You are reading this article to learn more about the Dracaena marginata and its care. If you are looking for a plant that offers an Asian, classic, and architectural look, the Dragon tree plant is for you.
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Dracaena marginata
The Dracaena marginata is called the ‘Madagascar Dragon Tree’ according to the University of Florida. It belongs to the Dracaena group of plants, and its name is inspired by its close relative, the Dracaena Draco.
The Dracaena plant group has over 120 species.
The Dragon tree removes toxins and chemicals from the air.
The Marginata plant is an excellent choice for beginners. It is easy to care for and fairly disease-resistant. The Dragon Tree grows cane or trunk as a houseplant.
Dracaena marginata Takeaways
| Species | Dracaena marginata |
| Synonyms | Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia, Dragon Tree "Marginata", Dragon tree |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Dracaena |
| Growth | Upright, columnar |
| Height | 6 feet |
| Width | 2 feet) |
| Soil | Well-draining soil mix |
| Watering | Every 7-14 days |
| Light | Bright indirect |
| Temperature | 60-80 °F (16-27 °C) |
| Humidity | 60-80% |
| Fertilizer | Fertilize monthly in spring and summer |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains Saponins |
Dracaena marginata Care
To care for Dracaena marginata, provide well-draining soil and bright indirect light. Water weekly to by-weekly once the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry (5-7.5cm). Provide a temperature between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 27 Celsius). The ideal humidity is 60-80%. Fertilize every 3-4 weeks in spring and summer and reduce fertilization in autumn and winter.
Dracaena marginata Growing Guide
Soil
The Dracaena marginata plant likes well-draining and airy soil consisting of loam amended with peat moss.
The Dragon Tree plant prefers a pH of 6 to 7 (slightly acidic to neutral). If your Dracaena marginata plant soil’s pH drops too low or rises excessively, the plant can react adversely and shed all its leaves.
The marginata plant has an extensive root system. Therefore, when grown as an indoor plant, ensure that its container has good drainage by using drainage holes and is large enough to hold its roots comfortably.
Some varieties of the beautiful Dracaena marginata imported from Hawaii may even arrive with lava rock.
You should remove approximately one-third of the lava rock for such plants and replace this with the loamy potting mix.
Water
Water weekly to by-weekly once the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry (5.0-7.5cm).
Dracaena marginata though highly disease and drought-resistant, is sensitive to over and under-watering. Therefore, maintaining a balance between these extremes is imperative for the Dragon Tree plant’s healthy development.
Ideally, water the Dracaena marginata plant, then wait till the top half of the soil is dry. The plant’s surroundings have a considerable impact on its watering schedule. However, the soil’s top half usually dries off in 3 weeks in low light.
Nurture the Dracaena Marginata plant and maintain it with this watering pattern. Due to the plant’s water sensitivity, preferably water it with lukewarm water.
If you see the Dracaena marginata plant’s leaves turning yellow, it is thirsty. Therefore, immediately water your plant.
On the contrary, if you see the Dracaena marginata plant developing brown leaf edges, your plant is overwatered. Therefore, dry off the plant’s roots and withhold watering till its top 2 to 3 inches are dry again.
One of the main mistakes many Dracaena marginata plant owners make is watering their plants with fluoride-containing water.
Always be sure that your water does not contain any fluoride before pouring it over your Marginata plant. Ideally, use distilled water.
Light
Dracaena Marginata prefers bright indirect, filtered sunlight. Its leaves form a luscious green color when placed in the preferred light and even develop delicate white flowers in the summertime. The Madagascar Dragon Tree plant can also grow in dim light; however, its leaves usually lose their vibrant color to some extent.
Placing the Dracaena marginata plant in partially-shaded areas, such as in front of an east or south-facing window or a tinted balcony door, will result in healthier growth and development of fresh flowers.
I suggest keeping your Dracaena marginata plant away from direct, harsh sun rays; they will likely burn its leaves. Unfortunately, the damage may be irreversible.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for the Dracaena marginata plant is 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 27 Celsius). Most households already fall within this temperature range; therefore, going above and beyond to establish the preferred environment is not required.
The Dracaena marginata plant is fairly light-sensitive; therefore, please bring your plant inside during the peak sun hours if you have placed it outside.
Similarly, if it is too cold for the Dracaena marginata plant, place it inside to protect it from any temperature fluctuations. The USDA hardiness zones are 10 to 12.
Humidity
In its natural habitat, the Dracaena marginata plant thrives in high humidity. However, fortunately, the plant can also thrive considerably well in normal household humidity. Due to its resistant nature, it can adapt relatively well to humidity ranging from 40% to 80%.
Even when placed in 30% to 60% humidity, the usual environment moisture level, the Dracaena marginata plant thrives. When you see signs such as healthy-looking leaves, you can tell the humidity levels meet the plant’s requirements.
However, if your Dracaena Marginata plant looks dull or leggy, I recommend you check your house’s humidity levels. The Dragon Tree plant often loses its turgidity when placed in dry surroundings.
To check if your house is too dry, buy a moisture meter that accurately measures humidity levels. If your moisture is too low, get on a humidifier and place it in the same room as the Dracaena marginata plant.
Those on a limited budget can place the plant on a tray with pebbles and water, with the water reaching just below the plant. Alternatively, you can mist your Dracaena marginata plant’s surroundings.
Fertilizer
Fertilize every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer and revert to fertilizing by-monthly in autumn and winter.
For a sturdy and disease-resistant plant, you might think that it has large feeding needs. However, it is the opposite; the Dracaena marginata plant has a small appetite and does not need to be fertilized often.
Ideally, the Dracaena marginata plant should be fed at the beginning of the growing season in spring and then again in summer. It can also be fed right at the start of spring. Fertilizing the Dracaena Marginata plant during the winter is not essential since it does not actively grow in the cooler months.
The perfect fertilizer type for the Dracaena marginata plant is slow-release fertilizer. The controlled-release fertilizer decreases the probability of toxicity and aids in gradual efficient absorption.
I also advise buying a fertilizer containing nitrogen and phosphorous in equal halves. The phosphorous encourages blooms, while the nitrogen helps the plant’s leaves grow.
The Dragon Tree plant is usually fertilized twice yearly with controlled fertilizer. However, in the case of instant-release fertilizer, fertilizing twice or thrice a week is sufficient.
You should apply the slow-release fertilizer to moist roots, preferably. Applying fertilizer to damp soil ensures efficient absorption and prevents the accumulation of excess salts.
Repotting
The Dracaena marginata plant needs to be repotted every two to three years. Since its roots are considerably large, you may need a bigger pot.
The Dracaena marginata plant has an extensive root system; therefore, its roots can usually occupy a lot of space. The Marginata plant’s roots grow gradually, giving the plant plenty of time to repot it.
Please remember that the Dracaena marginata plant does not do well if grown in a fully-packed space. Therefore, repot it in a container that has good drainage and aeration.
The Dracaena marginata plant is an ornamental plant mostly grown for decorative purposes. Therefore, I suggest you get a plain white pot for your Dragon Tree plant so that its vibrant green leaves and attractive white flowers in a delicate white container make an eye-catching sight.
Moreover, if you receive your Dracaena marginata plant from Hawaii in lava rock, it replaces one-third of its soil with the plant’s ideal loamy soil lox before potting.
Remember to clean all your gardening tools before using them on the plant.
Pruning
The Dracaena marginata plant does not grow massive within a few days; however, it does reach the ceiling at one point, if not pruned. Most plants, including the Dragon Tree, look less attractive if not pruned occasionally.
There is no definite time to prune your Dracaena marginata plant; cut off a vine or two whenever you think it is outgrowing the given space or the vines seem uneven. However, summer or spring is ideal for cutting the Dracaena Marginata plant. Avoid pruning during winter and fall, as the plant becomes dormant.
Surprisingly, the beautiful Dracaena marginata plant develops better when regularly pruned. Its leaves generally grow healthier, and the vines appear stronger. Pruning from time to time also promotes new growth.
I recommend disinfecting your pruning shears before using them on your Dracaena marginata plant. You can use plant specific-alcohol for cleaning the gardening tools.
Propagation
The Dracaena Marginata plant grows reasonably well from stem cuttings rooted in water. The Dragon Tree’s propagation is so easy that it is often grown in dish gardens.
To grow a Marginata plantlet, you need a mature Dracaena Marginata plant, water, fertilizer, and a pot.
Stem Cuttings Method
- Please start by cleaning all your gardening tools. This will decrease the spread of any possible bacterial infections.
- Next, select a mature Dracaena marginata plant and cut off 2 to 3 vines.
- Choose one of the cut vines. Ideally, pick the stem with two or more nodes at the lower end.
- After that, take your soil mix and fill a pot with it. Cover this pot with a plastic bottle.
- Plant the Marginata vines in the soil mix.
- You can also add rooting powder to this mix. However, it is unnecessary as the Dracaena Marginata plant grows considerably well, even on its own.
- In the end, add water and fertilizer to the Marginata plant’s soil.
Even without rooting hormone, the Dracaena marginata plant usually sprouts roots within three weeks. The young Dragon Tree plant makes a wonderful housewarming gift.
Blooms
The Dracaena marginata plant creates beautiful tiny white flowers that fragrance pleasantly. The plant also forms circular yellow-orange berries. However, usually, when grown indoors, the flowers and berries do not appear.
The flowers are of various sizes but are overall small. Additionally, they only appear in the summertime.
Growth
The Madagascar Dragon Tree is an attractive plant that reaches about 20 feet (6m) and spreads as far as 10 feet (3m). Most owners prune it to approximately 6 feet (1.8m).
The plant has slender grayish stems with green pointy sword-like leaves and red edges. The leaves have a shiny texture and usually form an arch. The leaves are about 2 feet (0.6m) long and half an inch wide.
Dracaena marginata Varieties
In addition to the original Dragon Tree plant, three more varieties are available in the market:
Dracaena marginata Colorama is a modern reddish-pink cultivar with tricolored leaves. The red color on the outer margins of the leaves is very prominent.
Dracaena marginata Tricolor produces leaves in beautiful red, yellow, and green shades. This cultivar has a golden touch to its appearance.
Dracaena marginata Tarzan – this variety has thick, green leaves wider than the original version.
Common Problems for Dracaena Marginata
Yellow Leaves
Most plants’ leaves turn yellow when they are overwatered. However, the Dracaena marginata plant’s case is the complete opposite. The plant’s leaves turn yellow when it is underwatered.
Please water your Marginata plant when its leaves begin to turn yellow.
Keep a close eye on the Dracaena marginata plant’s overall condition and ensure you do not overwater the plant.
Brown Leaf-tips
The Dracaena marginata plant usually forms brownish leaf tips when given insufficient water. The Dragon Tree is a non-fussy plant but is quite sensitive regarding its watering needs.
If your Dracaena marginata plant has brown leaf tips, please refrain from watering it till its soil’s top 1 to 2 inches dry out. Furthermore, please use fluoride-free room-temperature water.
Pests
The Dracaena marginata plant is a fairly disease-resistant plant. However, it may be infected by pests such as mealybugs and spider mites occasionally.
One can identify a Mealybugs infection easily as they often leave sticky, cotton deposits on plants. Similarly, spider mites may attack the Dracaena marginata plant when the temperature rises.
Unfortunately, unlike mealybugs, spider mites are noticed when they have already caused massive damage.
To get rid of them, spray your Dracaena marginata plant with a disinfectant spray or remove the diseased vines, if necessary.
Tips for Growing Dracaena marginata
- Do not place the plant in temperatures below 65 Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).
- Cut off any yellow leaves or brown vines, especially if infected.
- Monitor the plant for signs of overwatering and under-watering. Change the watering schedule as necessary.
- Protect the plant from direct sun rays; place it in bright, dappled sunlight.
- Preferably, use a slow-release fertilizer.
- Grow the plant in well-draining and well-aerated soils.
Dracaena marginata Toxicity
The Madagascar Dragon Tree is not poisonous to humans but is highly toxic for pets. Therefore, admire this beauty from afar.
Related: Mass Can Plant Growing
Frequently Asked Questions about Dracaena marginata
Are Dracaena marginata plants poisonous?
The Dracaena marginata plants are highly toxic for animals, such as cats and dogs, but they are non-toxic to humans. However, it is best to keep it as a decorative plant and not ingest it.
How long does a Dracaena marginata plant take to grow?
The Dracaena marginata plant is a slow grower. Therefore, when placed in a favorable environment, it usually reaches 5 to 6 feet in about ten years.
How long does a Dracaena marginata plant live?
There is no definite lifetime period for a Dracaena marginata plant. However, when placed indoors, most houseplants live for about 2 to 3 years.
Conclusion About Dracaena marginata Care
The care for Dracaena marginata:
- Provide well-draining soil
- Bright indirect light
- Water weekly once the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry (5-7.5cm)
- Temperature between 70-80°F (21-27°C)
- The ideal humidity is 60% to 80%
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.