Easy Succulent Toxic to pets

Dragon Tree

Dracaena draco

A striking, slow-growing tree-like plant with sword-shaped, blue-green leaves and a unique branching habit.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 10 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

30–50 %
Temperature

10–28 °C

How to care for your Dragon Tree

Everything you need to keep your Dragon Tree healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

The Dragon Tree is an iconic plant, developing a thick, grey trunk that branches to support rosettes of stiff, sword-shaped leaves. It's a very drought-tolerant and long-lived species, excellent as an indoor plant or an outdoor specimen in frost-free climates. It prefers bright indirect light and well-draining soil, allowing it to dry out between waterings.

Watering your Dragon Tree

Every 10 days

Top watering

How to know it needs water

Soil dry to top 2 inches
Leaves start to droop slightly

How much light a Dragon Tree needs

Bright indirect light

Bright Indirect

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 4 h a day
Orientations that suit it: East, South-east, South, South-west, West, North-west, North

Humidity and misting

30–50 %

Low Not required; tolerant of dry air.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 60 days

Fertilize lightly during spring and summer; avoid over-fertilizing.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid fertilizer · 2-1-2

Repotting your Dragon Tree

Every 24 months

Repot into a slightly larger container with well-draining soil.

When: Spring
Potting mix: Cactus and succulent mix
Mix in: perlite, pumice, coarse sand

The tell-tale signs

Roots emerging from drainage holes
Stunted growth

Pruning your Dragon Tree

As needed Remove yellowed lower leaves; cut stems to shape or encourage branching.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 16 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 9 in the growing season.

15 J
12 F
10 M
9 A
9 M
9 J
9 J
9 A
10 S
11 O
13 N
16 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

Mildly toxic to cats and dogs, causing vomiting and diarrhea.

Good to know

When its bark is cut, it exudes a red resin called 'dragon's blood'.
Can grow to enormous sizes and live for hundreds of years in its native habitat.

Frequently asked questions about the Dragon Tree

How do you care for a Dragon Tree?

Water it every 10 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 30–50 %. Ideal temperature: 10–28 °C. Top watering

How often should you water a Dragon Tree?

Every 10 days Top watering How to know it needs water : Soil dry to top 2 inches ; Leaves start to droop slightly.

How much light does a Dragon Tree need?

Bright indirect light Bright Indirect 0 to 4 h a day

Is the Dragon Tree toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Mildly toxic to cats and dogs, causing vomiting and diarrhea. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my Dragon Tree leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Dragon Tree?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring. Repot into a slightly larger container with well-draining soil.