The name dragon tree is actually misleading, after all, this popular houseplant is not actually a tree at all. Nevertheless, over time, the plant from the asparagus family develops a small trunk that almost looks like a kind of palm tree in bonsai format.
How do I properly care for a dragon tree?
To optimally care for a dragon tree, it should be watered regularly and evenly, repotted annually and fertilized every 14 days during the summer months. In winter it needs less water, no fertilizer and a bright but not too warm location.
How often should a dragon tree be watered?
In terms of their natural distribution, the various species of dragon trees come primarily from the subtropics and tropics. They therefore not only like it relatively warm, but also evenly moist. Therefore, always make sure that your dragon tree never completely dries out in its pot. The easiest way to do this is with hydroponics. You can also use ordinary potting soil and check the moisture content as often as necessary. During the light summer months, the plant substrate should always be slightly moist on the surface and never dry and crumbly. Since the plant goes into a kind of hibernation in the winter, watering on a weekly basis is sufficient. Despite its constant need for water, the dragon tree does not like waterlogging at the roots, so water should never remain in the saucer.
When and how is the dragon tree repotted?
If you use commercially available potting soil to grow the dragon tree, it is advisable to repot it annually to counteract the compaction of this substrate. This can basically happen all year round. The dragon tree usually grows so compactly and slowly that it rarely needs to be repotted when it needs more space. If you want to do something good for your dragon tree when repotting, you can check the pH value of the soil in the pot. Since the dragon tree likes it to be slightly acidic, the pH value should be around 6 if possible. To prevent the risk of rotting of the roots due to waterlogging, you can add a good third of the following materials to the standard potting soil:
- Pumice gravel or lava granules
- clayey soil
- coarse-grained sand
When repotting, you should be careful not to damage the root ball as much as possible and only carefully knock off any adhering soil.
Can the dragon tree be cut?
Many people doubt that the dragon tree, with its thin trunk and leaves attached to the crown, can really be cut. This plant is surprisingly easy to cut. This is a good thing, after all, if the dragon tree is in a location that is too shady in the room, it can tend to become bald due to the lack of light. In such a case, simply take a pair of sharp and clean planting scissors (€9.00 on Amazon) and cut the trunk at the desired height with a clean cut. You can seal the interface at the top with a little wax. After a short time, new leaves will form below the interface. In this way, not only can the dragon tree branch out more strongly, the cut pieces of the “trunk” can also be used as material for propagation through cuttings.
Which pests attack the dragon tree?
Spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs can occasionally appear on dragon trees. If the infestation becomes too severe, the plants can be immersed in water or removed from the annoying pests with a spray bottle. To ensure that the leaves continue to shine beautifully even under good location conditions, they should be regularly cleaned of adhering dust using a slightly damp and soft cloth.
Are there diseases that can threaten the dragon tree?
As houseplants and very easy-care plants, dragon trees are generally not really affected by diseases. Deficiency symptoms are more common as a result of care errors. This can be the case, for example, if your dragon tree is in direct sunlight or too close to a radiator. Even very dark locations are difficult for a dragon tree to tolerate. If your dragon tree's leaves hang unattractively despite sufficient water supply, this could be a sign that the location is too cold. Temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius are ideal and should prevail relatively evenly. In winter it shouldn't get colder than around 16 degrees Celsius for the dragon tree.
How is the dragon tree optimally fertilized?
During the light summer months, you can fertilize the dragon tree about every 14 days with a suitable liquid fertilizer via the irrigation water. Alternatively, fertilizer sticks in the plant pot are also possible. During the winter months you should suspend fertilization.
What should you consider when caring for your dragon tree in winter?
The dragon tree grows in the wild in regions such as the Canary Islands, where it is almost equally warm and bright all year round. Accordingly, the dragon tree as a houseplant in this country should receive enough daylight even in winter. In principle, this plant can grow in the same place all year round, but the windowsill is rather unsuitable in winter due to the radiators underneath. Please note that the dragon tree should not be fertilized during winter rest and should be watered a little less if possible.
Tip
It looks particularly beautiful when different types of dragon trees are combined into a small group of houseplants. Species with more “colorful” leaves with a light or reddish border can tolerate more direct sunlight than dragon trees with purely green leaves.
