Dragon trees are not actually trees at all, but as tree-shaped plants they only have a woody trunk with or without branches. While ancient dragon trees can reach considerable dimensions in nature, the specimens cultivated as houseplants are much more compact.
How big does a dragon tree get as a houseplant?
Dragon trees reach a height of 1.5 to 2.5 meters as houseplants. Their growth depends on the location, with more light they grow slower and more compact. If necessary, size adjustment is possible by cutting at the desired height.
The different dimensions of different dragon trees
In the Canary Islands and especially in the holiday paradise of Tenerife, centuries-old dragon trees can be found in nature, some of which have reached a height of almost 20 meters. These dimensions are hardly imaginable if the offshoot of a dragon tree is cared for in the house over a few years. Rooted dragon tree cuttings initially grow relatively slowly and only reach a height of around 1.5 to 2.5 meters after many years.
How height growth can be influenced
For he althy growth, dragon trees need a suitable location with:
- sufficient light, but if possible in the room without direct sunlight
- Protection from drafts
- a relatively constant temperature
- always slightly moist, but not too wet soil
While some plants grow faster in sunnier locations, the situation is the opposite with the dragon tree. The darker the location of the dragon tree, the more it will stretch towards the supposed daylight.
The easy way to reduce the size of the dragon trees
Now, if necessary, the height growth of a dragon tree can be specifically stimulated in a relatively dark location. Conversely, it is not particularly difficult to reduce the size of a dragon tree that is too large: these extraordinary plants can be cut at any height without any problems possible. Simply cut the gray stem at the desired height with sharp secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon) and a new leaf crown will soon form just below the cut point.
Tip
Even the compactly growing species of the dragon tree are probably not visually what true bonsai experts imagine a miniature tree to be. Nevertheless, the dragon tree is very popular as a houseplant because it grows compactly like a bonsai without any special care and has an excitingly exotic appearance.
