How to look after a Dragon Tree Indoors
If you are someone who loves spending time indoors, then a dragon tree is definitely the plant for you. These beautiful plants can be kept indoors in most climates, and they make great additions to any room. However, like any other plant, dragon trees need some care and attention in order to thrive. In this article, we will discuss how to prune a dragon tree indoors.
What is a dragon tree
Dracaena marginata, aka Madagascar Dragon Tree, is a plant that’s easy to grow and pretty hard to kill. It’s from the Asparagaceae family which is divided into about 189 species and is a related cousin of Dracaena Draco. They mainly come from African and Asian regions except for Madagascar, parts of Australia and South America. It has leaves that look like swords with spiky red fringes. One thing you’ll notice about outdoor Dragon Trees compared to growing them indoors is their small white flowers and orange-yellow berries in springtime. Sadly most indoor plants often don’t flower at all but that doesn’t stop them looking beautiful.
Dragon trees can grow to heights ranging from six feet to 70 feet, often living hundreds or even thousands of years. These plants are usually kept at a height equivalent to six feet and pruned when they grow further. If you are tight on space then there’s a number of dwarf species available such as the Dracaena deremensis, known as the pineapple dracaena. While there are 189 species the dragon tree also has 100 variations. These variations include plants such as the Dracaena marginata or Madagascar Dragon Tree, which features long yet spine-like green leaves with red beautiful edges; and the Dracaena Draco, which is a two-foot-long Dracaena with jagged blue-green leaves. Dracaena fragrans, or Massange’s dracaena which has lush green leaves and cream coloured streaks running down the leaf system.
One thing that makes Dragon Tree plants perfect for a beginner is their tough root systems, which make them difficult to kill.
How to look after a Dragon Tree Indoors
If you live in a climate where it is not possible to grow a dragon tree outdoors, then you might want to consider growing one indoors. Dragon trees are hardy plants that can stand up to a lot of neglect; all you need is some sunlight and regular watering. If you decide to grow your own dragon tree, be sure to read our guide below on how to look after a dragon tree indoors so that it will thrive and give you years of beautiful foliage.
Location
Dracaena need indirect sunlight to thrive. Dracaena plants cannot withstand direct sunlight because it will scorch the leaves. It’s best for Dracaena to be grown in a bathroom or kitchen; the humidity helps maintain their health. You can also grow Dracaena indoors with filtered, bright light so placing them in a room with the curtains filtering the light also works extremely well. Dracaena can also survive with very low light, it will just grow a little slower.
Humidity & Temperature
When it comes to Humidity and temperature when caring for your Dragon Tree, its very simple. The plant can survive a range of temperatures and humidity, it’s a true beginner friendly plant. The Dragon tree prefers higher humidity with temperatures in the range of 21c – 26c. The plant will struggle with temperatures below 12c so keep an eye on it during the winter months and keep the plant away from any cold drafts.
If you notice your dragon tree’s leaves are turning brown, this could be a sign that your indoor or outdoor space is too dry. Adding other plants to help buffer the environment, or moving them to a humid, warm location like a bathroom window, can help.
You can also increase humidity, by placing your plant’s on a tray of water with a layer of pebbles going under the water. The water will evaporate and then create a humid atmosphere in which your plants will enjoy.
Watering
The Dragon Tree is a popular, low maintenance indoor plant. If the topsoil is dry or not wet enough, your plants will need to be watered. With its roots tucked tightly into an airy pot, the Dragon Tree uses less water than other indoor plants but still will require mistings to keep the leaves hydrated. As a rule of thumb you should look at watering your dragon plants once per week and misting every few days. You can test the soil by pushing a finger into the topsoil. If the soil feels dry at an inch into the pot then the plant needs water.
One of the most common errors people make when it comes to watering plants is overwatering or underwatering. If you look at your Dragon tree and the leaves can become brown or drooping this is an indication that the plant is getting overwatered. If the plant shows more yellow leaves then this means the plant is lacking hydration and requires watering more often.
Another common problem when looking after a dragon tree is If the leaves of your Dragon Tree turn a dark brown with faint yellow edges. This is an indication that you may need to change the quality of water reaching it. In the UK tap water contains fluoride which can harm the dragon tree, you can fix this problem by using rain water or filtering the tap water.
Light
Dragon Tree Plants like any other plant require sunlight in order to survive so it’s vital to ensure they have enough light. Naturally, a Dragon Tree will thrive in low light, but grow best if they are grown in filtered, bright light. Using lower lights on a Dragon Tree will make them grow slower and produce smaller, less vibrant leaves. You should never place your plant under direct sunlight because the heat can be damaging.
If the leaves of your Dragon Tree are pale, slow to grow, or produce small new leaves, this could mean that it’s not getting enough light, changing the location of the plant will fix this issue.
Compost / Soil
Planting a dragon tree in the ground takes time and effort, but if you choose the right potting mix, the plant will thrive and grow. For optimal performance, use a mixture of soil that is well draining and mix it with peat moss. The container that you choose should have enough room for the long root system needed by a dragon tree.
Food
Incorporating fertilizer into the Dragon Tree is not necessary for its healthy growth, but to help it maximize its potential it is advised that you use it. In order to feed your Dragon Tree, give it water-soluble fertilizer in the spring and summer, diluting it at 50% strength. In the fall and winter, stop giving it fertilizer. You can also use a ready made houseplant fertilizer such as Growlands House Plant Food, our house plant food has been scientifically researched to ensure the plants get all the correct nutrients and micronutrients that leads to enhanced growth. Growlands Plant food is an organic fertilizer procured and developed in the UK using liquid seaweed extracts and added nutrients, best of all our all round fertilizer works on the bulk of house plants including the Dragon Tree!
Toxicity
A question we get asked alot is “Are Dragon trees toxic to cats and dogs?” Sadly these beautiful plants are toxic to both cats and dogs. The Dragon Tree contains steroidal saponins, which are known to cause oral pain and stomach irritation in cats and dogs. So make sure to keep the plants away from cats and dogs.
Propagation
Propagation of the popular Dracaena tree is relatively simple and straightforward. You can grow a variety of dragon tree using stem cuttings all year around however, the success rate is higher when propagating during the spring or summer months, when there’s more light and heat.
To propagate a dragon plant with multiple branches, simply cut any tip of the stem away from the parent plant. You will want to cut roughly 8cm above the node. Once you have made the cut remove a third of the lower leaves and place them in a jar of water and place it on a windowsill. Refresh the water regularly and roots will eventually appear over a few weeks time. Potting in new soil let’s you grow both new stems and leaves from your plant!