Plant care library / Dracaena Marginata

How to Care for Dracaena Marginata

Shop this plantDracaena Marginata

About Dracaena Marginata

The mystical Madagascar Dracaena Marginata, also known as Dragon Tree, got its name from an ancient legend where Hercules conquered the 100-headed dragon at the gates of the Garden of Hesperides. Legend goes that Dragon Trees grew anywhere where the dragon’s blood spilled. As Dragon Tree grows tall, the trunk becomes bare as bottom leaves shed in order to direct energy for new growth on top, giving it its indoor tree-like feel. Its eye-catching sword-like leaves are edged with fiery red streaks.

Other common names

  • Dragon Tree
  • Madagascar Dragon Tree
  • Dragon Plant

How Often Should I Water My Dracaena Marginata

With easyplant, watering your Dracaena Marginata is simple. Make sure to check the easyplant reservoir once a month and fill it when empty, and you're all set!

Water every 1 Month
Without an easyplant pot, you need to be careful not to overwater or underwater your Dracaena Marginata. This plant is especially drought-tolerant, which means you need to be extra cautious about overwatering. To ensure you don't drown your Dracaena Marginata, wait until the top half of the soil feels dry before watering (this can take several weeks). If the tip of its leaves start to turn brown, that’s typically a sign that it's either receiving too much water or that the water it's receiving has too much salt or fluoride. To avoid the latter, be sure to water your Dracaena Marginata with distilled or filtered water.

Dracaena Marginata Light Needs

Dracaena Marginata grows best in a space with bright direct light, where the sunlight streams inside directly, and can also adapt to spaces with bright indirect light, where the sun rays are diffused. Avoid placing it in spaces with low light or spaces without natural sunlight.

While Dracaena Marginata plants can thrive in a variety of light conditions, they do best with indirect bright light. They grow best in bright light but can also survive in partial shade. That being said, remember that when kept in lower light conditions, it will grow even slower and produce smaller leaves with less vibrant colors. For a closer look at the essentials of plant lighting, consult our in-depth guide.

Light requirement ab

Dracaena Marginata Plant Care

If you’re looking for an easy plant to care for, you’ve come to the right place. The Dracaena Marginata is drought-tolerant, meaning it can manage with very little water, and it’s nearly indestructible. On your Dracaena Marginata’s first few days at home, it may lose several leaves, or leaves may turn yellow. This is no reason for concern. Simple shake off or cut the leaf, and look forward to new and better adjusted leaves to grow. To help it grow optimally and evenly, occasionally dust the leaves and rotate the pot by a ¼ turn once a month. To maintain its aesthetic shape and height, you may periodically prune it to your liking.

How Big Do Dracaena Marginata Plants Grow?

Dracaena Marginata can grow up to six feet tall indoors. As it evolves throughout the year, it will drop a few lower leaves, which will either shed or turn yellow, and be replaced by newer leaves on top. While both strong and powerful, Dracaena Marginata are actually very slow-growers and are best raised by patient souls. It can take a decade for the plant to reach just a few feet tall and 15 years to mature and flower. At this point however, it will start to grow stout, upright arms in a magnificent umbrella shape that makes it all worth the wait.

Temperature & Humidity

Knowing the right temperature and humidity for your houseplants is key to keeping them healthy. Dracaena Marginata plants prefer warmer temperatures, between 70°F and 80°F (21°F – 26°F). While regular household humidity should be just fine for them, If the indoor space is particularly dry, consider grouping a few plants together or using a pebble tray to maintain a more humid microclimate around the plant.

Are Dracaena Marginata Toxic for Pets & Kids?

While not considered toxic for humans, the Dracaena Marginata can be extremely toxic for pets, so be sure to keep them away from curious furry friends. Additionally, with people, especially children, it’s important to be cautious because even non-toxic plants can still cause certain unwanted reactions.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with Dracaena Marginata

The Dracaena Marginata is fairly disease-resistant and easy to care for. If you water it properly and keep it out of direct sunlight, you shouldn’t have too many issues. However, if you notice the leaves beginning to lose their color, relocate the pot to a more brightly lit location. Additionally, if the leaves start to become brown or dry, relocate the pot to a more indirectly lit location. If you happen to see spots or dry stems, it may be a sign of pests, so make it a habit to regularly wipe off the leaves with any specks of dust and secretions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dracaena Marginata Plant

  • How big will my Dracaena Marginata plant grow?
    Open How big will my Dracaena Marginata plant grow?
    The Dracaena Marginata grows very slowly. In optimal conditions, it can reach up to 10 feet tall.
  • Does Dracaena Marginata need much light?
    Open Does Dracaena Marginata need much light?
    While the Dracaena Marginata grows best in bright light, it can also survive in partial shade. Just know that it will grow slower and produce smaller leaves with less vibrant colors.
  • Is Dracaena Marginata toxic to cats?
    Open Is Dracaena Marginata toxic to cats?
    Yes, the Dracaena Marginata can be highly toxic for cats, so be sure to keep these beauties out of reach.
  • How do you care for Dracaena Marginata?
    Open How do you care for Dracaena Marginata?
    The Dracaena Marginata is a low maintenance plant that can thrive for years. Though it can live in a variety of light conditions, the plant does best with indirect bright light. Be sure to occasionally dust the leaves and rotate the pot by a ¼ turn once a month.
  • Is Dracaena Marginata an indoor or outdoor plant?
    Open Is Dracaena Marginata an indoor or outdoor plant?
    This Dracaena marginata can grow up to 20 feet in warm outdoor climates, but it is generally grown as a potted houseplant, where it can reach up to 6 feet.
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