How to grow Dracaena

Dracaena marginata · Madagascar dragon tree, dragon plant

Long-lived evergreen houseplant with tufts of narrow, red-edged leaves on slender, upright stems. Easy-going and tolerant of lower light.

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Family	Asparagaceae
Light	Partial shade
Soil pH	6–6.5
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Soil for sowing	from 16 °C
Where it grows	At home

When to plant

Sow straight into the bed after your last spring frost, once the soil has warmed.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 10 days	18…30 °C	balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 44 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 74 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 104 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 134 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 164 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 194 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 21 days	16…21 °C	—

Growing notes

Light

Bright, indirect light, such as an east- or west-facing window. It tolerates lower light but grows more slowly; direct summer sun can scorch the leaves.

Soil

Loose, fast-draining, slightly acidic potting compost, pH 6.0–6.5. Avoid mixes with a lot of perlite, which can release fluoride.

Care

Water only when the top 5 cm of compost is dry and never leave the pot in water, or the roots rot. It is very sensitive to fluoride, which browns the leaf tips, so use rainwater or filtered water at room temperature. Keep it at 18–30 °C, away from draughts and radiators; it likes humid air, and very dry air also browns the tips. Feed monthly with a general liquid houseplant fertiliser from April to October, without overfeeding and avoiding superphosphate. Repot every two to three years into a pot one size larger. Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).

Pests and diseases of Dracaena

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.