Dracaena marginata: care, propagation & toxicity
The Madagascar dragon tree is a robust and low-maintenance houseplant whose leaves resemble those of a palm tree.
Madagascar dragon trees (Dracaena marginata syn. Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia) are attractive, tropical plants. Read on to find out everything about Dracaena marginata care, with tips on the optimal location and how to propagate this tropical plant.
Contents
Dracaena marginata: origin and characteristics
Dracaena marginata originates from the western islands of the Indian Ocean, including Madagascar, Mauritius and the Maldives. As such, it is commonly known as the Madagascar dragon tree. It is a very popular houseplant species in the dragon tree genus (Dracaena) and belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae).
What makes this tropical plant a real eye-catcher are its dark green, shiny leaves, which have red edges and grow up to 40cm long. Dracaena marginata owes its botanical name to this striking leaf margin. In an ideal location, it can grow to a height of between 150 and 200cm. In their natural habitat, Madagascar dragon trees flower in spring and early summer. Grape-like flowers appear in a striking magenta colour, which exude an intense and usually unpleasant odour.
How to plant Dracaena marginata: soil, location and co.
Madagascar dragon trees thrive in a bright location. Ideally, place yours by a window that receives morning or late afternoon sun. These plants will also survive in a slightly darker spot, but you may notice reduced growth and less intense leaf colouring. While these plants prefer temperatures around 18 °C, they will do just fine at 25 °C. Ensure that excess water can drain away easily by opting for a pot with drainage holes and adding a layer of horticultural grit to the bottom. The ideal Dracaena marginata soil should be well-draining, like our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost. Being peat-free, our all purpose compost is much more environmentally friendly than conventional potting composts. It also has a loose structure and a well-balanced nutrient ratio, helping Dracaena marginata to stay healthy and grow well.
- Perfect for all your house, garden & balcony plants
- For strong & healthy plants as well as an active soil life
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
Dracaena marginata care
Madagascar dragon trees are vigorous, low-maintenance and resilient. However, seeing as these plants originate from tropical and subtropical regions, they like to be warm all year round and are therefore not hardy.
Watering and fertilising
Dracaena marginata can survive with little water because its trunk acts as a reservoir. So, when it comes to watering, less is more. As with many plants, these plants do not tolerate waterlogging. As for how often to water Dracaena marginata, do so once thoroughly and then wait until about half of the pot’s compost has dried out before watering again.
These plants are in active growth from March to August, during which time they use more energy and nutrients. To help support their growth, use a liquid fertiliser for houseplants, such as our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food. Our animal-free liquid feed is quick and easy to apply and child and pet friendly. Find out all about how to fertilise dragon trees and how to recognise and prevent deficiency symptoms in our dedicated article.
- Perfect for a wide variety of houseplants & foliage plants
- Liquid fertiliser for robust plants & healthy growth
- Quick & easy application - child & pet friendly
Pruning Dracaena marginata
Dracaena marginata is extremely tolerant of pruning and is therefore easy to shape into the desired form. Pruning also encourages Madagascar dragon trees to grow vigorously. Early spring is the best time to prune it. When it comes to Dracaena marginata pruning, there are two options. Either cut off individual branches or prune back the entire stalk to 20 to 30cm tall. We recommend the latter for older specimens whose growth is no longer attractive. New branches will then sprout from the dormant nodes.
Tip: keep the plant parts you cut off to propagate your Madagascar dragon tree. We will explain how to use the cuttings below.
Repotting Dracaena marginata
A Madagascar dragon tree needs repotting at the latest when it becomes rootbound, which you can tell if you notice roots growing out of the drainage holes. To do this, carefully remove the dragon tree from the pot and shake off the old soil. At the same time, gently loosen the individual roots slightly. Place the plant in a 2 to 3cm larger pot and fill it with fresh compost. Generally, Dracaena marginata needs repotting every 2 to 4 years.
Propagating Dracaena marginata
Any pruned off parts of your Madagascar dragon tree can be used for propagation. To do this, fill small pots with a nutrient-poor compost like our Plantura Organic Herb & Seedling Compost and insert the plant cuttings. Make sure that the cuttings are at least 8 to 10cm long. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Alternatively, place the Madagascar dragon tree cuttings in a glass of water. It is important to change the water regularly. After around 3 weeks, new roots will form and you can pot up your new Madagascar dragon tree in a suitable compost.
- Perfect for herbs as well as sowing, propagating & transplanting
- For aromatic herbs & healthy seedlings with strong roots
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
Is it poisonous?
Dracaena marginata is classed as slightly poisonous, as all parts of the plant contain so-called saponins. These are are toxic to humans and animals alike, so keep Madagascar dragon trees out of reach of children and pets if there is a risk of ingestion. Especially if you have cats, you will want to think about where to keep your Dracaena marginata — felines may be tempted to play with and nibble on the long leaves.
Monstera minima (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma) is another easy-care and easy-to-grow houseplant. It can add a nice bit of green to bright locations as a climbing or hanging plant.
