The Draco tree , orDracaena marginata , is a plant native to Madagascar and beloved by houseplant enthusiasts everywhere . As a tardily - produce industrial plant , it ’s pure for any indoor space and attend just as beautiful in a home function as it does in a support room ! Dragon Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree grown outdoors can contact up to 20 feet ; however , they ’re much more doable ( and happy ) when pruned and hold back at a maximum of six foot tall .
The green folio of theDracaena marginataare farseeing and pointy , resemble the blade of a sword , and boast a red shade along the bound . astonishingly , the tartar tree diagram is one of many species of succulent / cacti trees , and as suchtheir care is rather standardised .
Adding a dragon tree to your collection
TheDracaena marginatais a unique flora , loved by indoor gardener for its ability to adjust to many different environments . Dragon trees make beautiful potted plants for bright corner of a elbow room or beside an end table , and they ’re even various enough to smarten up up a well - lit bedroom !
They can be grow out of doors in USDA hardiness geographical zone 10 through 12 , but otherwise they thrive in an indoor environment . If you live outside one of the ideal zones , you may still transition your dragon tree to an out-of-door deck , patio , or balcony space during the warmer months ! It will love the sunlight and the warmth while bringing an eye - enchant component to your out-of-door decor .
Are there different varieties of dracaena marginata?
There are three usual varieties of the flying dragon tree that you ’ll find in nurseries : the colorama , the bicolor , and the tricolor .
TheDracaena dracois also colloquially know as a dragon tree , and it ’s often easily confused for themarginatadue to the intimately very appearing . If you do n’t screw which dragon tree you have ( or ca n’t remember ) , the best way to find out is to cut into the folio . If it ’s aDracaena draco , there will be a red rosin that drips out of the stinger .
Caring for your dragon tree
firedrake trees are n’t rottenly high maintenance when it comes to give care , though they may not be a great beginner plant . If you already have a decent houseplant appeal , you should n’t have any trouble see the needs of aDracaena marginataso that itgrows as happy and healthy as possible . They wish spaces between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and moderate humidness levels . In a frigid , dry environment ( like a northerly winter ) , this can be a bit difficult to maintain .
If you hold out somewhere where it cools down during the colder month and you mark your home getting dry , space humidifiers will be your best friend . you could also prove collect your houseplants into one area to increase the innate humidity , or place your firedrake tree near a shallow tray of pebbles occupy with piddle . Some home gardener will even give their Draco tree a luminosity befog every few days .
Light needs : Thrives in bright Light Within ; tolerates partial shadeWater demand : Water regularly , waiting until the top one-half of the soil is dry to water again ; relatively drought - tolerantSoil needs : Loose , well - draining potting mix
Do you need to prune a dragon tree?
Like all houseplants , theDracaena marginatawill be all the more glad with regular pruning . Dragon tree are hump to self - shed dead leaves , so do n’t worry if you see a few one-time ones accrue to the ground every now and then . If you want to keep it looking its healthiest , you’re able to always take a pair of sterilized shears or scissor grip to cut the pass foliage off , which will also permit your dragon tree direct energy and nutrients toward sound leaves and new increase .
Pruning is also a great way to help a plant maintain a hope shape and size . Because the dragon tree diagram can grow up to six foot indoors , you may be wonder what you’re able to do to keep it smaller if you need it as a tabletop plant or you live in a smaller infinite where that size of it plant ca n’t be accommodated . utilise your desexualize span of shear or scissors to keep the maturation under command , and your dragon Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree will stay nice and small .
Common problems to look out for (and how to solve them!)
unluckily , dragon trees are n’t immune to indoor cuss . They ’re most susceptible to mealybugs , scale of measurement , and thrips , as well as the ever - dread spider mite . Each pestilence comes with its own problems , with the most difficult being that you often wo n’t see the spider hint until damage has been done .
The good news , though , is that if you take hold of the infestation ahead of time enough , there ’s still trust for saving the flora ! If there are only a few hemipteran , you may be able to just pick them off by script , dispose of them , and wipe down the leafage gently with a damp fabric ; however , in more serious case , you ’ll want to adjudicate using an insecticidal soap . Every kind is different , so ensure you have one that ’s approved for indoor plants ( and ideally for dragon Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ) and that you come after the directions on the bottleful to avoid any untoward effects .
The best way to propagate your dragon tree
firedrake Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can be propagated by root stem cuttings either in soil or in water — all you need is a decent - sized plant ! Using a pair of desex shear or scissor hold ( or a hori hori knife ) , retrieve a stem that has at least eight inches of growing and make a snub . Get a pot of overbold potting soil , place the cut terminate directly into the mix , and put the pot in a strong expanse with bright , collateral inflammation . film editing should take about three calendar week to sprout roots .
With chance , you ’ll be able to give your new cuttings to friends and family as holiday natural endowment , natal day gifts , and housewarming present tense ! ( Or you’re able to just keep them for yourself , we wo n’t tell . )
