Care Instructions for the Madagascar Dragon Tree

The Madagascar dragon tree, or Dracaena marginata, is often grown as a houseplant in low-light areas. It resembles a palm tree, but is more closely related to the lily plant family. This Dracaena forms a woody trunk with long, narrow, spiky leaves with red to purple mottling. Although it can grow as tall as 20 feet, it rarely attains this height indoors, but responds well to pruning. Some people twist several trunks together to give this plant the look of a bonsai plant.

Pot
Potting soil
Plant saucer
Fertilizer
Spray bottle
Moisture meter

Instructions

- 1
  Plant your dragon tree in standard potting soil in a container slightly larger than its nursery pot. Use a pot that has at least one drainage hole, and set it on a plant saucer if you need to protect your furniture or carpet.
- 2
  Keep your dragon tree in an area that receives low to moderate sunlight. The plant will begin to lose the reddish accent color on its leaves if the amount of light in its environment is insufficient.
- 3
  Mist your dragon tree lightly with water every day to increase the humidity in its growing area.
- 4
  Allow the potting soil to dry out between waterings. Check the soil moisture with a moisture meter you insert about one-third of the way to the bottom of the dragon tree’s pot.
- 5
  Fertilize your dragon tree with balanced plant food once every two weeks from spring through summer. Choose a plant food with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 or 13-13-13: these numbers indicate the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium found in plant food.

How to Grow an African Moringa Tree Indoors

My Over-Watered Snake Plant Needs Help

Indoor Growing