Dracaena marginata aka Dragon Tree

Taxonomy

Dracaena Marginata, also known as the "song of India" or "song of Jamaica," is an evergreen perennial plant native to Madagascar and other nearby islands of the Indian Ocean. It is a slow-growing tree or shrub that can reach up to 10 ft. 4.5-6 (3 m.) in height and is widely grown as an ornamental plant and houseplant. The plant attracts attention with its glossy, bright-colored, long leaves that have a knife-like shape. Dracaenas are a part of the Asparagaceae family and are known for being easy to care for. The genus name, Dracaena, comes from the Greek for "female dragon," as some plants in this genus have thick, red resin that resembled dragon blood. Dracaenas are native to Africa, Asia, and northern Australia and can go months without water while still growing well in low sunlight.

Common names

Dragon Tree, Dracaena, Magenta Dracaena, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Marginata

How to care for Dragon Tree

Difficulty

Caring for Dragon Tree is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Dragon Tree does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

Dragon Tree 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.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Dragon Tree 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

Dragon Tree 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 Dragon Tree 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

Dragon Tree’s native range is Africa to Southern Asia and Australia.


More info:
Wikipedia