth old leafage as fresh one form .
However , if several leaves start fall off , especially from the top of the crown , it can intend your industrial plant is unhealthful . check that you ’re watering by rights , and keep them off from draught : either high heat , or freezing cold-blooded .
FAQs About Dracaena marginata Care
Is Dracaena marginata easy to care for?
Yes , Dracaena marginata is easy to worry for . They do n’t command much tending or pee , and will thrive with a piffling neglect .
Does Dracaena marginata grow fast?
No , Dracaena marginata does not grow fast , particularly in low-spirited swooning indoor configurations . Even with the secure care , it will take several years to get a sizable tree .
How do you make Dracaena marginata grow faster?
you’re able to make Dracaena marginata grow faster with the proper care . Keep it in a bright light scope , water systematically , and fecundate a few times over the springtime and summertime .
How do you know when a dragon tree is dying?
You ’ll recognize a dragon tree diagram is dying when most of the leaves start to yellow and fall off , peculiarly on the top of the tip , or if the stem is subdued or spongelike .
How often should you water a dragon tree?
How often you irrigate a firedrake tree depend on the temperature and light it ’s given . Rather than keeping a set schedule , check the stain every few weeks , and urine deeply when it ’s dry a few in down .
How much light does a dragon tree need?
A tartar tree diagram demand a lot of bright light indoors , or partial to full sun outdoors . They are very large-minded of dissimilar level . However , downhearted light setting will slack their outgrowth and blunt the colour .
Now that you love how gentle Dracaena marginata care is , growing one in your household or role will be a breeze . Just follow these tips , and you ’ll bask yours for many , many yr .
If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plants , then you take myHouseplant Care eBook . It will show you everything you ask to know about how to keep every plant in your home thriving . Download your written matter now !
