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Dragon tree care
Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia · Asparagaceae
Also called Dracaena marginata, Madagascar dragon tree, Red-edged dracaena.
A slender shrub from Madagascar and nearby Indian Ocean islands, sold almost everywhere as Dracaena marginata. Thin grey stems end in tufts of narrow, arching leaves edged in red. It grows slowly, tolerates dim corners, and can be pruned or trained into bent and braided shapes.
Light
Bright IndirectWatering
WeeklyDifficulty
EasyPets
Toxic to cats and dogsHeight indoors
1-2 m
Growth
Slow
TemperatureUnconfirmed
16-27 °C
Not below 13 °C
Humidity
40% - 60%
Average room humidity
Soil pH
6.0-6.5
Slightly acidic soil
Native to
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Réunion
- Seychelles
- Comoros
- British Indian Ocean Territory
Through the year
Water thoroughly once the top of the soil is dry to the touch, without letting it dry out completely. Water less from autumn to late winter.
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Spring
WeeklyPrune leggy stems, repot if crowded and start feeding.
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Summer
WeeklyWater when the surface dries and keep it out of strong direct sun.
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Autumn
Every 2 weeksStop feeding and let the soil dry a bit more.
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Winter
Every 2 weeksKeep it away from cold drafts and water sparingly.
Feeding
Every 4 weeks in spring and summer. Liquid foliage plant fertilizer. Avoid products with superphosphate, which often carries fluoride.
Care tips
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Use low-fluoride water
Rain or filtered water keeps the leaf tips from browning.
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Cut back tall plants
Remove the top of a leggy stem; the stump usually sprouts two or more new heads.
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Root the tops
The cut crown roots in water or moist mix.
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Keep the pH steady
A potting mix between pH 6.0 and 6.5 limits fluoride damage.
Common problems
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Brown leaf tips
What you seeTips and edges of the leaves turn brown or yellow.
What to doWater with rain or filtered water, since fluoride in tap water damages the leaves, and avoid overfeeding.
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Sudden leaf loss
What you seeMany leaves drop at once.
What to doLook for drafts, a recent temperature swing or soggy soil, and correct the cause.
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Spider mites
What you seePale speckles on the leaves and fine webbing in the leaf tufts.
What to doShower the plant and treat with insecticidal soap until the mites are gone.
Pets
Is dragon tree safe for cats and dogs?
Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains saponins; eating it causes vomiting, drooling and loss of appetite, and dilated pupils in cats.
Good to know
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As the lower leaves fall they leave diamond-shaped scars on the stem.
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Dracaena comes from the Greek word for a female dragon.
