Dracaena Draco Plant Care

Did you know that Dracaena gets its name from the Greek word ‘drákaina,’ which means “female dragon?” This denotes the brilliant red resin of the Draco kind.

Native to Africa, this has been known to be a tropical plant that can reach 15 feet high in its natural habitat. Dracaena draco is an excellent indoor plant with luscious vertical foliage. This corn-like plant (bigger and broader) will surely give an additional landscape to your beautiful home.

So if you want to see its maximum growth, placed them outdoors with some shades. If you just want them to look like the cuties standing in the corner like an ornament, be my guest; put them in a nice-looking pot to match their gorgeous, mighty appearance. Let’s find out how to take care of these beauties, so stay tuned.

Dracaena Draco Plant Care Basics

Before we give you tips on how to take care of this beauty, the table below introduces the Dracaena draco plant:

Now that we’ve introduced you to this rare plant, we will now give you tips on how to efficiently take care of this plant. Don’t just stop here yet! There’s more below to find out. Enjoy!

Chose the right soil for our Dracaena draco

The soil requirement of the Madagascar dragon tree Dracaena draco is a well-drained and airy soil type with peat moss. The soil should be on a pH level of slightly acidic to neutral level to achieve the optimal soil condition required for the plant. These levels are essential to give the plant total growth and prevent the Draco from infections.

Pro tip: When grown in a container, good drainage is needed to prevent excess water from remaining stagnant on the topsoil.

Watering Needs

The Dracaena draco requires a medium amount of water. Despite being drought-resistant and highly vulnerable to plant diseases, the plant should not be overwatered or underwatered.

The top half of the soil is only essential to be damped, and the moisture should remain that way. A watering schedule is a necessary tool for giving the amount of water needed by the plant at the right time and the right amount. The top half can last up to three weeks before it could be watered once again.

Pro tip: Due to the plant’s sensitivity to temperature, the plant needs to be watered with lukewarm water.

How Much Lighting?

The lighting requirement of the Dragon tree should be on the full shade to part shade. However, the bright indirect light is the ideal choice when it comes to the lighting requirement of the plant.

The Dragon tree can also grow in dim light or in filtered light. It can also grow on partially shaded areas but not in areas where there is full sun exposure. The plant is susceptible to full sun exposure.

The preferable places to receive light indirectly are through the East or South-facing windows and the tilted balcony door. These places mentioned above are highly recommended places to let the Dragon tree survive and thrive.

What’s the Right Temperature?

The temperature requirement of the Dragon tree is the same as that of the tropical temperature. Meaning that it could only best thrive and tolerate conditions at 59-86 degrees Fahrenheit (15-30 degrees Celsius). 

These recommended temperatures are enough for the plant to survive and thrive well in the area where it was planted. The Draco is best to be placed outdoors during the summer and spring seasons. On the other hand, the Draco is best placed indoors during the winter and fall seasons.

Humidity

The Dracaena draco requires a high level of humidity. High humidity encourages the plant to grow well and to thrive easily, making it easier for propagation for the next year or two.

To ensure a consistent and higher humidity level, you may use a humidifier or a container with pebble filled with water. Because the humidity is higher around big-leaved plants, you can also add another big-leaved buddy to your Dracaena draco.

Fertilizing

Mineral salts from chemical fertilizers are toxic to your Dracaenas, so avoid them at all costs! In the Spring and Summer, use a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to 50% strength once a month. During the autumn and winter, no fertilizer is required.

Pro tip: To avoid overfeeding your Dragon Tree, stick to a fertilizer plan or timetable.

Propagation

To propagate a Dracaena can be obtained in two ways: from the top or through stem cuttings. Because both techniques of growing new Dracaena plants take root fast, the grower’s preference in Dracaena plant propagation is all that matters.

Here’s how you will do it: 

Remove a branching trunk up to 1m (39 inches) long from the node and plant in a sandy mix in full sun. Secure it so it doesn’t move, and be careful not to break the growing tip. Soak the cutting segments in water or soil. Place the containers in warm zones that get some indirect sunshine.

Growth Zone

In USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, Dracaena draco can be grown outside. Dragon Trees can withstand temperatures as low as 34 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius) for short periods, but not for long.

Potting

When re-potting the Dragon’s blood plant, it is vital to do it every Spring and Summer. The plant will take 15 years before it could be fully mature. This umbrella plant is not ideal decor for your room. The umbrella plant is better when planted outdoors, like in the gardens. Since this umbrella-like plant grows slower, pruning the plant is necessary when the branches and leaves are overgrowing in your gardens.

Pruning

This plant does not need to be pruned for shape. However, dead leaves should be removed as soon as they develop. When pruning your Dragon Tree, the first thing to remember is to be very careful around its trunk, especially if it is an older tree. This is because Dracaena draco bark is susceptible and may bleed a red resin if damaged. After the cut has healed, the scar that results will endure a lifetime. So trimming these leaves is largely unnecessary.

Dracaena Draco Varieties and Similar Plants

There are approximately 120 species of Draco plants. One of which is the Draco dracaena. Here are some of the examples of the evergreen mentioned above tree species or varieties that have a bit similarity to the Dragon’s blood plants:

Dracaena Marginata

The green tree grows up to 3 meters. The trunk can branch into two or three large branches, and on each of them, there are long, densely growing, narrow leaves dropping downwards. This variety of Dracaena Dragon Tree remotely resembles a palm tree. There are other types of this plant: Tricolor, Bicolor, and Magenta.

Dracaena Reflexa

This Dragon Tree type leaves grow directly from the stem; they are bright green with a yellow stripe and tilted towards the root. When the plant is watered and fertilized in time, its leaves joyfully rise.

Dracaena Godseffiana 

This plant is distinguished by its beauty and quick shoot formation. Leaves of this Dragon Tree species are oval and spotted; they densely cover the shrub. Such Dracaena is the decoration of any house, office, and public place.

Dracaena Draco Diseases & Pests

Dracaena trees can be infested with various pests, so knowing how to treat them naturally is crucial. Spider mites are sucking insects that wreak havoc on the plants. Spray the plant with insecticides for houseplants to get rid of them. An insecticide containing pyrethrin is effective against mealybugs and scale insects.

Dragon trees are susceptible to two forms of diseases: root rot and fungal infection. When the soil has an awful odor and mold appears, you’ll know there’s a problem with root rot. Mold will grow in the roots as well.

If this occurs, the moist soil must be removed, the tree must be removed (if possible), and the afflicted roots must be cut. For at least two days, don’t water the stem, and locate the pot in the garden where the soil is suitable for your Dracaena plants.