How to grow Dracaena Marginata I Dragon Tree

#DracaenaMarginata #DragonTree

How to grow Dracaena Marginata
Dracaena Marginata, more commonly known as a dragon tree, is an attractive, stiff-leaved plant with green sword-like, red-edged leaves. The plant has narrow, slender gray stems that are topped with shiny, arching leaves. In the spring, the outdoor varieties can develop tiny and fragrant white flowers, followed by circular yellow-orange berries. When grown as an indoor plant, flowers and berries rarely appear. These plants are perfect for a beginner gardener because they're very easy to grow indoors.
This small tree will grow to about 20 feet in warm outdoor climates, but it is generally grown as a potted houseplant and kept pruned to 6 feet or less. Unlike many indoor trees, it tolerates a wide range of temperatures.
Dragon trees are tough, drought-tolerant plants with aggressive root systems that make excellent houseplants. Sometimes they are grown as single-stemmed plants; other times grouped or even braided together in the same pot.

How to Grow a Dragon Tree
Thanks to its tolerance for a wide range of temperatures, Dracaena is very popular as a large potted plant for homes and offices. It should be planted in a loamy, well-draining soil amended with peat moss and watered regularly during the growing season. Best exposure will be a location with lots of indirect light; it will tolerate shadier locations but the leaves will lose some of their color. They are listed by NASA as an excellent plant for removing harmful chemicals from the air. Watering should be slightly restricted during the winter.

Light
Dragon trees grow best in bright light but they can also survive in dim light. Plants in lower light situations will grow slower and will produce smaller leaves with less intense color. Don't place your dragon tree in full sun because the foliage might burn.

Soil Type
When growing as a potted plant, use loose, well-drained potting mix—loamy soil amended with peat moss is ideal. Make sure the container has room for the extensive root system. Some varieties are imported from Hawaii and will arrive with lava rock. If this is the case, remove about 1/3 of the soil and replace it with potting soil.

Water
It's easy to over-water this plant. To ensure that you don't drown it, wait until the top half of the soil is dry before watering. In low light, this can take up to 3 weeks. If the plant develops brown tips on the leaves, that is often a sign of over-watering or the water contains too much salt or fluoride. Like other plants in its genus, Dracaena Marginata is sensitive to fluoride, which can cause discoloration. To avoid fluoride, water dragon tree with distilled or non-fluoridated water. If the plant has yellow leaves, it usually means it needs more water.

Temperature and Humidity
Dragon trees prefer temperatures between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Regular household humidity should be fine for them. If your house is particularly dry, consider a light misting from a spray bottle.

Fertilizer
Dragon trees have a relatively low need for fertilizer. Feed them lightly at the beginning of spring or twice a year with controlled-release fertilizer. Do not fertilize in the winter.

Potting and Repotting
Repot your dragon tree into larger pots as necessary. Because these trees grow so slowly, they generally require repotting only every second or even third year. Refresh potting soil annually with fresh soil to replace any that has become compacted.

Propagating Dragon Trees
Dracaena Marginata roots easily from stem cuttings rooted in water—so easily that it’s often used in dish gardens and readily propagated by nurseries and retailers. It takes about three weeks for the cutting to sprout roots, and using a rooting hormone isn’t necessary. Dragon tree cuttings can make a thoughtful housewarming gift and using cuttings from your own plant is a personalized touch.

Varieties of Dragon Tree
Although there are several varieties, the most commonly found at plant stores include:
Dracaena Marginata 'Tricolor' has dark red margins, green leaves, and an ivory stripe down the leaf center.

- Marginata 'Colorama' might appear to be completely pink but it is variegated with white and green stripes. This variety requires very bright light to keep its color.
- Marginata 'Bicolor' has red and green stripes.
- Marginata is the basic form with dark green leaves and thin red leaf margins.

Toxicity of Dracaena Marginata
Beautiful as it is, the plant is also poisonous. While it's not harmful to humans, the leaves are extremely toxic to cats and dogs. Cats, in particular, seem fond of chewing on the leaves, which contain toxic alkyds.


instagram.com/mudaplants
facebook.com/Mudaplants
etsy.com/shop/MudaPlants
youtu.be/W2NaPJNPB3w
youtube.com/@MudaPlants