Dracaena care
The Dracaena, also known as the Dragon Tree The Dracaena, or Dragon Tree, is a sturdy and low-maintenance plant that fits effortlessly into your interior. It gets its unusual name from the red resin in its trunk. With its strong trunk and stylish leaves, the Dracaena is a real eye-catcher that stays healthy even without much care.
Care Dracaena
Care tips for Dracaena in brief
| Guarantee | Fresh from the grower | |
| Delivery type | Houseplant delivered in growing pot | |
| Latin name | Dracaena | |
| Location | Normal daylight/partial shade | |
| Water requirements | Once every 3-6 weeks | |
| Toxic | Mildly toxic if ingested | |
| Air purifying | Yes | |
| Maintenance | Low |
“The Dracaena does not require much water. You only need to water the plant once every 3 to 6 weeks, as it stores moisture in its trunk. ”
Frequently asked questions about Dracaena
Quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about water, light, nutrition and care.
I don't have green fingers, is the Dracaena right for me?
The Dragon Tree is actually one of the easiest houseplants you can have, even if you don't have green fingers! This plant is incredibly forgiving and requires little maintenance. The Dracaena grows well in different light conditions, as long as you avoid direct sunlight. And it doesn't need much water.
Why are the leaves of my Dracaena turning yellow?
There are several possible causes for yellowing leaves:
- Too much water: Dracaenas are susceptible to root rot if they are overwatered. Ensure that the soil can drain properly.
- Too little water: if the plant goes without water for too long, the leaves can also turn yellow.
- Too much direct sunlight: Dragon trees do best in indirect light; direct sunlight can damage the leaves.
- Nutrient deficiency: if your plant has not been fertilised for a long time, a lack of nutrients can cause the leaves to discolour.
- Too much water: Dracaenas are susceptible to root rot if they are overwatered. Ensure that the soil can drain properly.
- Too little water: if the plant goes without water for too long, the leaves can also turn yellow.
- Too much direct sunlight: Dragon trees do best in indirect light; direct sunlight can damage the leaves.
- Nutrient deficiency: if your plant has not been fertilised for a long time, a lack of nutrients can cause the leaves to discolour.
How often should I water a Dracaena?
A dragon tree does not need much water, and you can easily forget to water it once in a while! In most cases, watering your Dracaena once every 3-6 weeks is sufficient. The plant likes to dry out a little between waterings, so make sure the top layer of soil feels dry before watering. In winter, when the plant is less active, its water requirements may decrease even further. Always use well-draining potting soil so that water does not remain in the pot for too long, as Dracaena does not like “wet feet”.
What is the ideal temperature for a dragon tree?
Dracaenas like temperatures between 18-24°C. They can tolerate cold temporarily, but temperatures below 15°C can be harmful to the plant.
Why are the edges of my dragon tree's leaves turning brown?
Brown edges can indicate various problems:
- Insufficient humidity: Dracaenas like a certain level of humidity. In dry environments, the edges of the leaves can turn brown.
- Overwatering or root rot: if you water too often or if the water cannot drain properly, this can lead to root rot, which can manifest itself as brown edges on the leaves.
- Insufficient humidity: Dracaenas like a certain level of humidity. In dry environments, the edges of the leaves can turn brown.
- Overwatering or root rot: if you water too often or if the water cannot drain properly, this can lead to root rot, which can manifest itself as brown edges on the leaves.
Why isn't my Dracaena growing?
If your Dracaena isn't growing, there could be several reasons:
- Insufficient light: Dracaenas need indirect, bright light to grow well. A spot with mostly shade is also fine, but too much shade can hinder growth.
- Insufficient nutrition: the plant needs occasional feeding, especially if it has been in the same pot for a long time.
- Too much or too little water: irregular watering can affect growth.
- Temperature problems: Dragon trees grow best at constant, moderate temperatures.
- Insufficient light: Dracaenas need indirect, bright light to grow well. A spot with mostly shade is also fine, but too much shade can hinder growth.
- Insufficient nutrition: the plant needs occasional feeding, especially if it has been in the same pot for a long time.
- Too much or too little water: irregular watering can affect growth.
- Temperature problems: Dragon trees grow best at constant, moderate temperatures.
Is the dragon tree dangerous to pets? T
The Dracaena is toxic to pets, especially cats and dogs. It contains substances called saponins, which can cause vomiting, loss of appetite and other digestive problems if a pet eats part of the plant. It is important to keep the plant out of reach of pets.
Why are the leaves falling off my Dracaena?
Older leaves fall off naturally. If you notice that the lower leaves are wilting, this is often a normal ageing process and is part of the plant's growth. In some cases, leaf fall can have other causes, especially if healthy leaves are falling off:
- Too much or too little water: this is the most common cause. Both overwatering and underwatering can cause the leaves to fall off.
- Too little light: Dracaenas need sufficient light. If they are placed in areas that are too dark, they may shed their leaves.
- Temperature differences: plants that are exposed to sudden temperature changes or draughts can lose leaves.
- Too much or too little water: this is the most common cause. Both overwatering and underwatering can cause the leaves to fall off.
- Too little light: Dracaenas need sufficient light. If they are placed in areas that are too dark, they may shed their leaves.
- Temperature differences: plants that are exposed to sudden temperature changes or draughts can lose leaves.
Can a dragon tree flower?
The Dracaena can flower, but this almost never happens in a living room. Only when the plant is mature and in a very favourable environment. With the Dracaena fragrans, for example, the flowers can be white and have a strong scent, but this usually only happens when the plant is well cared for and has been alive for a long time.
Why is the stem of my Dracaena turning brown?
There are several possible causes for a brown stem:
- Root rot due to overwatering: if the plant receives too much water, the roots can start to rot, resulting in a brown and soft stem.
- Fungal infections: this can damage the stem, especially in plants that have too much moisture or poor air circulation.
- Poor care or insufficient light: a lack of sufficient light can affect the health of the stem, which can lead to brown spots.
- Root rot due to overwatering: if the plant receives too much water, the roots can start to rot, resulting in a brown and soft stem.
- Fungal infections: this can damage the stem, especially in plants that have too much moisture or poor air circulation.
- Poor care or insufficient light: a lack of sufficient light can affect the health of the stem, which can lead to brown spots.
Can I put a dragon tree outside?
Dracaenas can be placed outside (for example, in summer), but they do not tolerate cold or frost well. They must be brought indoors as soon as temperatures drop below 15°C. In warm, tropical climates, they can grow outside, but in other areas, they must be kept indoors.
