how to care for a dragon tree

Dracaena benefit from bright, indirect light. If given too much sun, leaves are at risk of scorch. It's a good idea to grow them in a bathroom or kitchen for humidity. Dragon plants prefer underwatering to overwatering, so let the top few centimetres of soil dry out – test with your finger – before watering again.

How often should you water a dragon tree?

Water. Let your Dragon Tree dry out between waterings. Water thoroughly when topsoil is dry, usually once a week. Avoid overwatering, and note that your watering schedule may be less frequent during winter months.

Why is my dragon tree dying?

The most likely causes of a Madagascar Dragon Tree dying are overwatering and insufficient lighting. Underwatering, excess light, fertilizer problems, overpotting, low humidity, pests, or disease can also cause problems. Identifying the issue will help you restore your plant to health.

Why are the tips of my dragon tree turning brown?

The most common cause of browning leaf tips among Dracaena plants is under-watering, or allowing your Dracaena to sit dry for extended periods of time. Water your Dracaena when the top 75% of the soil in the pot is dry. Soil should never be soggy or wet.

Does Dracaena need sunlight?

Growing conditions: Dracaena prefers bright, indirect light; it tolerates dimmer light, but growth slows as a result. The plant grows well with standard indoor potting soil and average house temps and humidity.

How long do dragon trees live?

How Long Do Dragon Trees Live? The plant's lifespan is not precisely known, but we do know that they can live for centuries. A close relative of the Dracaena marginata, a Dracaena draco growing on the island of Tenerife is estimated to be nearly 300 years old.

How do you care for an indoor dragon tree?

How to Care for a Dragon Tree Recap

Moderate Light Suitable plant for semi bright locations.
Moderate Watering Once or twice a week in Summer and once every two weeks in Winter.
Temperature Average indoor room temperatures. Never lower than 10°C (50°F)
Feeding Fertilise on a regular basis. None in Winter.

How do you revive a dragon tree?

You can restore the look of the leaves by moving your plant into an area that receives strong indirect sunlight for most of the day. Moreover, you might need to change the water regimen, only watering your plant when the soil is thoroughly dry.

Can I cut back my dragon tree?

Prune back stems to encourage denser growth. Dragon trees are apical dominant, which means they use most of their energy to induce growth at the tip of a stem. ... Pruning back the stem to where you want new growth to form will result in two stems forming at the cut.

How do I revive Dracaena?

To repot Dracaena plant, carefully remove the plant from the pot it is in and brushes off excess soil from the roots. Now inspect the roots to check for rotting. If you notice black soggy roots cut them off. You can then place the plant in a new pot with a fresh parch of potting mix.

Should I cut brown tips off Dracaena?

Trim off brown leaf tips or spots with clean shears. Cut off only the damaged tips or spots leaving a tiny margin of brown so not to damage the remaining healthy foliage on the plant. 2. If the entire leaf has turned brown, remove individual leaves at their base.

Should I cut brown tips off plant?

When you see dead leaves, dormant stems, or brown parts of leaves, cut them away. It's fine to pluck dead leaves or stems with your hands when possible, just don't pull too hard or you may damage the healthy part of your plant. For tougher stems or to remove brown leaf tips and edges, use scissors or pruning shears.

Should you mist Dracaena?

Dracaena Care Tips. ... Water: Dracaena require less water than most indoor plants. Keep them hydrated by misting the leaves with water and keeping the soil lightly misted (never soggy) as well with good drainage. Always allow the top soil to dry out before watering.

Do Dracaena like coffee grounds?

Potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus are the most important substances that this plant absolutely needs. Without these nutrients, these plants do not grow as desired or show the undersupply of brown leaves. Even a pale leaf color or white spots indicate this deficiency. A natural fertilizer is a simple coffee grounds.

How long do Dracaena plants live?

These are slow grower's that can take about 10 years to reach over 5ft tall but look lush once they reach about a foot high. They have a very similar look like palm tree plants.
...
Facts.

Origin:	Madagascar.
Poisonous for pets:	Toxic to cats and dogs.

How do I make my Dracena bushy?

Cut the top of the main stem to create a compact, bushy shape. If you want a small, round dracaena plant, use your pruning shears to cut off just the top of the stem. Make your cut based on your desired height, though it can be between ¼ to ¾ of the total stem length.

Are dragon trees poisonous to dogs?

Ingestion of the dragon tree can cause toxic symptoms in your canine family member such as stomach irritation and oral pain. ... Most people do not realize this plant is toxic to their dog if consumed. If you believe your dog ingested this plant, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Is dragon tree poisonous to humans?

Though Madagascar dragon tree is generally considered nontoxic, the University of Connecticut notes that any plant can cause a reaction in sensitive individuals. Even though the Madagascar dragon tree isn't toxic to humans, it should not be consumed by adults or children.

Why is it called dragon blood tree?

The Dragon's Blood Tree is named for unique red sap.

This red sap forms a resin that was a prized commodity in ancient times. Romans and other old civilizations used it as medicine and as a red dye.

How often should I mist my dracaena?

Dracaena benefits from a light misting two or three times per week when the air is dry, especially during the winter. Misting also helps to keep the foliage clean and free of dust.

When should I repot my dragon tree?

Potting and Repotting Dragon Tree

Repot your dragon tree into larger pots as necessary. Because these trees grow so slowly, they generally require repotting only every second—or even third—year. In the meantime, you can refresh the potting soil annually to replace any of the mixture that has become compacted.

Is Dracena toxic to cats?

Dracaena is toxic to both cats and dogs. ... A dog eating dracaena leaves can result in vomiting (sometimes with and sometimes without blood), diarrhea, weakness, drooling, loss of appetite, and depression. A cat eating dracaena will result in the same symptoms, possibly with the addition of dilated pupils.