Madagascar Dragon Tree

Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia, also called Dracaena marginata, Dragon tree

Madagascar Dragon Tree
Photo: Photo by David J. Stang via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped.
Light
Low light to bright, indirect light. Best spot: close to a bright window but out of the sun's direct rays.
Water
Water when the top of the mix is dry
Humidity
Fine in ordinary indoor air
Potting mix
An indoor potting mix with good drainage
Size
Up to 6 feet indoors
Pets
Toxic to pets

How to care for a Madagascar dragon tree

Slow-growing and drought tolerant, with narrow leaves on slender stems. Bright, indirect light is ideal. Use a well-draining mix and let it dry between waterings, but not severely. It needs little fertilizer. Like most dracaenas it is sensitive to fluoride, which discolors the leaves, so use distilled or non-fluoridated water. Pruned stems usually branch into two or more.

Common problems

Mites, thrips and chewing insects; leaf spot diseases. Brown or discolored leaves often come from fluoride in tap water.

Questions people ask

How much light does a Madagascar dragon tree need?

Low light to bright, indirect light. Best spot: close to a bright window but out of the sun's direct rays.

How often should I water a Madagascar dragon tree?

Water when the top of the mix is dry.

Is Madagascar dragon tree toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Toxic to dogs, cats and horses (listed as Madagascar Dragon Tree, Dracaena marginata): vomiting, depression, loss of appetite, drooling, and dilated pupils in cats.

Sources

← All house plants

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