Wispy, narrow leaves edged with colour fan out from slender canes — a false palm that brings a touch of exotic life to any well-lit room. The Madagascar dragon tree (Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia, sold as Dracaena marginata) is resilient and easy; let its soil dry out entirely between waterings and it will live for decades.
| Name | Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia, horticultural name Dracaena marginata |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Type | houseplant |
| Exposure | bright indirect light to partial shade |
| Soil | well-draining indoor plant soil mix, allowed to dry between waterings |
| Foliage | evergreen |
Here is advice on caring for your Dracaena marginata.
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The Madagascar Dragon tree is a rare houseplant: it can take full sun indoors!
Growing Dracaena marginata in a pot requires good soil mix that can be amended with ⅓ compost, if you’ve got some at hand.
In order to enhance drainage, spread clay pebbles or small stones into the pot to form a layer at the bottom.
This will ensure roots won’t wallow in water, which could be fatal.
Growing dracaena marginata outdoors is only possible in warm climates because this plant can’t stand the cold.
Just as is practiced for plants in pots, feel free to place a bed of gravel, small stones or clay pebbles to drain water out better.
The dragon tree adapts well to living indoors in apartments and homes.
It grows best when surrounding temperatures hold at around 70 to 72°F (20 to 22°C). It requires very good light, even direct sunlight.
If you live in a dark house, avoid dracaena: it can’t cope with low light if you water too much.
However:
If the soil is allowed to dry well between waterings – almost like a cactus – all of these Dracaenas do well for years and years in low light.
– Marlie Graves, interior landscaper
If you live in tropical climates, Dracaena marginata will thrive outdoors with little or even no care.
Outdoors, you won’t have to worry very much: as long as the soil drains well, rainfall will cover the plant’s needs.
Inside, as a houseplant, remember the “seven-day rule“: optimum water is every 7 days, once a week.
The biggest trap is overwatering: your dracaena will get yellow leaves and die. Make sure soil dries out entirely before watering again.
Dracaena marginata is sensitive to fluoride and salts in tap water, which show up as brown, scorched leaf tips, so rainwater or filtered water is a safer choice.
Tip away any water left in the saucer or cachepot once it has finished draining.
When you do water, pour slowly until it runs from the drainage holes, so the whole root ball is moistened rather than just the surface.
Mark the lower end of each stem section before cutting it up, because dracaena canes have a polarity and a piece planted upside down roots poorly and unreliably, if at all.
Cut back watering on the topped trunk until those shoots appear, since a leafless stem takes up very little and rots easily.
Though clearly a look-alike, Dracaena marginata isn’t a palm tree. It’s in a category called “false palms”, plants similar to real palms like Areca palm and saw palmetto.
Luckily, the care it needs is nearly identical to that of a palm tree.
All in one aesthetic, resilient and very easy to grow, this is one of the most appreciated and successful houseplants ever.
Foliage is wispy, elegant and unique. Its shape and bearing brings a touch of exotic life to a living room, dining area, and any other room of the house that is well-lit.
Dracaena marginata has a confusing name history. The scientific name for the dragon plant is Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia. In stores, the simpler names “Dracaena marginata” and Dragon tree prevail.
The Dracaena genus is extensive. Many cousins of Dracaena marginata are also grown as houseplants, like Dracaena massangeana.
From these, cuttings can lead to a new type of Dracaena marginata.
In recent years:
Dracaena marginata, like most houseplants, may fall victim to pests and diseases. Troubleshoot issues here:
When propagating dracaena, prepare several cuttings at a time! Chop the stem into as many 1 foot (30 cm) pieces as you can. Place in water for roots and leaves to sprout on each.
