In this post, we're going through some essential aspects of taking care of a Dracaena and some mistakes we've personally made to help you avoid those mistakes. Set the dracaena in the sink. They’re attractive, easy to maintain, and can tolerate low light conditions, which makes them popular indoor plants in homes and offices. Water the dracaena until water runs from the bottom of the pot. Also ensure the new pot has a drainage hole. This is for the simple fact that the soil in the pot can only sustain the nutritional needs of your plant for so long. Prized as houseplants, dracaena plant varieties survive for years as an indoor potted plant. I repotted many of my houseplants this past spring and this 7′ Dracaena Lisa was one of them. I had gotten a little Dracaena “Lemon Lime” in a 4” pot when I lived up in San Francisco. It not only looks good but it is not as demanding as most other houseplants out there. There are over 40 types of dracaena species, and you can easily prune all of them with a pair of garden shears and a few snips! How to Transplant a Dracaena Marginata. Without further ado, let’s learn about Dracaena marginata care and propagation! Dracaena plants are loved for their carefree growth habit and their ability to thrive under the care of even novice gardeners. Indoor varieties of dracaena thrive in low to bright light and are attractive drought-tolerant plants. Many areas have fluoride in tap water, so fluoride toxicity is a concern. One of the biggest problems is spider mites, which can damage the plant without you realizing until it is already struggling. How to Care for the Dracaena Janet Craig Plant . Dracaena (/ d r ə ˈ s iː n ə /) is a genus of about 120 species of trees and succulent shrubs. Originating in tropical east Africa, the corn plant prefers to be out of direct sunlight, making it an ideal houseplant. It grows best in bright and indirect light. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute SelecTree: Dragon Tree: Clemson Cooperative Extension: Indoor Plants: Transplanting and Repotting, University of Illinois Extension: Plant Palette -- Dracaena, Sloat Garden Center: Garden Guru -- Caring for a Dracaena That a Neighbor Left Behind, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Dracaena Marginata, UC Davis Arboretum All-Star Care Instructions, Missouri Botanical Garden: Indoor Plants or Houseplants, Purdue University Department of Horticulture: Indoor Plant Care. It has also formerly been separated (sometimes with Cordyline) into the family Dracaenaceae or placed in the Agavaceae (now Agavoideae). Don't worry about over pruning or harming a dracaena marginata its a tough cookie and easy to prune and care for. 2. How to Replant a Marginata Plant How to Grow Bok Choy Indoors The corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an easy-care houseplant that offers a lush, tropical aura to any room or outdoor space. Center the dracaena and fill in around the roots, gently tamping the potting soil in place to remove air pockets. Some varieties of dracaena reach 15 feet tall if allowed to grow freely, overgrowing the home and becoming unmanageable as an indoor plant. Learn how to propagate them here. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing. Dracaena plant care involves keeping the soil of houseplant dracaena moist, but never soggy. Select a well-draining, wind-protected site with filtered sunlight and room for your dracaena's mature height and spread, should you want to plant it outside. http://www.botanicus.comPrune this episode #2: Kathryn demonstrates how to prune a common house plant known as Dracaena Massangeana or the Corn Plant portions, taking special note as to which end is the top and bottom. Dracaenas also add tropical flair to outdoor settings in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11. However, just like all plants, after a couple of months, you will need to repot your plant. In addition to being exceptionally easy to maintain, propagating dracaena plants is also quite simple. 2. After 4 to 6 weeks, the plant should … Your average houseplant pests are problematic. Most dracaena plants are propagated by cutting and division and the best time to propagate is during its early growth cycle in spring. The name comes from the ancient Greek word that refers to a female dragon, and ancient beliefs said that this plant appeared from the blood that was left behind after a massive battle between an elephant and a basilisk. Dracaenas are easy plants, but there are a few things you need to remember when taking care of one. Dracaenas are quite robust, making them easy to grow and care for. A longtime favorite for homes and offices, the corn plant, Dracaena fragrans, is an easy-care, dramatically attractive plant. It may take as long as three weeks for the soil to dry out in cool, low light conditions. Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) produces bamboolike stems that are often twisted into ornamental shapes, which provide a … These Dracaena repotting tips, including the mix to use & how to do it, will help you out. In the APG IV classification system, it is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae (formerly the family Ruscaceae). Problems arising to Dracaena Marginata from violation of overwatering: If Dracaena Marginata is watered too often, then first of all the foliage begins to fall; further, if the situation is not corrected, the plant dies (first the roots rot, then, starting from the base, the stem begins to rot and soften). The corn plant goes by many names, and all them are part of the Dracaena family of plants – all typical with the same growing and care requirements. It is inexpensive compared to other houseplants, and the least expensive of the dracaena varieties. They can handle a bit of dry air, too. Watch the leaf tips If the tips of your dracaena leaves turn brown, it's a sign that you may not be watering your plant enough. These plants are perfect for a beginner gardener because they're very easy to grow indoors. If you’re wanting to keep your dracaena in its best shape possible with the nutrients it needs, it is in your best interest to fertilize it. During photosynthesis, their strap-shaped, often-variegated foliage scrubs the air of the common household toxins formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Growing dracaena from cuttings is a great way to rejuvenate an older plant, to get new plants for your home, or to share with friends. Repotting: Repotting should be done about once every two years or so. In order to enhance drainage, pour clay pebbles or small stones into the pot to form a layer at the bottom. Depending on the cultivar, dracaena may reach heights of up to 10 feet (3 m.) or even more, which means that regular dracaena trimming will probably be necessary. Place the containers in a warm location which receives indirect sunlight. Cover the root ball to its previous depth. If you allow your plant to go dry for a long time, your dracaena reacts, not by wilting, but by tipping you off with brown tips. Avoid overwatering. Mix the two together well, fill the pot halfway with it and water it well. Dracaena plants are types of tropical trees and shrubs that are popular houseplants. Transplant the dracaena in spring into a pot that is the next size larger in diameter than its current pot. And of course, it is more important that almost all parts of the plant are now used for medicinal purposes. To take stem cuttings from dracaena, repeat the process of taking top cuttings. Though each variety looks different, they have the same needs as far as fertilizing goes. One of the simplest is to take off the crown. Although most dracaena species tolerate being pot-bound, after awhile they will begin to show signs of stress, such as wilting. Dracaena Warneckii is a type of Dracaena Fragrans (Corn Plant), an unpretentious perennial plant that can grow up to 2 meters in height at home.This species is distinguished by narrow ensiform leaves up to half a meter long and about 5 cm wide. You would use a quality potting mix for houseplants and re-pot the plant by positioning the soil line of … If it's pot-bound – with the roots circling the pot – it should slide out easily. Care & Problems for dracaena plants. Some tips on successfully propagating dracaenas are dipping the cuttings in rooting hormone to encourage early root formation and once planted, enclosing the set up in a plastic bag to regulate temperature and humidity. Dracaena marginata, or Madagascar Dragon Tree, is a versatile plant that is easy to care for and great for people who don’t consider themselves green thumbs. It's a beautiful plant, with wonderful sword like leaves. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Water the dracaena well and cover the root ball with a moisture-preserving layer of organic mulch. > Dracaena > Ficus trees > Houseplant palms > Money tree > Norfolk Island pine > Ponytail palm The best time to divide houseplants is in the early spring, just as they are about to put out fresh new growth. Although dracaena is suitable for growing outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, it is most often grown as a houseplant. The color of leaves is rich green with a beautiful silvery (less often yellow) border along the edges. Dracaena plants get their name from the ancient Greek word drakaina or “female dragon”, making it an instant favorite of mine! Make sure the new pot has drainage holes. Appropriate fertilization is also a part of how to care for a dracaena. It’s a hardy houseplant that grows well in a range of conditions as long as you don’t give it too much sun. However, just like all plants, after a … If you do it by pruning the top off the plant and letting new growth appear or by stem cuttings in water, it propagates with little or no efforts from you at all. The leaves are multicolored with green centers and yellow or cream margins; as they mature, they become more yellow. Dracaena marginata, commonly known as a Madagascar dragon tree or dragon tree, makes a good choice as an indoor plant because it … The practice of taking stem cuttings is useful for rejuvenating overgrown houseplants such as dracaena. Propagating Dracaena Cuttings. Based in the American Southwest, Bridget Kelly has been writing about gardening and real estate since 2005. Invert the pot and slide the plant free. I have a plant in distress! However, it’s 4ft of stalk with a bushy top. Another possibility would be to put a plant better suited to dim lighting in that spot: dieffenbachia, Chinese evergreen, pothos, philodendron, etc., even another dracaena. Note: You may add rooting hormone to t… I sometimes call them “Dr. Dracaena is an amazing plant to bring home. Fill the pot with the soil mixture to within 1 inch of the rim. How to Care for Dracaena House Plants It is quite easy to grow dracaena indoors because it is an unpretentious plant. Botany's answer to indoor air pollution, dracaena (Dracaena spp. Start replacing the soil, breaking up large clods and tamping gently as you work. Dracaena plants are hardy houseplants with a lush, tropical appearance and strap-shaped leaves. Propagating Dracaena by air layering. Slip the dracaena from its pot. Dracaena plants like loose, well-draining soil. If the soil settles, add more so that the surface is within 1 inch of the pot's rim. This large group of plants includes many species that can grow up … Dracaena is a genus of about 40 versatile, easy-to-grow plants with distinctive, strappy leaves. Let it recover for two or three weeks before moving it to its permanent location. They are tolerant of most lighting conditions and will be comfortable in any corner of your home. The plant was getting quite tall and the 10″ grow pot was looking small and out of scale. This dracaena can grow to 18 feet tall and spread up to 8 feet across. Varieties include dragon trees and lucky bamboo, which isn't a true bamboo. Botany's answer to indoor air pollution, dracaena (Dracaena spp. Dracaena History The Dracaena has a long and colorful history that dates back centuries. Roots Run Wild They can be found at most plant stores and home improvement stores at reasonable prices compared with other houseplants of similar sizes. Passionate for travel and the well-written word, Judy Wolfe is a professional writer with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Cal Poly Pomona and a certificate in advanced floral design. ), ranks among the hardest-working easy-care houseplants. Not everyone knows how to prune a dracaena, when to start transplanting it and what care instructions to keep to. Keep your dracaenas in top shape by doing these 5 things: 1. Loosen the fatter roots and cut off any that look soft or damaged. They thrive with dim light, moderate humidity and occasional watering. The plant is healthy, green and doing well. Dracaena houseplants are great candidates for a propagation method called air layering. 5 Easy Tips for Dracaena Care. Seuss plants” because they kind of remind me of the wonky looking trees you’d find in a Dr. Seuss book. Cut the stem section of the plant into 8-inch (20 cm.) Can I Replant a Cut Dracaena?. I think I found the problem! Water enough to keep the soil evenly moist week while the roots become established. Remove weeds and debris from the site. This also makes it easier to shape the plants into your ideal look. Dracaena relfexa 'Variegata' or 'Song of India.' One thing I’ve read about that can be problematic is actually fluoride. In its homeland, Snake Plant is used for many purposes: fibre is extracted from the leaves to make coarse fabrics, ropes and tail-ropes. Dracaena plants enjoy humidity, although luckily it’s not a must to have your home resemble a greenhouse. Transplanting my Dracaena marginata: That ceramic pot is now planted with an array of cacti and sits happily right on the walkway to my front door. Prepare a new pot for your dracaena when the plant is actively growing in spring or summer. Spread the roots and center the dracaena in the hole. Repeat until all the medium is moist. Dracaenas are striking architectural plants, native to western and tropical Africa. 5 Signs Your Plant Needs Dividing. Step 1 Create your own, ideal dracaena planting mix by combining equal parts of potting soil and vermiculite. Fill the new pot with enough dry potting soil that the top the root ball sits less than 1 inch below the rim. Plants produce bold rosettes of strap-like leaves at the tip of each shoot, as older leaves gradually fade and fall to leave bare stems at the base. Most corn plants need to be watered properly to survive, so make sure that you aren’t just under-watering them first. Signs of fluoride toxicity in dracaena plants include dark brown, yellow, or dead areas. Anita Dracaena: This variety is popularly known for tolerating low light conditions. How to Transplant Dracaena Sanderiana. Form the remaining soil into a 2- to 3-inch-high berm around the lip of the hole. How to care for a Dracaena. Corn plants (Dracaena deremensis) are quite popular as houseplants thanks to their attractive foliage and hardy nature.They’re easy to grow in containers or in the garden in the right climate. Dracaenas are striking architectural plants, native to western and tropical Africa. ), ranks among the hardest-working easy-care houseplants. These plants can grow quite tall in the wild, but they stay at a manageable size when kept indoors. Dracaena marginata, commonly known as a Madagascar dragon tree or dragon tree, makes a good choice as an indoor plant because it tolerates low light. Feed every two weeks in spring and summer … Dracaena, dragon tree, corn plant, or whatever you may call it, are amazing houseplants that come in so many different varieties. Dracaena (Dracaena marginata), more commonly known as a dragon tree, is an attractive, stiff-leaved plant with green sword-like, red-edged leaves.The plant has narrow, slender gray stems that are topped with shiny, arching leaves. 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Spring or summer become more yellow regardless of where they grow, proper transplanting is critical dracaenas!