The Dracaena marginata or Madagascar dragon tree is an easy-care indoor houseplant. If you live in a warm area with mild winters, this colorful tree can also be grown outdoors all year round. Dracaena marginata should get a mix of sun exposure, shade, and enough water (but not too much!). You can propagate this plant by cuttings or from seed if you like a challenge. And if you like cheerful colors like reds and yellows, choose another Dracaena marginata cultivar to brighten up your home or garden.
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Method 1 of 5: Selecting the Dracaena marginata
Step 1. Choose the original Dracaena marginata variety
These are original plants that are cultivated into new cultivars. The original Dracaena marginata has a thin reddish-purple stripe on the green leaf margins.
Step 2. Choose a tricolor marginata cultivar to get a greenish-gold plant
This plant has a yellowish white stripe on its leaves that separates the red from the green. Even from a distance, the tricolor marginata leaves will appear white or yellow.
Step 3. Choose the marginata colorama cultivar if you like reddish plants
This is perhaps the most unique cultivar. Its red outline is very striking, making it look red or pink.
Step 4. Plant the Tarzan marginata cultivar if you like spiky leaves
Marginata Tarzan has the same color pattern as the original marginata, but the leaves are slightly different. This plant has a leaf pattern that is wider and stronger than other cultivars. Clumps of leaves that grow will form a circle and oblong.
Method 2 of 5: Caring for Dracaena marginata Indoors
Step 1. Choose a bright place with indirect sun exposure
Planting marginata trees in full sun will burn the leaves. To avoid this problem, place the plant in front of a north-facing window and near a west or east facing window. Plants should not be too close to a south-facing window.
If the color of the leaves begins to fade, it means that the plant lacks light. If this happens, move it to the front of an east or west facing window and keep an eye on the leaves. Burnt leaves will appear brown and dry at the tips
Step 2. Use well-draining soil in a pot with drainage holes
Although Dracaena marginata likes moisture, its roots can rot if the soil is too wet. Prepare ornamental plant pots that are twice as large as the root tissue. Fill it with well-drained soil until the pot is half full. Place the tree in the center of the pot, then add the remaining soil until the pot is full. Use distilled water to thoroughly water the roots.
You can buy potted trees from a flower shop. Just leave the plant there until it grows big and needs to be moved
Step 3. Water only when the topsoil is visibly dry
Stick your finger into the ground. If the surface and a few inches of soil below feel dry to the touch, water the plant with distilled water until it is completely wet. Observe the soil for the next watering period.
- Fortunately, signs of overwatering can be seen from the leaves. If the leaves fall off and turn yellow, it means the plant needs more water. If it's just yellowish at the tips, it's possible that the plant is over-watering.
- When leaf bases brown or fall off, this is a natural process. The leaves are old and will grow new ones.
Step 4. Keep the temperature around 24 °C, except during winter
If you prefer a warm home temperature, Dracaena marginata can also grow in room temperature up to around 27 °C. When it gets cold outside, lower the temperature indoors or in the room where the plant is located by a few degrees. Lowering the room temperature will give the plant a period of rest. However, do not lower the temperature below 18 °C.
Step 5. Spray water lightly on the leaves regularly to reduce the risk of pests
Dracaena marginata is susceptible to attack by a number of insects, including the glasshouse red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch), trips, scale insects (barnacle insects). If you keep the air around the tree moist by spraying water at least 1-2 times a week, this pest outbreak can be prevented. However, if you see speckled leaves or yellowish bumps on the underside of the leaves, it means that the tree has been attacked by pests.
- Ask people at your local nursery or search the internet for the right pesticides for this outbreak.
- You can also use natural pesticides, although this option will not be effective if the outbreak is severe.
Step 6. Apply fertilizer for houseplants once a month, except in winter
During spring and winter, you can stimulate the growth of Dracaena marginata with a standard fertilizer for houseplants. Choose a water soluble fertilizer that can be diluted to 50% concentration. Do not apply fertilizer during fall and winter to give the tree a period of rest.
Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package for the correct dosage for the plant. You may need to make a solution with a ratio of 1 part water to 1 part fertilizer
Step 7. Prune Dracaena marginata in spring or summer to make it more lush
Use sharp, clean shears to trim the plant if there are weak stems or shoots. Pruning will prevent the plant from growing longer, drooping stems. Prune the shoots at an angle at the base of the stem.
- Do not prune the plant in late summer, fall, or winter. The plant should have time to grow new shoots before it begins to go into dormancy.
- Save these trunk pieces to plant a new tree!
Step 8. Remove Dracaena marginata if the roots are too crowded
Check the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot regularly. When the roots are out of the hole, it's time to move the plant into a new pot. Choose a pot that is wider and deeper than 5 cm from the old pot. Tilt the old pot then gently remove the tree. Prune the root tips to stimulate growth in the new pot.
- The new pot should have drainage holes, then fill it halfway with well-drained soil before inserting the plant. Fill the pot with more soil, then water it with distilled water.
- If the tree won't come out of the pot, straighten the curled roots with your hands. You can also gently tap the bottom and sides of the pot, then tilt the pot.
- Wait at least a month to fertilize the removed tree.
Method 3 of 5: Growing Dracaena marginata Outside
Step 1. Find out what the climate is in the area where you live, whether the conditions are suitable for growing Dracaena marginata outside
For the Americas, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a map containing information about the temperature and growing conditions in the various zones there. Dracaena marginata can only be grown year-round in zones 10 and 11 located on the coast of Southern California and the tip of South Florida.
This map is very useful for planters living in America, but other countries (such as Australia) have also created similar maps using temperature benchmarks. Look online for information on growing zones in your area
Step 2. Grow Dracaena marginata indoors and outdoors if you live in a cold climate
If you live in zones 8 or 9 in America, plants can be kept outdoors during the spring and summer, and moved indoors once temperatures drop. Optimally, this plant requires temperatures above 18 °C. So, immediately put it in the house if the temperature starts to drop in early fall. If you live in a tropical area like Indonesia, this tree can be planted outside all year round.
You can also keep the marginata outdoors in the summer months in the USDA zone of north America. However, keep an eye on the weather. If the night temperature drops below 16 -18 °C, the plant may stop growing or die
Step 3. Plant the tree in a partially shaded area
Dracaena marginata should get 4-6 hours of sun exposure every day. In order not to burn, the tree must also be in the shade for several hours.
Notice when the leaves dry out and the tips are brown. This means that the plant is exposed to too much sun. Yellowing leaves mean the plant needs more sunlight
Step 4. Choose a place with good drainage
To test drainage, dig a hole in the soil and fill it completely with water. Let the water absorb, then fill the hole again. If all the water has absorbed in less than 15 minutes, it means that the soil has good drainage. If the water takes more than 1 hour (or even more than 6 hours) to absorb, then the soil drainage is very slow.
If soil drainage doesn't need to be significantly improved, just add compost and weathered manure to improve it. For severe drainage problems, you may have to invest in an underground pipe to remove excess water
Step 5. Dig a hole that is twice the size of the root tissue
Measure the diameter of the root tissue to get the right hole size. Place the marginata in the center of the hole, then fill the hole with soil. Compact the soil before watering with distilled water.
You can also grow Dracaena marginata in pots outdoors
Step 6. Water regularly for 3 weeks, then once a week
Water the soil around the marginata 2 to 3 times a week while the plant adjusts to its new pot. After about 20 days, reduce the frequency of watering to once a week. If the soil is wet, reduce the frequency of watering. Wait until the soil is dry, then water again.
- If you experience extreme dry conditions, water more often. Watch for yellowing leaves at the tips to see if the plant is overwatering. If the leaves fall, watering often.
- If the leaves just turn brown or yellow and fall off from the base of the stem, this is a natural process. New, healthy leaves will grow on it.
Method 4 of 5: Breeding Dracaena marginata by Cuttings
Step 1. Cut stems from mature trees to propagate them in an easy way
Growing Dracaena marginata from cuttings has a greater chance of success than from seed. Seeds can be more difficult to handle and sometimes don't germinate well.
If you want to plant marginata cuttings indoors, cuttings can be done at any time of the year. However, if you want to mimic natural growing conditions, cut the tree in the summer
Step 2. Choose healthy stems that grew the previous year
Choose stems that have nice thick leaves on the shoots. Stems to be cut must be mature and not just growing from the ground. Marginata stems must also be tall enough to grow new shoots. Cut stems 20 to 30 cm high.
Step 3. Cut the bottom of the stem straight across
Leave the tops alone as the foliage will help provide nutrients to the plant. Leaves will allow the process of photosynthesis to occur more.
Step 4. Put the base of the stem into a container of water
Place the cut end of the stem facing down and soak it in distilled water to a depth of 10-15 cm. To prevent bacterial growth, change the water every 5 - 7 days. Make sure the height of the soaked stems remains the same.
Step 5. Provide a heat source and apply root hormone
The heat source must come from under the plant, such as from a heating lamp. The use of heat and hormones will increase the success rate of marginata growth.
Follow the instructions for using root hormone as stated on the package label
Step 6. Wait for the roots to appear after a few weeks
New shoots on the top of the plant may take a while to grow, but roots will begin to grow after 10 - 20 days. The roots that emerge will look like small white curls. After this, the rooted stems can be transferred into separate containers filled with ready-to-plant soil for ornamental plants.
Method 5 of 5: Growing Dracaena marginata from Seed
Step 1. Grow Dracaena marginata from seed if you can't find a mature tree that can be cut
While this one method works, you may need to try it a few times until it works. Some tree varieties are difficult to grow from seed, as is Dracaena marginata. If you want a challenge, this option is for you!
You can buy Dracaena marginata seeds online, but they may cost more than mature trees
Step 2. Plant the seeds indoors before the last frost at 18 - 20 °C
Planting seeds at this time will mimic the plant's natural growth cycle and help stimulate germination.
Step 3. Soak the seeds for 4-5 days before planting
Place the seeds in a bowl of warm water. You don't need to change the water every day. Frequent water changes will also interfere with the germination process.
Step 4. Bury the seeds in a small pot with ready-to-plant soil
Fill the pot with seed growth-stimulating compost or a mixture of all-purpose compost and perlite in equal ratios. Compress the compost by hand. Use distilled water to moisten the soil until the water runs out of the hole in the bottom of the pot. Then, plant 1 to 2 seeds in a pot, bury it with a little soil.
- Seeds do not need to be covered with soil more than 5 mm.
- Seed growth-stimulating compost is better than all-purpose compost, but both can be used.
- Leave a distance of at least 1 finger width between the seeds.
Step 5. Cover the pot with plastic to keep it moist
Place the pot in a resealable plastic bag. Label the bag with the plant name and planting date. Check the soil more or less every day to make sure it remains moist. If the soil looks dry, water it.
Step 6. Wait 30 - 40 days for the seeds to germinate
Successful germination will be seen in about 1 month. Once the saplings are old enough to handle, you can carefully transfer them to a separate small pot filled with damp, ready-to-use soil. Place the plant indoors until the leaves grow and harden a little.
Warning
- Dracaena marginata is very sensitive to fluoride. That is why this plant is better watered with distilled water.
- Dracaena marginata is toxic to dogs and cats. So, consider choosing another type of indoor houseplant if you have pets.
