The dragon tree is a very popular houseplant due to its evergreen leaves and, under the right conditions, can also be placed on a balcony that is not too hot in summer. If you can't get enough of this relatively easy-care plant, growing offshoots is also easily possible for hobby gardeners.
How do you grow dragon tree cuttings?
To grow dragon tree cuttings, cut a 20-30 cm long cutting, remove some of the lower leaves and let it dry for 24 hours. Then place the cutting in water or suitable soil until it forms roots after about 3-4 weeks.
Reasons for propagation by cuttings
Dragon trees generally only bloom rarely, as certain factors such as a certain age of the plant, a cooler temperature and a certain level of dryness must prevail for flowering. This makes propagation via the plant's seeds not only tedious but also difficult. Material for cuttings can also arise all by itself in the dragon tree if, for example, it is in a location in the apartment that is not bright enough. The plant then tends to form a long and relatively bare “trunk” as it tries to stretch towards daylight. By pruning the dragon tree and taking cuttings at the same time, you can achieve a more compact and sometimes branched growth habit for the plants.
Choose the right time and care for the mother plant properly
So that the cut head and stem cuttings receive enough light and heat during the root formation phase, propagation should take place in summer if possible. Use a sharp knife or, better yet, well-sharpened secateurs to make a clean cut through the stem of the plant with a straight cut. The cut cuttings should, if possible, be 20 to 30 centimeters long. There are usually only several levels of leaves at the top of the dragon tree anyway. If your cutting is cut rather tightly, it may be a good idea to remove some of the lower leaves to ensure successful rooting. You can protect the interface on the mother plant from invading pathogens with a little charcoal dust or a layer of wax dripped on until new shoots have formed again below the drying out trunk tip a few weeks later.
The cuttings need to be placed correctly
So that the still rootless offshoots can form roots in peace, they should if possible not be placed in the blazing sun. In general, the dragon tree should never be left in full sun all day, otherwise it can cause sunburn and brown leaves. Like the rooted specimens, offshoots of the dragon tree also appreciate high humidity or regular spraying of the leaves with water. If you want the cuttings to form roots in water, you should choose a light-tight container in which the water should be changed every few days. The cuttings can also be inserted directly into suitable soil.
Creative ideas for growing dragon trees
You can also let your creativity run wild when propagating dragon trees. For example, the following design ideas are suitable:
- Plant cuttings of different dragon tree varieties in a pot
- arrange cuttings of different lengths as a “dragon tree ensemble”
- intertwine long, straight offshoots with the stems
Tip
Special rooting hormones are not necessary for the propagation of the dragon tree, as it already forms roots reliably after three to four weeks. It can be advantageous if you let the cuttings dry for about 24 hours before putting them in the water or soil.
