How to care for a Dracaena
In this guide I explain how to care for a plant in the Dracaena family. It's quite an easy plant to take care of, but it has some things you should know before getting one for yourself.
Do you think Dracaenas are difficult to take off? Think again! They're fantastic houseplants for beginning plant owners. Dracaenas are easy plants, but there are a few things you need to remember when taking care of one. 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.
There are many types of Dracaena out there, but not all of them look like the Dracaena Marginata, the plant in the image at the top. The different Dracaenas might not look alike all the time, but they're very similar to care for.
If you haven't yet had the chance to pick up a Dracaena, you can have a look at getting on online through flower delivery companies.
In this guide we'll go over these aspects of Dracaena plant care:
Let's learn how to take care of this low-maintenance and beginner-friendly houseplant!
Watering
When it comes to watering, the Dracaena might be one of the easiest plants you can imagine. When comparing the water needs, it's very similar to a succulent. Dracaenas need very little water and too much water will harm them.
When you're watering the Dracaena you want to let the soil dry out in between waterings. When you do water them, do it thoroughly. However, make sure no excess water stays behind in the pot. A pot with draining holes would be ideal in this situation, but if you don't have one, just water it a little bit less.
In the growing seasons, Spring and Summer, you should water the Dracaena every 2-4 weeks, depending on the moisture levels of the soil. In the dormant months, Autumn and Winter, you should water the Dracaena every 4 weeks. Make sure the soil is completely dried out before watering.
Overwatering symptoms
Overwatering the plant will cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown and fall off. Luckily this happens early on, so you will know quite soon that you've overwatered the plant. When this happens, try to get rid of the excess moisture by draining the water left in the pot, and wait before watering again.
Underwatering symptoms
Dracaena with wrinkles because of thirst
When your dracaena is underwatered, it'll start to show wrinkles on its stems, and the tips of the leaves will start to dry out, turning crispy and brown. When this happens, water your plant as soon as you can and watch the wrinkles disappear on your dracaena.
Light requirements
Dracaena is a tropical plant that thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. This means that it's best to place your Dracaena near a window with filtered light or in a well-lit room with plenty of natural light. However, direct sunlight can scorch the leaves of your plant, so it's essential to make that your Dracaena isn't exposed to harsh sun rays.
If you don't have a bright house, this plant will suit you perfectly. The Dracaena can't be in direct sunlight, so make sure you find a shaded, but slightly bright spot. Technically, these plants will also do well in darker places, but then the Dracaenas will grow towards whatever light they can find. To make sure that your Dracaena grows as straight as possible, make sure you give it enough light or rotate the plant regularly.
During the winter months, when the sun isn't as powerful, it's perfectly fine to put a Dracaena closer to a big window. The direct sunlight won't leave burn spots. When spring starts and the sun gets stronger again, move the plant back to a more shady spot in your house.
Apart from natural light, you can also provide your Dracaena with artificial light. This can come in handy, especially if you live in an area with low-light conditions. In such cases, supplementing your plant with fluorescent light or LED bulbs can help it thrive.
It's worth noting that Dracaena is a versatile plant that can adapt to different light conditions. You don't have to worry too much about providing it with a precise amount of light. Just make sure it's getting moderate to bright light, and you're good to go.
Can dracaenas tolerate low light
Dracaena plants can certainly tolerate low-light conditions! They are known to be one of the most adaptable houseplants and can thrive in a variety of light levels. Of course, like all plants, they do need some amount of light to survive. They can thrive in low to medium-light areas and are an excellent choice for spaces with limited natural light.
It's important to remember that the amount of light a Dracaena plant needs depends on the specific variety. Some varieties can tolerate lower light levels than others, and it's always a good idea to do some research on the specific variety you plan to bring home. That being said, in general, all Dracaena plants are known for their resilience and ability to adapt to less-than-ideal conditions.
Temperature and humidity requirements
Dracaena plants are beloved for their attractive foliage and low-maintenance nature, making them a popular choice for indoor and outdoor decoration. To care for these plants and make sure they reach optimal growth, it is important to understand the temperature and humidity requirements that they thrive in.
Dracaena plants prefer temperatures between 15 and 27 degrees Celsius (60 to 80 F) during the day and slightly cooler temperatures at night. They can tolerate lower temperatures but are sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. So, it's important to keep them away from drafty windows and doors.
Dracaenas prefer a moderately humid environment, but they can also tolerate lower levels. Maintaining a humidity level of 40-50% is ideal for these plants, but they can thrive in humidity levels as low as 25%. To increase humidity, you can place a tray of water close to the plant or use a humidifier.
Soil
As Dracaenas are plants that love to dry out. They're quite sensitive to overwatering, so you must find soil that drains water well. Soil that retains too much water could harm the plant and cause root rot. A mix of succulent soil and potting soil is a good fit for a Dracaena. Make sure that the soil is well-aerated, as this will help to ensure proper drainage even further. To make your own mix, combine equal parts of succulent and potting soil with some perlite or coarse sand for aeration. This mixture should be light and airy so that water can easily drain out without getting stuck in the soil.
Fertilizer
Dracaenas are very slow-growing plants, both in the summer months and the winter months. Because of this, they require very little fertilizer. If you do want to add some fertilizer, it's a good idea to do this every 6-8 weeks. This way you're not giving too much, but you're still helping it grow better. It's best to use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer that is specially designed for indoor plants.
Repotting
Repotting your Dracaena is an important part of its care routine to ensure it continues to grow healthy and strong. As mentioned in the previous section, Dracaenas grow very slowly. This means that you'll rarely have to repot the plant. You should repot this plant into a bigger pot every 2-3 years, or when you notice it has outgrown its current pot. Yes, that's really how slow they grow.
You'll know that your Dracaena might need repotting when the roots grow out of the drainage holes or a lack of growth despite fertilization and proper lighting. When it comes to repotting, you want to choose a pot that is one size larger than its current pot. Make sure the new pot has drainage holes to prevent overwatering.
Before repotting, water your Dracaena to make it easier to remove it from its current pot. Gently loosen the soil around the roots and carefully lift the plant out of the pot. Shake off any excess soil and check the roots for any signs of damage or disease. If you notice any issues, trim away any affected roots before repotting.
Place your Dracaena in the new pot, making sure it's at the same depth as before. Fill in the gaps with soil and gently press it down around the plant. Water your Dracaena thoroughly and place it in a spot with bright, indirect light.
Because there is so much time between repotting this plant, it's good to check your soil once per year. Look if it's still loose enough for the plant to grow properly. If the soil has compacted too much, adding some fresh soil is a great choice.
Propagation
Propagating a Dracaena is very easy. As you can see in the picture at the top, all leaves grow out of the ends of stems on the Dracaena. All you have to do is cut the stem about 3 inches under the leaves at the top and put that back in the soil. This stem will start to grow roots.
At the same time, the now exposed stem on the parent plant will start to grow new leaves, and eventually stems as well. The plants might grow slowly, but by propagating them, you can very quickly have a lot of them.
Pruning
It may sometimes become necessary to trim or prune your Dracaena plant to keep it healthy and looking its best. Here are some tips on how to prune your Dracaena and the best time to do it.
When to Prune Your Dracaena
The best time to prune your Dracaena is during the growing season, which typically runs from late spring to early fall. During this period, the plant is actively growing, and it will recover quickly from any pruning you do.
How to Prune Your Dracaena
There are a few steps you should follow when pruning your Dracaena:
Step 1: Remove any dead or dying leaves
Use a sharp, sterile pair of scissors or garden shears to snip off any brown, yellow, or withered leaves.
Step 2: Cut back leggy stems
If your Dracaena has long, leggy stems with sparse foliage, you can prune them to encourage new growth. Use the same tools to snip off the top portion of each leggy stem, leaving a few leaves at the base.
Step 3: Reduce the height of overly tall plants
Some Dracaena varieties, like the Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans), can grow up to six feet tall indoors. If your plant has outgrown its space, you can prune it back to reduce its height. Cut the stem just above a leaf to encourage branching and a fuller appearance.
Step 4: Shape the plant
If you want to shape your Dracaena into a specific form, like topiary or spiral, use pruning shears to carefully remove the excess growth.
When pruning your Dracaena, remember to take it slow and steady. Don't remove too much foliage at once, as this can shock the plant and restrict its recovery.
Pests and diseases
The Dracaena is quite well protected against pests and diseases. That doesn't mean pests and diseases won't happen. When the plant is too dry for too long it's susceptible to mealy bugs and spider mites. To prevent this, it's a good idea to mist your plant every once in a while or use other methods to raise the humidity level. Do you need ideas for this? Have a look at title.
When you're dealing with mealy bugs, the stick cotton-like spots, it's easiest to kill them with rubbing alcohol. You can do this by dabbing them with a Q-tip that has been soaked in rubbing alcohol. If this doesn't work, you can also use a plant spray and cover the whole plant that way.
Placing the plant in a room with poor air circulation will cause black spots to appear on the leaves. This is a pretty tough thing to get rid of. If it's not going away by itself, a way to get rid of it is by cutting all of the leaves off. It's a sad thing to do because you can't use those leaves for propagation anymore, but at least the pest will be gone. Keep the plant in a larger room, like the living room, where people are a lot of the time and fresh air from outside can come in.
Is the dracaena toxic for pets or children?
It's important to be aware of the potential risks of having Dracaena plants around pets and children. The leaves of Dracaena plants contain saponins which can cause vomiting, drooling, and weakness if ingested by pets or children.
It's also important to remember that the toxicity of the plant can vary depending on the species and the amount ingested. Some Dracaena plants are considered more toxic than others. For example, the Dracaena fragrans, also known as the corn plant, is considered to be mildly toxic, while the Dracaena marginata, also known as the dragon tree, is considered to be highly toxic.
To guarantee the safety of your children and pets, it's recommended to keep Dracaena plants out of reach. If you suspect your pet or child has ingested any part of a Dracaena plant, contact your veterinarian or local poison control center immediately. By being aware of the potential risks and taking necessary precautions, you can enjoy the beauty of Dracaena plants in your home while keeping everyone safe.
Conclusion
Dracaenas are wonderful plants and are generally easy to take care of. However, as with any plant, there are a few tricks that could make taking care of these plants even easier. The biggest thing you have to keep in mind when taking care of these plants is that you should make sure that the Dracaena can dry out between waterings and that you don't place it in direct sunlight.
Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.
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