Dracaena Marginata Plant Care Guide

Dracaena Marginata, is a perennial ornamental plant with beautiful red leaves, which often grows as a potted plant. Dracaena Marginata is easy to grow and can live for a long time. The following are details on how to care for and propagate Dracaena Marginata Plant.

Dracaena Marginata Characteristics

Dracaena Marginata stems are erect. Leaves broadly linear, fascicled, 30 -- 40 cm high and 5 -- 10 cm wide. Dracaena Marginata leaves are long elliptic or lanceolate in shape. Dracaena Marginata flowers are aromatic and prefer to bloom at night. There are two flowering periods a year. Dracaena Marginata is shade tolerant and drought tolerant, prefers high temperature and humidity, and should be warm and sheltered from wind in winter.

Dracaena Marginata Plant Care 

Dracaena Marginata Watering

Dracaena Marginata watering can be carried out according to the state of the basin soil. If the soil is dry, water it; if it is wet, do not water it.
As Dracaena Marginata likes humidity, the tips of leaves will dry under low humidity. Water mist can also be used to spray the leaves during watering to increase humidity. Reduce watering during the winter and it is best to let them dormant for better growth next year.
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Dracaena Marginata Light Requirements

Dracaena Marginata is shade tolerant, but Dracaena Marginata has a high demand for light during its growth. Lack of light can lead to yellow and dry leaves, so proper light should be provided to plants when caring for Dracaena Marginata which can let the plant carry out photosynthesis normally. At the same time, when providing the Dracaena Marginata plant with light, we need to pay attention to the intensity of light, so as not to burn the plant leaves. Too strong or too dark light can make leaves lose color.
Read More:
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Dracaena Marginata Temperature

The Dracaena Marginata doesn't have a very strict temperature requirement and basically it can withstand kinds of conditions as long as it's not too extreme. Dracaena Marginata likes high temperature and humidity conditions. In winter, it should be warm and sheltered from wind. The optimum temperature for growing dracaena Marginata is about 20 ~ 28℃. The dormancy temperature of Dracaena Marginata is 5℃. Temperature car in winter is the key to the success of Dracaena Marginata growing. Low temperature can cause leaf loss, so it should be placed in a warm and sheltered place in winter.

Dracaena Marginata Soil

Dracaena Marginata prefers to grow in rich, loose, well-drained, humus-rich sandy soil. After planting, the soil should be loosened and weeded frequently to keep the soil porous and breathable, so that the root system of Dracaena Marginata breathes better and is conducive to plant growth.
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Dracaena Marginata Fertilizer

The growth of Dracaena Marginata is dependent on nutrients, and it is necessary to fertilise the plant regularly. When the soil becomes lighter, fertiliser can be put into the soil, and when the soil becomes darker, fertiliser can be sprayed on the leaves. Nutrients can increase the growth rate of Dracaena Marginata. Make plants grow more vigorously. Fertilize twice a month, or three or four times a month for older plants.

Dracaena Marginata Pruning

Dracaena Marginata grows very fast and proper pruning will encourage growth while maintaining its ornamental value. Pruning in Early spring is the basic requirement of how to trim Dracaena Marginata. It should be done sooner rather than later. When the top tip is about 30cm long, it should be picked again when it has a predetermined height, in order to control its growth height.
Pruning Dracaena Marginata during the growing period is mainly to remove some aged branches and thin twigs, and then comb the closest side twigs to the main twigs, about 20cm to 35cm. It should be pruned from bottom to top, so as to ensure the beauty of the plant. In addition, some overlong branches should be cut even with other branches.
Pruning Dracaena Marginata during winter mainly helps to lay a foundation for later growth. Generally, some new branches are pruned, and withered or yellow branches and leaves should be timely cut. In addition, Dracaena Marginata pruning should be done according to the shape of the plant, and the perennial branches should also be cut short to maintain the balance of growth.
Generally, dracaena marginata pruning is mainly carried out on sunny days, and should not be carried out in rainy weather. In winter, pruning should be carried out in a greenhouse or warm indoor. After pruning, it should be placed in a sunny place to facilitate the photosynthesis of leaves and branches and promote the germination of new buds. (Find more indoor plants for low light here.)

Dracaena Marginata Repotting

When growing Dracaena Marginata, it should be paid attention to the problem of repottingl. The soil for Dracaena Marginata needs to be changed every one or two years. The root system needs to be pruned at the same time as the soil is changed.

Dracaena Marginata Propagation

Dracaena Marginata can be propagated from cuttings and layering. (Read More about Dracaena Marginata Propagation.)

Cutting Propagation

Cutting propagation is one of the commonly used propagation methods for Dracaena Marginata. The advantage of cutting propagation is to retain the characteristics of the original plant. So there are certain requirements for the original plant, preferably strong branches and leaves without pests and diseases. Cutting time is usually in early summer to fall. Cut a section of branches from the top of the plant, length between 10-15 cm, remove the lower leaves, and insert them into the sand.

Layering Propagation

Dracaena Marginata can also be propagated using the layering method. Layering time is generally in early summer. Select a robust main stem, from the top of the 20 cm to girdle, width in about 1 cm. Then cover the girdling area with moist moss and root in about 40 days. When the temperature is suitable, separate plants can be planted.

Dracaena Marginata Uses

Medicinal Value

All parts of the Dracaena Marginata are available to us. Flowers, leaves, and even roots can be used medicinally, with heat dissipation, hemostasis and other effects, and the effect is relatively good. Dracaena Marginata can help treat diseases including diarrhea, hemoptysis and blood in the urine. Even when people accidentally fall and hurt themselves, the plant can be used to treat them.

Purify Environment

Dracaena Marginata's effect on the environment is certainly not unique to Dracaena Marginata, which is found in many plants, but is more pronounced. Put a Dracaena Marginata at home, which sucks up harmful substances in the air, such as formaldehyde and toluene, and converts them into something harmless. Dracaena Marginata is a good option for improving air quality, especially in newly renovated homes.

Adjust Mood

The plant has this kind of effect commonly, whenever overworked or the mood is very bad. Look at the beautiful Dracaena Marginata plant for a while, you will feel better!

Dracaena Marginata Care FAQs

Dracaena Marginata Root Rot

Plant Dracaena Marginata is prone to root rot due to uncontrolled watering and improper fertilization. If Dracaena Marginata can be accurately diagnosed in the early and middle stages of root rot, and effective measures can be taken, it is expected that some plants will not die.
When identifying the root rot of Dracaena Marginata, the following measures should be taken: remove the plant from the pot, remove the peripheral soil, find the root rot, use scissors to cut off the root rot from the base, then disinfect the wound with 0.1% potassium permanganate solution, or apply clean grass ash to the wound, and then change the pot or plant in the ground. When replanting the Dracaena Marginata plant, the wounds and severely damaged roots should be surrounded by clean wet sand and covered with clean planting soil to encourage the germination of new roots at the wounds. At the same time, the Dracaena Marginata is intensely pruned, sometimes removing 80% to 90% of the foliage to ensure its survival. In the process of plant restoration growth, keep basin soil wet and spray to dry branches often. Do not fertilize and overwater the plant in case of root rot again.

Dracaena Marginata Brown Tips

Dracaena Marginata brown tips can be infected with leaf spot disease. In this situation, you need to cut off the disease leaf and spray with zinc and bactericidal agents at the beginning of the disease. Brown tip may also be led by anthrax, so the leaves are destroyed. Spray with carbendazim and methyl topzin solution. It may also be caused by sunburn in summer. Move the Dracaena Marginata plant to shade and cool place with scattering light, avoiding direct light.

Dracaena Marginata Leaves Pointing Down

There are many reasons why Dracaena Marginata leaves pointing down. When the soil is dry, there will be leaf pointing down. The slender leaves without the support of water are easy to pointing down. Water the plant in time. Root rot by watering too much will also lead to leaf pointing down. Take out the plant and trim the rot root timely. Dracaena Marginata likes high temperature environment, but when the temperature is too high in summer, there will be pointing down phenomenon.

Dracaena Marginata Drooping

There are many reasons why Dracaena Marginata drooping. If the soil is dry or waterlogged for a long time, the plant will wither. It may also be caused by long time high temperature exposure in summer. The appropriate shade for it is required, or move the Dracaena Marginata plant to the position of indoor astigmatism. Low temperature in winter also can lead to the Dracaena Marginata drooping.

Is Dracaena Marginata Toxic Cats & Dogs

Dracaena Marginata is non-toxic to humans, cats and dogs. Its flowers and fragrance are also not harmful, and it's a beautiful shape that makes it a great option for houseplants, as well as medicinal plants. Its leaves, flowers and roots can be used as chinese medicine, with the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying hemostasis.
Read More: Is Dracaena Marginata Toxic to Cats?

Dracaena Marginata Growth Rate

Many people grow Dracaena Marginata, but it's not clear how tall Dracaena Marginata grows in a year. In fact, Dracaena Marginata can grow 30cm in a year under normal conditions, which makes it a vigorous and attractive target for viewing. Because the growth rate of Dracaena Marginata is not slow, it needs to be pruned after it grows to a certain height during maintenance to avoid the effect of too long branches of Dracaena Marginata. It can also be left to grow naturally, and its original variety can reach a height of more than ten meters, which is also a tall tree.

Dracaena Marginata Overwatered

Dracaena Marginata prefers hot, rainy climates, and of course it needs much water. The soil in the basin should always be moist, as lack of water can cause the leaves to fall off. However, the water should not be too much, if overwater Dracaena Marginata, it will also lead to the consequences of falling leaves or leaves yellow.
Dracaena Marginata Overwatered Measures

• Observe whether there is root rot, if not, turn the soil for ventilation, at noon when warm put outside in the shade blowing, after a few days to turn again
• If it rotted, clean rot root up and replace it with fresh soil. Don't water from above. Pour the water into the tray below and let it soak up.

Dracaena Marginata Underwatering

Dracaena Marginata is a wet-loving plant that grows well in semi-cloudy and humid climates, requiring air humidity above 80%. During high temperatures, evaporation is greater, the air is too dry, and plant leaves become dry due to lack of water. If Dracaena Marginata underwatering for a long time, it will make a large number of leaves wither, which can cause plant death seriously. After the problem occurs, place a humidifier around it or move it to a wetter area to care for.

​​Dracaena Marginata Leaves Falling Off

If the soil is not suitable for the plant to grow, and then the Dracaena Marginata will lose its leaves. Too much water or nutrients can also cause the Dracaena Marginata leaves to fall off, which can also occur when the Dracaena Marginata is exposed to too much light during its growth.
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