The fact that the dragon tree likes it to be relatively evenly warm all year round is not surprising given its natural distribution area. However, you should carefully dose the sunlight falling directly on the leaves when caring for the dragon tree as a houseplant.
Can a dragon tree stand in the sun?
Dragon trees prefer bright locations, but cannot tolerate direct sunlight. East or west facing windows with morning or evening sun are ideal. Partially shaded locations are also suitable. Regular spraying of the leaves helps against dry indoor air.
Better no place in the sun
The spot right next to the window, which is often favored for houseplants, is only a limited consideration for a dragon tree for various reasons:
- the direct sunlight is often too strong
- there may be strong temperature fluctuations
- The dry heating air is poorly tolerated by the dragon tree
Dragon trees do need some brightness for he althy growth, but they can also tolerate locations with a semi-shady character or a very indirect supply of natural daylight. Therefore, a place on a shelf or room divider can sometimes be a much more advantageous choice and preferable to a place on the windowsill. East- or west-facing windows with a few hours of morning or evening sun per day are ideal, but to compensate for the dry air from the heating, you should regularly spray the leaves with a little finely atomized water.
Different subspecies like and tolerate different levels of light
There are many different types of dragon trees on the market, some of which have very different leaf colors. If you have already selected a permanent location for greening, you can also take the respective location and light needs into account when selecting the variety. The rule of thumb is that species with more pronounced variegation (the markings on the leaves with lighter edges, etc.) generally tolerate and prefer more light than dragon trees with relatively green leaves. This is because the less green leaves also contain less chlorophyll.
Occasional turning maneuvers make sense
Dragon trees have the peculiarity that their shoot tips always grow in the direction of the greatest brightness. This can result in plant growth leaning to the side on a window, for example. To prevent this situation, simply rotate the dragon tree in the pot a little every one to two weeks or every time you water it.
Tip
It is generally possible to give dragon trees some fresh air on a balcony that is not too sunny in summer. However, you must first gradually accustom the plants to the increased sunlight or provide appropriate shading, otherwise “sunburn” will quickly lead to brown spots and, as a result, the leaves falling off.