Easy Tropical Toxic to pets

Madagascar Dragon Tree

Dracaena marginata

The Dragon Tree is an arboreal plant with thin, elongated leaves, very architectural.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 12 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

40–60 %
Temperature

13–32 °C

How to care for your Madagascar Dragon Tree

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

Dracaena marginata, native to Madagascar, is a very popular houseplant for its architectural bearing. Its long dark green leaves edged with red or pink grow in tufts at the top of bare stems that can reach 2 meters. It is very tolerant of difficult conditions, requiring little light and water. A classic of modern interiors.

Watering your Madagascar Dragon Tree

Every 12 days

Water moderately; allow the top half of the substrate to dry between waterings.

How to know it needs water

Substrate dry 5 cm deep
Lower leaves beginning to yellow (natural senescence of old foliage — not necessarily a problem)

How much light a Madagascar Dragon Tree needs

Bright indirect light

Bright to moderate indirect light; tolerates low light but growth slows considerably.

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 2 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, South-east, South, South-west, West, North-west

Humidity and misting

40–60 %

Low to medium (40–60%) Light misting is beneficial in dry indoor environments, particularly in winter when central heating reduces humidity.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 60 days

Apply every two months during spring and summer; withhold in autumn and winter.

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

Repotting your Madagascar Dragon Tree

Every 36 months

Use a well-draining all-purpose potting mix; a pot one size larger is sufficient.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots emerging from drainage holes
Noticeably slowed growth

Pruning your Madagascar Dragon Tree

Cut the main stem to encourage lateral branching; best done in spring. Cut the cane horizontally with a clean, sharp blade; new rosettes will sprout below the cut.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 14 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 11 in the growing season.

13 J
13 F
12 M
11 A
11 M
11 J
11 J
11 A
11 S
12 O
13 N
14 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

Toxic to cats and dogs; ingestion causes vomiting, anorexia and excessive drooling.

Good to know

Can live more than 10 years indoors
Its bare stems resemble an exotic palm tree

Frequently asked questions about the Madagascar Dragon Tree

How do you care for a Madagascar Dragon Tree?

Water it every 12 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 40–60 %. Ideal temperature: 13–32 °C. Water moderately; allow the top half of the substrate to dry between waterings.

How often should you water a Madagascar Dragon Tree?

Every 12 days Water moderately; allow the top half of the substrate to dry between waterings. How to know it needs water : Substrate dry 5 cm deep ; Lower leaves beginning to yellow (natural senescence of old foliage — not necessarily a problem).

How much light does a Madagascar Dragon Tree need?

Bright indirect light Bright to moderate indirect light; tolerates low light but growth slows considerably. 0 to 2 h a day

Is the Madagascar Dragon Tree toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Toxic to cats and dogs; ingestion causes vomiting, anorexia and excessive drooling. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my Madagascar 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 Madagascar Dragon Tree?

Repot every 36 months, ideally in spring. Use a well-draining all-purpose potting mix; a pot one size larger is sufficient.