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How to grow and care for Your Madagascar Dragon Tree

Dracaena marginata

This plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayOnce established this plant requires little or no supplemental wateringThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis can be grown as a House PlantA photograph is availableHow to Use the Plant Care Icons at The Garden Helper


Dracaena marginata is a very durable, easy to care for plant that will slowly grow to a multi stemmed, 10 feet tall shrub.
It has a flexible, snake-like trunk that will eventually branch with age,
or can be forced to branch by cutting the stem tip.
The Madagascar Dragon Tree has narrow, dark green, arching leaves that are edged in deep red.
Many hybrids have been introduced that have other colors of foliage, as well.
In most areas the Dragon Tree is grown as a house plant,
but for those who are lucky enough to grow their gardens in frost free areas of USDA zones 10-12,
Dragon Trees make an excellent, drought resistant, accent plant for growing in partial to light shade.

Growing Dracaena marginata as House Plants

Dragon Trees will adapt to a wide variety of light conditions, but will have the best foliage color when they are grown in bright, indirect light.
Green varieties can survive with considerably less light.
They should be potted in a well draining house plant soil.
Deeder the Garden Gnome
Dracaena marginata plants are very drought resistant, but they should be watered on a regular basis, nonetheless. Wait until the soil surface is dry to the touch, then water them thoroughly, using water that has been allowed to set for 24 hours.
Never allow the soil to remain constantly wet!
Dragon Trees appreciate an occasional misting of their foliage.
Fertilize them monthly with a balanced house plant fertilizer.
During the winter months, fertilizing should be withheld, watering reduced and
your Dracaena should be moved to a cooler room.
Watch out for mealybugs, scale insects and mites,
as they are the most common insect pests that attack Dracaena plants.

Propagating Dragon Tree Plants

Dracaena marginata are easy to propagate by air layering,
or with tip or stem cuttings taken in late spring or summer.

A Madagascar Dragon Tree, Dracaena marginata
Dragon Tree
Dracaena marginata 'tricolor'


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