Everything you need to know about the Dracaena. Species, care, ideal location and our XXL Dracaena collection in one place.
The most important thing in 30 seconds
+The Dracaena or Dragon Tree originates from tropical Africa and Madagascar and belongs to the Asparagaceae family
+Prefers a bright spot with indirect sunlight and tolerates partial shade better than many houseplants
+Water sparingly, the plant is drought-tolerant and dislikes wet feet
+Not pet-friendly, the plant is toxic to dogs and cats due to saponins
+Air-purifying according to the NASA Clean Air Study, filters formaldehyde and xylene from indoor air
+Popular species include Marginata, Fragrans, and Anita, each with its own leaf shape and appearance
About this Dragon's Blood Tree planting guide
The Dracaena, popularly known as the Dragon Tree, is a group of elegant houseplants from the Asparagaceae family that originally comes from tropical Africa and Madagascar. The plant stands out with its slender stems and clusters of narrow leaves, a graphic appearance that adds structure to any interior.
There are many types of Dracaena, from the well-known Marginata with its red-edged leaves to the fuller Fragrans and the delicate Anita. The plant grows slowly, is drought-tolerant, and is known as an air purifier according to the NASA Clean Air Study. This makes the Dracaena a rewarding houseplant for those with little time.
In this guide, you will discover the differences between the most popular Dracaena varieties, where the plant comes from, and how to best care for it. You will also read everything about location, watering, and which XXL Dracaena specimens we offer in our collection.
Whether you want to fill an empty corner with a stately solitary plant or decorate a bright spot with greenery, this guide gives you all the insights to choose the right Dracaena and keep it healthy for years, delivered fresh from the grower to your home.
Did you know?
Three facts about the Dragon's Blood Tree that you may not have known yet.
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Red sap like dragon's blood
The Dracaena Draco, the tree form, exudes a red sap when wounded that has been known since antiquity as dragon's blood. It was used in medicine, varnish and magical rituals.
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Filters formaldehyde from the air
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, the Dracaena is one of the best plants for removing formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from indoor air.
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Grows slowly but steadily
A Dracaena grows about 10 to 15 centimetres a year. With the right care an indoor Dracaena can live for more than 20 years.
Dragon's Blood Tree types and differences
Dracaena Marginata
Hoogte, 1 to 2.5 metres
The Dracaena Marginata is the best-known species, with slender curving stems and thin leaves edged in red. A graphic plant that suits modern interiors.
Dracaena Fragrans
Hoogte, 1 to 3 metres
The Dracaena Fragrans, also called Massangeana or corn plant, has broader arching leaves on sturdy stems. Fuller in shape than the Marginata.
Dracaena Anita
Hoogte, 1 to 2 metres
The Dracaena Anita resembles the Marginata but has finer, denser leaves without a red edge. A fresh green plant with a compact, fluffy crown.
Top 5 Dragon's Blood Tree
Onze favoriete planten voor een Dragon's Blood Tree interieur, gekozen door onze stylingexperts. Met per plant de reden waarom hij werkt.
Voeg top planten toe via het pillar_top_plants metafield op deze pagina.
Dragon's Blood Tree care step by step
Follow these steps to keep your Dragon's Blood Tree healthy.
1
Watergift
Water the Dracaena sparingly. Let the top layer of compost dry out well before watering again, about every seven to ten days. The plant is drought-tolerant and hates waterlogging. Preferably use low-lime water, as the Dracaena is sensitive to fluoride.
2
Light and location
Place the Dracaena in a bright spot with indirect sunlight. Harsh midday sun can scorch the leaves, while too dark a spot gives pale or limp foliage. A place by an east- or west-facing window is ideal. The plant tolerates partial shade better than many other houseplants.
3
Bemesting
Feed the Dracaena once a month from April to September with liquid plant food for green houseplants. In autumn and winter the plant needs no feed, as it barely grows. Overfeeding leads to brown leaf tips.
4
Verpotten
Repot the Dracaena every two to three years in spring into a pot one size larger. Use airy houseplant compost with a little extra perlite for good drainage. The plant grows slowly, so more frequent repotting is not needed.
5
Humidity and leaf care
The Dracaena likes average to higher humidity. Dust the leaves regularly with a damp cloth and mist them now and then, especially in a dry, heated room. You can carefully trim dry tips, following the natural shape of the leaf.
Frequently asked questions about the Dragon's Blood Tree
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Dragon's Blood Tree.
How often should I water my Dracaena?+
A Dracaena needs little water. Water about every seven to ten days and let the top layer of compost dry out well first. In winter it can be even less. The plant is drought-tolerant and suffers sooner from too much water than from too little.
Is the Dracaena toxic to dogs and cats?+
Yes, the Dracaena is toxic to dogs and cats. It contains saponins that can cause vomiting, drooling and reduced appetite if eaten. Keep the plant out of reach of pets that like to nibble leaves.
What is the difference between Dracaena Marginata and Fragrans?+
A Dracaena Marginata has narrow thin leaves with a red edge on slender curving stems. The Dracaena Fragrans has broader arching leaves on sturdier stems and looks fuller. The Marginata is more graphic, the Fragrans more lush.
How old can a Dracaena get?+
With the right care a Dracaena can live for more than twenty years as a houseplant. In nature the tree form Dracaena Draco can even live for hundreds of years. The plant grows slowly, about ten to fifteen centimetres a year.
Waarom krijgt mijn Dracaena bruine bladpunten?+
Brown leaf tips on a Dracaena usually come from dry air, hard or fluoridated water, or too much fertiliser. Use low-lime water, mist the leaves now and then and feed moderately. You can carefully trim brown tips along the shape of the leaf.
Can a Dracaena stand in the shade?+
Yes, a Dracaena tolerates partial shade better than many other houseplants, but full darkness is not ideal. In too little light the leaves turn pale and growth slows. A bright spot with indirect sunlight gives the best result.
Wanneer moet ik mijn Dracaena verpotten?+
Repot a Dracaena every two to three years in spring, when the roots grow out of the pot. Choose a pot one size larger and use airy compost. As the plant grows slowly, more frequent repotting is not needed.
Which size Dracaena should I choose?+
A Dracaena of around a metre is nice on a cabinet or table, while a two- to three-metre specimen really fills a room as a solitary plant. Choose the height based on your ceiling height and the spot you want to fill.
Plant concepts explained
Drakenbloed
The red resin that some Dracaena species, especially the Dracaena Draco, exude when wounded. Used since antiquity as a dye and in folk medicine.
Air-purifying plant
A plant that can filter harmful substances from indoor air. In the NASA Clean Air Study the Dracaena is known for removing formaldehyde and xylene.
Droogtetolerant
A plant's ability to withstand longer dry periods. The Dracaena stores moisture and therefore needs little and irregular watering.
Saponines
Natural compounds in the Dracaena that make the plant toxic to dogs and cats. If eaten they can cause stomach and intestinal upset.
Indirect sunlight
Light that reaches the plant without direct sunbeams hitting the leaves. The ideal light situation for the Dracaena to avoid leaf scorch.
Solitair
A plant that stands alone as a focal point in a room. A large Dracaena of two to three metres works excellently as a solitary specimen.
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