Dracaena marginata is a popular indoor plant with long, slender green leaves edged with red. These plants are great for beginners because they’re drought tolerant and not at all fussy about their light conditions.
It’s the perfect combination of beauty and hardiness that makes a great houseplant!
Dracaena marginata is native to Madagascar and is also called the Madagascar dragon tree (or just dragon tree). This tree can grow up to 20 feet tall outdoors but won’t get taller than 6 feet indoors, especially if you prune it back. It’s a member of the dracaena family, which contains around 120 species of plants native to Africa, northern Australia, and South Asia.
Light
Dracaena marginata prefers bright, indirect light, but if you’re short on light in your home, no worries! This plant will also do just fine in lower light conditions, but it won’t grow as quickly or use water as efficiently. (So just be careful not to overwater.)
Keep your plant out of direct sunlight though, as this can burn the leaves.
Water
These plants are quite drought-resistant and don’t require a lot of water, so wait until the top half of the soil is completely dry before watering. Then, water thoroughly with distilled water, until water starts to run out the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
It’s important to use distilled water or another non-fluoridated water because fluoride and other salts in the water can cause the tips of dracaena’s leaves to get brown and crispy (and this goes for all species of dracaena). This is one of the most common issues with dracaena plants, but it’s an easy problem to fix!
Temperature and Humidity
Dracaena will be happy with temperatures in the 70-80 degree F. range, and they don’t require a lot of humidity. (See, we told you they were easy!) Keep your plant away from drafts and vents that could dry out the leaves, though.
Fertilizer
This plant grows mostly in the spring and summer, so you’ll want to fertilize a little during that time. A little Indoor Plant Food in your regular watering routine is perfect!