Dracaena marginata, commonly called red-edge dracaena, is an evergreen tree with stiff, ribbon-like red-margined green leaves and slim, curving stalks for trunks. This plant cannot withstand frost, overwintering outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10b and above. You can also grow it as a houseplant. It will grow 8 to 15 feet high and 3 to 8 feet wide in the right conditions.
Written by Sarah Morse; Updated November 28, 2018
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There are over 40 cultivated varieties of dracaena, which are originally from forests in Africa. Common varieties are often called “corn plants” (dracaena fragans, as seen in photo above) and “dragon trees” (dracaena marginata in photo below). In short, Dracaena marginata plants are not fussy and require minimal care. Though this plant is said to be safe for kids, it can be toxic for dogs and cats. Pets may develop symptoms like vomiting, lack of appetite, drooling, dilated pupils, weakness, etc., after ingesting any part of this plant. EnvironmentDracaena can grow in shade or sun and thrives in fertile, organic well-drained soil, although it can withstand almost any kind of soil. Because it can tolerate low light and is so frost-tender, most choose to grow the plant indoors. Outdoors, it needs some shelter from the hot afternoon sun. Multiple plants need 36 to 60 inches of space between them. Watering and FertilizationOnce established, the dracaena is quite drought-tolerant, but it will thrive with at least a moderate amount of water. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soaked, watering once or twice a week during dry periods in the spring and summer. This plant does not require much fertilizer. Two applications of slow-release fertilizer, marked 10-10-10 or 8-8-8, in early spring and again in the summer will encourage just the right amount of growth. PruningAs dracaena grows it gets tall and lanky, losing its leaves at the bottom of the plant. The resulting spindly trees with tufts of leaves on the top can look awkward and unbalanced. To make the tree more bushy, cut the tall canes down to the height at which you wish them to stand with pruning shears. Use sterilized pruning shears to prevent the spread of plant diseases. From the cut will sprout one or more new shoots that will grow leaves. Problems![]() Red-edged dracaena is susceptible to leaf spot diseases, which occur during prolonged wet and warm weather. Avoid watering the plant from overhead to prevent the disease. Citohormonski status u papa testu. If the dracaena shows signs of leaf spot, cut off the infected foliage and destroy it so that the disease does not spread. Thrips, mites and other chewing pests may also be a problem, but can often be controlled with applications of horticultural oil or a strong blast of water. Signs of thrip damage include pale spots on the leaves, distorted leaf growth and premature leaf drop. Spider mites cause yellow and brown spots on leaves, and you may see small white balls near the leaf veins. The pests are most likely to infest stressed trees. WinterizingDracaena is a tropical plant, so outdoor plants will require extra care if temperatures drop below 65 degrees F. Dracaena grown in containers should be brought indoors, while plants in the ground should be covered with a blanket. If the temperatures dip toward freezing, plants in the ground should be dug up and planted in a container so they can be moved indoors. References (5)Resources (1)About the AuthorSarah Morse has been a writer since 2009, covering environmental topics, gardening and technology. She holds a bachelor's degree in English language and literature, a master's degree in English and a master's degree in information science. Cite this ArticleChoose Citation Style
Morse, Sarah. 'Dracaena Marginata Care Instructions.' Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/dracaena-marginata-care-instructions-62877.html. 28 November 2018.
Morse, Sarah. (2018, November 28). Dracaena Marginata Care Instructions. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/dracaena-marginata-care-instructions-62877.html
Morse, Sarah. 'Dracaena Marginata Care Instructions' last modified November 28, 2018. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/dracaena-marginata-care-instructions-62877.html
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