Care for a Red Dracaena

Position the red dracaena pot in an area with bright light but out of direct sunlight. Although red dracaena plants can survive in lower light, they don’t thrive and growth slows greatly. Exposure to direct sunlight results in burned brown spots on the leaves.

Water the red dracaena once a week by placing the pot into a sink filled 2 inches deep with water. Allow the pot to soak until the top of the soil is completely moist and then drain the water out of the sink. Allow the pot to sit for another five to 10 minutes to allow extra water to drain out.

Fill a spray bottle with tap water and spray a fine mist on the red dracaena leaves every two to three days to increase the humidity near the plants.

Fertilize the dracaena once per month from spring through the end of summer. Apply a balanced 10-10-10 water-soluble fertilizer to the pot using only the dosage indicated in the instructions.

Examine the leaves closely for signs of insect activity, such as webs or holes. The most common dracaena insects are mites, mealy bugs and scale. If insects are detected, spray the foliage with an insecticide containing pyrethrin.