The Dracaena Draco plant, also known as dragon blood plant, owes its name to the Greek word ‘drákaina,’ which means female dragon.
This slow-growing plant is a succulent tropical tree native to Africa. It develops into a tall structure with thick cylindrical trunks and sword-like leaves. It would take you some time to enjoy the full growth of this plant as it takes about ten years to grow up to one meter in height. This also makes for a great indoor plant as you would have to wait twenty-five years for it to outgrow its indoor space.
It is a tough plant, making it comparatively easy to care for. It does not like being under harsh sunlight, nor does it attract a lot of unusual pests, keeping it mostly healthy if properly cared for.
The Dracaena Draco plant can be grown both indoors and outdoors in warm climates. It is not a big fan of cold weather, but it can tolerate windy conditions and high heat.
How to Care for Your Dracaena Draco Plant
Care Tips | Common Problems | New Leaves with Spot | Leaves Turning Yellow | Leaves with Reddish Spot | Grooming and Maintenance | Planter Recommendation
Tips For Caring Your Dracaena Draco Plant
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- Light: The Dracaena Draco prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, which can cause the leaves to yellow or burn.
- Water: Water your Dracaena Draco when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Be sure to water thoroughly, as the plant does not like to dry out completely between watering. However, they may also suffer from root rot if you overwater, so be careful to never allow them to sit in standing water for long. Avoid getting water on the foliage, as this can lead to leaf spots. Use tap water while watering, as this plant is sensitive to temperature.
- Soil: Use a loose, well-draining potting mix, such as a mixture of potting soil and peat moss. Place the potting mix in a planter equipped with a well-designed drainage hole.
- Fertilizer: Fertilize your Dracaena Draco once a month during the growing season (spring through autumn) with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength.
- Temperature: The Dracaena Draco prefers temperatures between 16-27°C. Avoid placing it in a location with drafts or sudden temperature changes. You may also find it helpful for the plant to humidify indoor air, especially during cold winter months, as the plant absorbs most of its moisture from the air rather than the soil.
- Pruning: Prune off any yellow or brown leaves as needed to keep the plant looking healthy.
- Pests: Dracaena Draco is generally resistant to pests, but it can be susceptible to mealybugs and scale. If you notice any pests, treat the plant with a suitable insecticide according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Potting and repotting: Repot this plant every other year, or even annually if possible. Over time, as they mature, they may get top-heavy as they develop into an umbrella-shaped tree, so ensure to use heavier pots or planters. Remember to use well-draining pots to avoid standing water and root rot.
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Common Problems with Dracaena Draco Plants
It is a tough plant and can withstand most common house plant issues, however, if it is suffering from any plant diseases, here are the symptoms to watch out for:
New Leaves with Spots
If the new leaves sprouting from your plant have white or yellow spots, especially around the edges, then your plant has a disease called Flecking Dracaena marginata. Nothing major, you would have to adjust the temperature, moisture levels, and lighting and your plant will go back to being a happy plant.
Leaves Turning Yellow
If there's too much fluoride in your water, it could be causing your Draco plant's leaves to turn yellow. Check for minerals in the soil and fertilizers as well, and possibly get soil or coco peat that is low on fluoride.
Leaves with Reddish Spots
Reddish leaves or leaves with brownish or tan spots could imply that your plant has leaf spot disease. This can be easily countered with proper watering or using fungicides.
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Grooming and Maintenance
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Cutting off withered leaves or yellowing leaves would be enough to make the plant look good. If the plant grows too tall for your space, simply crop the top branches, which would also in turn stimulate denser growth. The plant takes a fairly long time to mature into a fully grown tree, so repotting should not be an issue for the first few years. Once it fully matures, you can choose to freshen the top layer of soil each spring, instead of repotting.
The Dracaena Draco plant is a beautiful tree that can beautifully accentuate any indoor space. Thinking of getting one into your space? Have a look at some of our options right here
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Recommended Planters for your Dracaena Draco Plant
Discover more planters for your Dracaena Draco Plant
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