How to Pot a Dracaena

Dracaena is a variety of plant that is mostly grown indoors in the United States, although it can survive outdoors in the extreme South. There are many types of Dracaena, including the Corn Plant and Ribbon Plant. They require little care once they are planted in their pots and will live for many years. Dracaena plants should be re-potted once every three years to allow sufficient room for proper root development in the pot.

Things You'll Need

• Plant pot
• General-purpose potting soil
• Saucer
• Water
• Liquid plant fertilizer
• Bottle

Instructions

1. Locate a plant pot with drainage holes that is the same size as the nursery pot that the Dracaena is planted in. Opt for a heavy pot, which will keep the plant from falling over if it gets top-heavy.

2. Fill the plant pot 1/3 full of a general-purpose potting soil.

3. Turn the Dracaena plant on its side and pull off the nursery pot. Set the roots of the plant into the plant pot; ensure that it is perfectly vertical and does not lean.

4. Add additional potting soil around the plant roots until it is level with the top of the soil on the Dracaena roots. Pat the soil lightly to firm it; do not pack it down tightly.

5. Set a saucer underneath the Dracaena pot to catch water runoff. Water the soil until it seeps out of the pot bottom and into the saucer. Wait two hours to allow the soil to reabsorb the water, and then pour out any excess from the saucer.

6. Pour a liquid plant fertilizer into a bottle and add twice the amount of water that is listed in the fertilizer instructions. Pour half of the mixture into the soil to provide nutrients for the roots as they get established.

7. Place the newly potted Dracaena near a window that gets plenty of bright light, but no direct sunlight.

References

• Bachman's: Dracaenas
• Guide to Houseplants: Indoor Corn Plant Care Tips
• Plant Care Guru: Dracaena Canes, Fragrans Cane, Massangeana Cane, Mass Cane, Corn Plant