How to look after a dragon plant indoors (2024)

Dracaena, the dragon plant, sits in the asparagus family, Asparagaceae. The genus comprises around 189 species mainly from tropical and subtropical African regions, with exceptions from Madagascar, Asia, northern Australia and parts of South America.

Here's how to look after dracaena

The dragon plant has strappy foliage and, unusually for a strap-leafed plant, elegant, woody stems that vary in size, which makes it particularly suitable for tight spots. If anyone asks me for advice on choosing a houseplant, I tend to point them towards the dragon plant or Dracaena genus, and in particular Dracaena marginata. It is a fantastic beginner plant for several reasons.

Dragon plants: everything you need to know

Why dragon plants are easy to maintain

They are very thin

Dragon plants manage to fill a narrower spaces by staying incredibly slim. The stem is slender and graceful as it grows up and is complemented by a canopy of long, thin, deep-green leaves. An evergreen, tropical shrub, the ribbon-like foliage can grow up to 40cm and has a reddish tinge to the margins. It nimbly grows, creating a sense of the outdoors in a restricted indoor space.

They are slow growers

Dracaena are slow-growing, so if you want to make a statement, it is worth starting with a larger, more established plant. My Dracaena marginata has grown just 30cm in three years.

How to look after a dragon plant indoors (1)

Where to buy dragon plants online

The best conditions for a dragon plant

Where

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.

Watering

Dragon plants prefer underwatering to overwatering, so let the top few centimetres of soil dry out – test with your finger – before watering again.

Compost

I find multipurpose compost unsuitable for indoor plants. It’s heavy, holds on to moisture and takes some time to dry out. A free-draining potting compost, such as John Innes No.2 with added grit, is better suited to most houseplants, including Dracaena, provided you keep an eye on it and water when dry.

Heat

Keep dragon plants at 18-32°C, ensuring the temperature doesn’t drop below 15°C in winter.

Feed

Feed your dragon plant fortnightly in the summer using a balanced liquid feed at half strength.

Propagation

Propagation of Dracaena is straightforward, via tip cuttings. You can propagate tropical flora all year round, but the success rate is higher in spring and summer when there is more light and heat. If your plant has multiple branches, cut any tip of the stem away from the parent plant, roughly 8cm long and above a node. Remove a third of the lower leaves and place in a jar of water on a windowsill. Refresh the water regularly and in a few weeks roots will appear. Pot on into a free-draining soil in a pot that comfortably accommodates the roots. A new shoot will also appear on the parent plant where the cutting has been taken.

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How to look after a dragon plant indoors (2024)

FAQs

How to look after a dragon plant indoors? ›

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 do you care for a dragon plant indoors? ›

Dragon Tree Care
  1. Plant in well-draining soil.
  2. Water regularly during their growing season.
  3. Place in bright, indirect light, though they can thrive in a variety of light conditions.
  4. Fertilize conservatively at the beginning of spring.
Jun 10, 2024

How often do you water an indoor dragon plant? ›

Dracaenas do not require a lot of water and are happiest when their soil is kept slightly moist but never soggy. Water your dracaena about once a week or every other week, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. You can also help keep your dracaena hydrated by misting its leaves once or twice a week.

How do you keep a dracaena happy? ›

Dracaena Care Tips

Never place a dracaena plant in direct sun, as the rays will scorch its foliage. 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.

Do you water a dracaena from top or bottom? ›

Can I water Dracaena from the bottom up? Absolutely! This is one of the best ways to water most houseplants, as it allows the plant time to soak up as much water as it needs without saturating the soil or flushing any nutrients in the soil out of the pot.

Do dragon plants like to be misted? ›

The Dracaena marginata will love a good misting. You can do this once a week or place your plant in a humid bathroom (but make sure you have a window in there). If you don't want to mist your plant, you can also wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.

Why are all the leaves falling off my dragon tree? ›

Watering and Leaf Dropping. Overwatering and underwatering are the culprits behind the distressing phenomenon of leaf dropping in Dragon Trees. Let's cut to the chase: these trees loathe soggy feet. Check the soil—if the top two inches feel like a wet sponge, you've gone too far.

Should I mist my dracaena? ›

As a tropical plant, your dracaena appreciates plenty of moisture. While overwatering isn't the answer, providing light misting works great. A simple spray bottle achieves the desired effect, especially during cold and dry spells indoors. Misting also helps reduce pest infestations and dust collection on leaves.

How do I know if my dragon plant needs water? ›

Avoid overwatering dragon trees. Wait until the compost is dry before watering – it should be about half dry. Look out for brown leaf tips – this indicates that you are underwatering, but if you see yellow leaves this could mean that you are overwatering.

Why is my dragon plant dying? ›

First things first, figure out what's troubling your Dracaena. Common issues include: Overwatering or Underwatering: Yellowing or drooping leaves often signal water distress. Light Issues: Brown leaf tips can indicate too much direct sunlight.

Are coffee grounds good for dracaena? ›

Do Dracaena Plants Like Coffee Grounds? Coffee grounds are great additions to compost and soils for your plant. A small portion of grounds placed into soil acts similarly for your plant as it does for humans. Do not overdo it when adding the coffee grounds into your plant's soil.

Should I cut brown tips off dracaena? ›

Trim dead and browning foliage

Start by removing dead leaves with a pair of scissors. Then trim off brown tips to make the plant look fresher. Consider pruning any stems are out of proportion. In fact, trimming back long stems will help boost growth.

Can I use Miracle Grow on my dracaena? ›

Tip: We recommend using Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food to give dracaena an instant boost of nutrition. Apply it directly to the soil and water as normal.

Where is the best place to put a dracaena plant? ›

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.

What does an overwatered dracaena look like? ›

Rescue your Dracaena from mushy leaves 🍂 with the ultimate guide to proper watering and care! Overwatering signs: Yellow leaves, droopy look, and mushy stems. Root rot and fungi: Hidden threats in moist conditions. Recovery steps: Cut water, repot, prune, and ensure airflow.

How to make dracena bushy? ›

To promote branching, cut the main stem at an angle just above a leaf node. This strategic snip can transform a lanky Dracaena into a lush, leafy showpiece. But remember, it's not a race to the bottom—avoid cutting too low. You want to leave enough of the stem to support new growth.

How long does a dragon plant last? ›

How long do dracaena plants live as houseplants? Although this varies by species, most dracaena houseplants live 10–15 years when grown under optimal conditions with regular repotting. Dracaena plants that grow outdoors in subtropical zones live much longer.

Why does my dragon plant keep dying? ›

First things first, figure out what's troubling your Dracaena. Common issues include: Overwatering or Underwatering: Yellowing or drooping leaves often signal water distress. Light Issues: Brown leaf tips can indicate too much direct sunlight.

Why are the tips of my Dracaena turning brown? ›

If the tips of your dracaena leaves turn brown, it's a sign that you may not be watering your plant enough. 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.

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