Dracaenaspp.
Do you fuck the look of lush verdure indoors , but you ’re not ready to commit to anything that need a fate of upkeep ?
Dracaena houseplants are idealistic for busy , absentminded gardeners .
They are so sluttish to take precaution of , and they are probable to withstand occasional neglectfulness . With many unlike species usable in varying sizes and colors , you may find the perfect option for any outer space .
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Read on to learn all you need to bed to develop and care for dracaena indoors .
What You’ll Learn
Cultivation and History
Part of the Asparagaceae family , theDracaenagenus include approximately 120 species , varying in size from little houseplants to bigger shrubs and tree diagram . But you may note that some origin take there are in fact as few as 40 named species in the genus .
This wide range is partially due to the fact that there is an ongoing debate as what just should be classified in this genus .
Also worth noting , they often are confused withCordylineplants , though these are in fact distinguishable . One clear manner to tell the departure is to look at the ascendent . Cordyline have clean roots , while dracaena tooth root are orange in color .
Most of these metal money are native to the tropics , in parts of Africa , southern Asia , and northern Australia . A couple are endemic to South America .
While many dracaena Tree can grow over 10 human foot tall , it is broadly speaking the smaller shrubs that are cultivated as indoor houseplants .
These can be find in a wide range of shapes , sizes , and colors , and many popular type feature dazzlingly colorful striped leafage .
dracaena have been part of human refinement many 100 and was officially named in the 1700s after the ancient Greek Drakaina , a mythical female spirit dragon with humanlike features .
Some multifariousness hold a red rosin in their stems bed as “ flying lizard ’s blood , ” which has been used for thousands of year to make dye , incense , and medicine .
Since the 17th hundred , it has also been used to make varnish for violin and other twine instruments , and is often used in stains and woods polishes .
Dracaena start to appear ornamentally in Europe in the 1800s , and by the remainder of the century had become a comparatively coarse houseplant .
Dracaena Plant Propagation
Dracaenas are deadening growers , best started from cuttings or purchase as nursery stock .
From Cuttings
The first method that I ’ll cover , top cutting , involves snipping off the entire top just below the leaf billet , being certain to include at least a few nodes on the stem .
Do n’t care about harm the parent plant – it should begin sprouting new foliage very promptly .
you may choose to either plant the cutting right away in a pot of moistpotting soil , or in a semitransparent vase filled about a quarter of the mode with cool water . Be sure to choose a vase or pot that ’s magnanimous enough , so the cutting does not tip over .
constitute in water first speeds up the process a bit and also is a fun means to monitor the progress of the tooth root development .
Once you have planted the cutting , set the vase or pot in a warm spot ( about 65 - 75 ° F ) that meet collateral sunlight . The first signs of root emergence should come out in about a week or two .
If you are using the water system method , change the pee every few days , checking for snowy nodules which will develop into roots .
If carving are planted in soil , you may check for tooth root growing by softly push on the bow . If ascendant have develop , you should feel electrical resistance .
When the nodule have build up into roots about an column inch long , it ’s time to transplant the cutting into a two- to four - column inch potentiometer with effective drain .
make full with a poriferous grime mix that ’s full-bodied in organic matter ; one that ’s formulated for indoor houseplants will act well . Be certain to completely bury the root word .
A second method , rooting stem cutting , allows you to propagate many cuttings at once .
embark on by cutting off the top just as you would for a top cutting , but this time , remove more of the stem along with it . result at least one-half of the stem of the parent plant integral so it can grow back .
sheer the bow into section , making sure each contain at least a few knob .
Plant each stem segment in dirt or water , with the base facing down to observe its original orientation , follow the same education account above .
When plant become root bound , move them to larger container . See the pruning and criminal maintenance section below for more detailed pedagogy to transplant your dracaena to a orotund pot .
How to Grow Dracaena Houseplants
These industrial plant are incredibly easy to grow . Just set them somewhere with filtered visible radiation , such as a promising window with a sheer curtain .
Avoid sphere that receive direct sunlight , as it could burn the foliation . Theycan tolerate downcast lightbut medium , indirect light is best .
A Note of Caution:
Be aware when consider placement thatdracaena is toxic to click and cats .
consumption can cause emesis , diarrhea , weightiness loss , hypersalivation , and other unpleasant symptoms .
While considered nontoxic to humans , it still should not be consumed . It is best to keep this plant out of reach of all pets and tyke .
They can tolerate a range of temperatures , with a orientation for indoor temperatures wander from 60 to 70 ° F during the day , and a bit colder at night .
Just be sure to ward off placing them in positioning where the temperature may dip below 55 ° F , and keep industrial plant out of range of heating system or chill vents , to nullify cold draft or blast of heat .
Dracaena can also be grow outdoors class - round inUSDA Hardiness Zones9 to 11 .
Watering
Be sure to irrigate with purified water or rain , as dracaenas are sensitive to fluoride salts unwashed in tap water .
Keep the soil moist but never soggy , always letting the top of the soil dry out completely between waterings . Too much moisture or poor drainage can cause leaves to yellow and droop , and will likelylead to root rot .
Though adaptable , these tropical plants boom in climate with high humidness .
you may increase the humidness indoors by setting a shallow tray fill with small rocks underneath the mass , and adding enough water to barely cover the rock .
The evaporating water will help provide extra moisture . It is also helpful to obscure the foliage every few days .
Find more tip on watering here .
Fertilizing
These tardily - mature plant do n’t require much in the means of fertilizer , and I desist from feeding mine much at all .
Instead , I prefer to keep an eye on them for signs of distress , such as yellowing or browning of leaf , which could indicate a nourishing deficiency .
If you care , you could choose to feed your dracaena about once a month during the spring and summer with a balanced fluid fertilizer diluted to half strength .
Some gardener do this more sparingly , feeding once in the spring and again at the remainder of summer .
Do not feed during the winter , when growth course slows down .
Top medical dressing or repotting in new soil every span of years can also help to keep your plants healthy and well fed , with plenty of available food .
Learn more about how to feed dracaena here .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
As a dracaena plant maturate , it will naturally shed its bottom leave .
Pruning may be done at any sentence to take damage canes and to keep them from get out of ascendency .
Some mintage can grow up to 10 foot improbable , so pruning may be a necessary to keep the size of indoor trees in check .
Luckily , this genus is very tolerant of pruning . you’re able to cut healthy plants back to any pinnacle without worry of causing harm . you may alsoprune them as bonsai plants .
To prune , simply use a sharp sword and cut any cane you wish to remove . Make your track at a 45 - academic degree angle to avoid piddle scathe .
you may also prune out any leaves that have rick chocolate-brown or appear to be stagnant or dying . browned tips or section may be trimmed off without removing the whole folio .
find oneself more dracaena pruning peak here .
When a section of the stalk is remove , new emergence will usually seem below the cut of meat a few week subsequently .
If you like , you may also distribute healthy cane that you ’ve removed to start a new flora !
It is also a in force thought to occasionally dot off the foliage with a dampish material . Dust can blank out sunshine , inhibiting photosynthesis .
Repot dracaena every duad of years to serve replenish soil nutrient , as well as to prevent works from becoming root bound . Select a container that ’s two column inch larger than the current sens .
A day or so before you be after to repot , water well so that the soil is damp . This will help hold up everything together when transplant .
cautiously slide the flora out of the container , cutting away any roots that may have started growing out of the drainage hole . run a knife around the inner edge of the container may aid to loose the industrial plant if it ’s stuck .
come out the root formal into the new pot , surround with moist potting soil . Water thoroughly .
If plant are very large and large or clumsy , or else of repotting , you may replace the top few inches of soil with new filth instead . Top dress at least one a year helps to reinstate food without disturbing the roots .
Fluoride toxicity is another potential problem to keep on your radar .
Depending on the specie , this may be indicated by browning in the white-hot stripe on leaves , by yellowing and dying leaf tips , or by dead brown spots with brilliant yellow tintinnabulation that appear along folio margin .
Be certain to avoid using fluoridated water supply on your plant and maintain a land pH between 6.0 and 6.5 . You canlearn more about soil examination here .
If you distrust fluoride perniciousness , attempt repot in sweet filth .
Dracaena Species to Select
There are many coinage and singular cultivars of dracaena that make wonderful houseplant .
You should be able to locate the more democratic species at your local greenhouse , or even well , from a friend if they ’re willing to give you a cutting .
For added convenience , you’re able to even order dracaena plants online . Get bulge with the following urge varieties :
Dracaena Fragrans var. Massangeana (Corn Plant, Mass Cane)
A vernacular indoor plant , this variety tends to be the most low-cost of the dracaenas .
It is also very dull growing , low maintenance , and can brook low Inner Light than other varieties , making it a groovy choice for your indoor outer space .
Costa Farms hold up Mass Cane
It is characterized by longsighted glossy greenish leaves with bright yellow key stripes and thick , woody cane .
industrial plant in six - inch pots can bepurchased from Costa Farms via Wayfair .
Find elaborate growing information about growing corn plants here .
Dracaena Marginata (Dragon Tree)
A dandy focal point for an indoor space , this take up evergreen tree can reach altitude of around six feet indoors , though it is slow grow and it may take 10 eld or so to reach this pinnacle .
The Draco tree has curved stalk and slim , arch green leafage with red edge .
Dragon Tree
One of the most broad of the dracaena species , it is a very pop choice for indoor ontogeny .
you’re able to purchase a four - column inch potted plant via Wayfair .
Dracaena Reflexa (Song of India, Song of Jamaica)
Perhaps the most common mintage grown as a houseplant , D. reflexais popular for its clearly colored leafage .
The pointed , minute , deep green leaves have brilliant xanthous stripes . It is highly adaptable and makes a enceinte choice for indoor ontogeny .
Song of India
Song of India ( aka Song of Jamaica ) constitute areavailable for leverage from Walmartin four - inch tummy .
Want More alternative ?
We give our favorite varieties in our subsidiary guide , “ 7 Best Types of Dracaena to spring up at base . ”
Managing Pests and Disease
You wo n’t have to worry too much about potential issues plague these unbelievably easy to wish for plants , but there are a few pests and diseases that can come up , and it is always full to be develop .
Insects
There are a few insects that enjoy feed on dracaena foliation . fortunately , pests are generally jolly easy to keep under control , as long as you think to check on your plants occasionally .
These bantam bugs may shape clusters on the plant , sucking juice from the bow , leaves , and bud . infestation can cause wilting and reduced heartiness .
You canread more about plow a job with aphid here .
Wingless insects with a waxy coat , mealy bug congregate together in what resembles a cotton - like mass , and ordered series louse have brown bodies with a cotton - alike coating .
They also produce fuzzy white egg sacs , which can be found attached to plants .
These pests can be found obliterate in protected sphere such as leaf axils . planetary house of plague include stunted emergence and leaf free fall .
Mealybugs , weighing machine , and aphids all secrete honeydew as well , whichattracts ants .
Mild infestations can be control by spraying plants on a regular basis with a firm current of water . Spray every few days while pest are present .
large infestation can be controlled with a homemade insecticidal soap , or neem crude oil .
you could make a simple insecticidal grievous bodily harm for usance on these pestilence by combining a tablespoon of biodegradable liquified soap with a quart of quick water system .
you’re able to lend a little act of garlic or hot white pepper to the mixture to further deter pest . Spray the top and rear of the leave-taking daily until the infestation is under command .
find out confidential information on combating scale insects hereorfind more information on controlling mealybugs here .
Almost too small to see , wanderer mites from the Tetranychidae sept may seem as flyspeck moving spots on the leaf . They cause brown and yellow spotting on foliage , and you may also notice thin webbing .
These pest prefer wry condition and can often be find on plants that are given too little weewee . Spraying the foliation with a strong flow of body of water may pink off the jot .
Neem oil can also be applied when necessary .
ascertain more data on identifying and controlling wanderer mites here .
Disease
While care for dracaena is comparatively hands - off , it is a good theme to give flora an occasional thorough test to ensure that they abide disease free .
Most cuss and disease can be stay fresh in handicap by providing minimally adequate growing conditions – no need to fuss too much if you ’ve covered the basics !
This is a bacterial disease make byErwinia carotovorathat go to brown mild spots on stem and on the base of the stem accompanied by an offensive odor .
There is no discussion for soft hogwash , so bar is unspoiled . Encourage good drainage and avoid overwatering . you’re able to also take care for plant that are certified disease barren when you make your survival of the fittest .
septic plants should be discarded .
Caused byFusarium moniliformefungi , this infection is common on many types of dracaena .
This disease causes spots to work on young leaves . The spots range in size and color , and often look reddish brown or tan with yellow rings .
ascendence folio spot by watering at the base of the plant – not overhead – and discarding redundant water system in the saucers under your plants after lacrimation .
memorise more about disease that affect dracaena plant here .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
The Perfect Houseplant
Dracaena may just be the perfect houseplant . Asking very little of us gardener , one can sit happily neglected for retentive periods , bestow a whimsical flair to your living room .
And with so many dissimilar species to choose from , you will never get bored !
And for more inspiration , why not pick up about someother houseplantsnext ? These pathfinder have got you hatch :
© require the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally published on January 27th , 2021 . Last update May 1st , 2023 . merchandise photos via Costa Farms , Floria House Plants , Wayfair , and Walmart . Uncredited exposure : Shutterstock . With extra composition and editing by Allison Sidhu .
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Heather Buckner
