Straight-marginated Dracaena Dracaena marginata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Dracaena reflexa
- Phonetic Spelling
- dra-SEE-nah mar-jen-AY-tuh
- Description
-
Dragon Tree is a tough, drought-tolerant, slow-growing houseplant in temperate climates. In their native habitat, they can reach 20 feet but can be pruned to 6 feet for in the home setting. Pruned stems will usually grow 2 or more branches. The stems can be trained into different shapes for an Asian or architectural feel. They rarely bloom in the home.
Plant in well-draining potting mix and allow the plants to dry between waterings but not severely. Bright, indirect light is ideal. They have a low fertilizer requirement, so fertilize in spring, summer, and fall with a controlled-release formula. D. marginata is sensitive to fluoride (like most other Dracenas) which causes discoloration of leaves so use distilled or non-fluorinated water.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Mites, thrips, and chewing insects can be a problem. Susceptible to leaf spot diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- ‘Bicolor'
- 'Tricolor'
- ‘Bicolor'
- ‘Bicolor', 'Tricolor'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- ‘Bicolor'
- 'Tricolor'
- ‘Bicolor'
- ‘Bicolor', 'Tricolor'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dracaena
- Species:
- marginata
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Madagascar, Mauritius
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round yellow-orange berries. Flowers and berries rarely appear on house plants.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Small fragrant white blooms in spring. Rarely blooms as a house plant
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Pink
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 2 ft. long and 1/2 inch wide glossy sword-shaped green leaves with reddish edges. Cultivars can add pink, white or yellow stripes to the leaves. Lower leaves fall off with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Tan stems with distinct diamond-shaped leaf scars
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
