Dracaena

Botanical name: Asparagaceae

Common name: Dracaena marginata, fragrans, Madagascar dragon tree, corn, lemon, red-edge dracaena

Origin: Madagascar and generally the tropical regions of Africa

Care

Soil: It needs soil enriched with enough peat. Dracaena soil must contain trace elements such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. The soil should be light, friable, and have good moisture permeability. Therefore, the excessive presence of peat, which so often spoils ready-made soils, in the composition of the soil for dracaena is undesirable. Peat absorbs water, but expels it poorly, the soil dries quickly.

Light: Dracaena is a plant that needs no special requirements. It thrives in bright places that do not get direct sunlight, especially in the summer season. It is durable and can survive in places with less light. We can also place it on our balcony, as long as we place it in a shady place, taking care to protect it from the low winter night temperatures by bringing it inside the house.

Water: Dracaena needs watering approximately every 10 days, while in the summer we water every 5 days. Before watering, check that the soil is dry. If it is not watered sufficiently, dryness is created at the edges of the leaves which indicate that the plant needs more water.

Temperature: As a tropical plant, it does not tolerate low temperatures, so in winter it is only suitable for indoor use. Suitable temperatures for dracaena to grow are between 16-25°C. It is good to keep the dracaena away from heat sources, such as fireplaces and radiators, as well as from the cold currents of air conditioners during the summer season.

Humidity: Prefers high humidity levels. If the indoor space where you placed the plant has low humidity, place the plant on a tray of water and stones to increase its humidity. Regularly sprinkle its leaves and clean them every week with a wet cloth.

Fertilizer: To help dracaena grow, add liquid fertilizer for green plants 1-2 times a month in the spring and autumn, while supplemental fertilizing with iron will help the intense greening of the foliage.

Toxicity: All dracaena are toxic to pets.

Did you know this? The name Dracaena comes from the Greek word dracaena, meaning female dragon. The plant contains a raisin in the stem that resembles dragon's blood. For many centuries, this was used for dyes, medicines and even toothpaste. However, today its use is mainly limited to the creation of varnish and photographs.

Varieties of Dracaena

Dracaena Marginata comes from Madagascar; it has long narrow leaves with reddish edges.

Dracaena Tricolor has green, white and red stripes.

Dracaena Fragrans has fragrant flowers.

Dracaena Massangeana and Victoria have colored foliage.

Dracaena Deremensis is native to East Africa.

Dracaena Warneckii has long lanceolate leaves.

Dracaena Godseffiana is bushy with splashed leaves.

Dracaena Sanderiana has leaves striped yellow and white at the edge.

Dracaena Reflexa has dense leaves and is known as Song of India.

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