Care of Dracaena Marginata Plant
Multiple trunks with long narrow crowns of strip-like leaves give the dracaena an interesting, abstract shape. A healthy dracaena can reach a height of 15 feet at maturity, so keep that in mind when growing one indoors. Take care of dracaena's light, soil, temperature and moisture requirements, and you'll enjoy this plant, indoors or outside, for many years. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Dracaena marginata
- Gloves
- Spade
- Potting soil
- Sand
- Water
- Water-soluble fertilizer (optional)
- Pruning shears
Instructions
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Plant dracaena in loose, sandy soil that drains well. Put on gloves and combine equal parts potting soil and sand, and mix thoroughly with a spade or by hand. Make sure containers drain freely from the bottom and that drainage holes are not obstructed.
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Grow dracaena in bright, flitered light. Outdoors, plant dracaenas 3 feet apart in partial sun and shade or in dappled light all day. Indoors, place a potted dracaena in a south-facing window that has a sheer curtain.
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Water your dracaena every week or so. Allow the soil to dry out between watering to prevent root rot. Fertilizer isn't mandatory for this tough customer, but you can add a pinch of water-soluble fertilizer every other month if you want the plant to grow faster.
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Pinch off dead or dying leaves and stems as you see them, especially if you are trying to grow a dracaena in low light. Cut back your dracaena with pruning shears to control its height and encourage new shoots and stems at the base of the plant.
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Tips & Warnings
Dracaenas make a dramatic statement when placed against a wall with up-lighting.
Watch for yellowing and curling leaf tips. Dracaenas can be sensitive to the fluoride added to city water supplies. Try distilled water to clear up this problem.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit potted yukka tree plant at night. image by rozeykex from Fotolia.com
