Dracaena draco aka Dragontree
Taxonomy
Dracaena draco, also known as the Canary Islands dragon tree or drago, is a slow-growing, strong subtropical tree belonging to the Asparagaceae family. It is native to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira, western Morocco, and is thought to have been introduced in the Azores. It is easily identified by its broad crowns, topped by thin, pointed grey-green leaves that grow up to 60 cm (1.9 ft) long and up to 4 cm (1.5 in) wide. The flowers are small, grow in bunches and begin to bloom after the tree is at least 8 years old, usually in the summer. It produces small, orange edible fruits that look like cherries. The genus name Dracaena comes from the Greek for ‘female dragon’, as many plants in this genus have thick, red resin which is reminiscent of dragon blood. Dracaenas are super easy to care for, as they can go months without water and can grow well in low sunlight.
Common names
Dragontree, Canary Island Dragon Tree, Canary Islands Dragon TreeHow to care for Dragontree
Difficulty
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Dragontree is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
Water
Dragontree does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.
Soil
Dragontree loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
Dragontree requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Canary Island Dragon Tree is always in the right place to thrive.
Dormancy
During the cold period, it is common for Dragontree to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.
Humidity
Dragontree plants thrive in dry environments, however, if you choose to provide extra humidity or mist your plant, the lingering water on the leaves can create an ideal environment for certain types of harmful fungi.
Fertilizer
The Dragontree grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.
Region of origin
Dragontree’s native range is Africa to Southern Asia and Australia.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Dracaena Genus
Dracaena aletriformis Large Leaved Dragon Tree
Dracaena massangeana
Dracaena reflexa brevituba Dracaena Reflexa Var Brevituba
Dracaena braunii Lucky Bamboo
Dracaena aubryana Garden Corn Plant
Dracaena surculosa surculosa Gold Dust Dracaena
Dracaena angustifolia Don Kayu Sugih
