How to Grow Dracaena Plant

About Dracaena House Plants

Like many other house plants, Dracaena plants are grown for their attractive, decorative, lance-like leaves. Some species produce fragrant flowers. However, when grown indoors, it rarely blooms. Dracaena houseplants are very popular in homes and offices, as it grows slowly. And it is easy to grow with just a little care. It readily adapts to the low light levels in most homes and offices.

You can grow Dracaena plants indoors of out. In warmer regions of the country, it is grown both outdoors and indoors as a houseplant. Most people in colder regions grow them indoors as a houseplant. They are also popular grown in enclosed malls as a small tree. There are over 120 species of Dracaena. They are related to asparagus. The plant is native to native to Africa, southern Asia, and Central America. The plant stems are called “Canes”. Dracaena canes have corn or spear-like leaves, which are green with variegated colors in cream, red, or white, depending upon the species.

Did You Know? The resin of Canary Island Dracaena species is called “dragon’s blood.” Yes, it is a deep red color.

Dracaena Plant Specifications

Plant Height: 1 to 20 feet

Light Requirements: Partial, indirect sunlight.

Ideal Room Temperature: 60 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity: low

Toxic?: Yes.

Deer Resistant? Yes.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 10 – 13

Ideal Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.0

Native To: Asia, Africa, and Central America.

Number of Species: Approximately 120.

Botanical Name: Dracaena

Other Names: Corn plant, for its corn-like leaves, Dragon’s Blood, False Palm, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Ribbon Plant, Snake Plant.

Did You Know? Dracaena Sanderiana is commonly called Lucky Bamboo. However, it isn’t bamboo at all. Its appearance

Are Dracaena Plants Edible?

NO!!

Dracaena houseplants contain toxic chemicals. Keep this plant away from children and pets.

Medicinal Applicatons for Dracaena Plants

The plants offer a number of medical benefits. Here are some of them:

Dracaena houseplants benefit people with asthma and other lung ailments as they purify the air.
They increase humidity in homes and offices.
The plant has antiseptic properties. Use the sap from the leaves as a topical treatment for wounds and skin infections.
Treatment for constipation, diarrhea, and stomach ulcers.
It has anti-inflammatory properties.
Threat pain from arthritis.

Caution: We recommend you do not make a home remedy yourself from this toxic plant unless you are trained to do so by a qualified professional.

Plant Light Requirements

The light requirements for this plant vary by variety and where it is grown. Dracaena trees in their natural environment, grow up to 20 feet tall. These big trees usually receive full sunlight. Smaller trees may receive partial sunlight

A Dracaena houseplant grows much smaller and readily adapts to reduced indoor light levels. They grow well in bright, indirect light. If the plant and container are small enough to move, rotate it every week or two so all the leaves get some sunlight over time. this also helps the trunk of the tree to grow straighter.

Dracaena Plant Propagation

Plants can be propagated by removing and rooting leaves and stems. It’s easy!

First, remove a healthy leaf or young stem. Cut the stem off where it meets the main trunk of the plant.
Next, root the cutting in water.
Then, when the roots are an inch or so long, plant the cutting in a flowerpot.
Keep the soil moist, not wet.

You can also propagate them from seeds. However, the plants rarely produce flowers and fruit with seeds to harvest. So, starting them from seeds is uncommon.

How to Grow Dracaena Plants

The Dracaena plant is easy to grow and care for outdoors, or indoors as house plants.

Grown as house plants, they prefer cooler temperatures, especially at night. However, they do not like cold drafts.

Select a pot or container that fits your room decor and allows room for the plants’ root system to grow. Also, select a container that has holes in the bottom for good drainage. If the plant outgrows the container, it can be transplanted into a larger pot.

Use regular, loose potting soil.

The soil should be moist, not wet. Wet soils causes root rot, and can kill the plant. Allow the surface of the soil to dry a little between watering.

This plant grows best in indirect, filtered light. The plant will grow fine, placed near a northern-facing window.

Fertilizing Plants: For indoor plants, use a house plant fertilizer every two to three weeks during the growing season. As fall arrives, cut back to once a month. In the winter months, withhold fertilizers, giving the pant a period of dormancy.

The plants can outgrow their container. If it is too big, it can tip over, container and all. You can transplant it into a larger container. However, this becomes more and more difficult as the plant continues to grow. Also, you can give the plant an aggressive trim, as needed.

How to Prune Dracaena Plants

Keep Dracaena pruned for plant health and a tidy appearance. Prune away sick or dead leaves, cutting the stem where it reaches the main trunk. After a few weeks, new leaves will appear below the cut.

Is your Dracaena plant reaching the ceiling in your home? That’s pretty common. If the plant is getting too tall for the room, cut the main trunk back. One or two new main branches (or trunks) will form below the cut.

Insects, disease and Other Plant Problems

Mealybugs, mites, and scales can occasionally be a problem. For indoor plants, mix a couple of drops of dish soap and water in a spray bottle. then, spray the plant.

Keep plants out of cold drafts.

Root rot will occur in wet soils.

Droopy, yellow leaves often indicate wet soils. Bright sunlight can also cause yellowing leaves.