Dragon tree (Dracaena draco)
Care, watering, light and tips for Dragon tree on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 10 days
- Light: Indirect light
- Temperature: 10–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Dragon tree
Dracaena draco, or Dragon Tree, is an imposing and long-lived tree native to the Canary Islands, featuring a distinctive silhouette reminiscent of an inverted umbrella. Its leathery, sword-shaped leaves, arranged in dense rosettes at the end of its branches, give it a prehistoric and elegant appearance. It is ideal as a focal point in Mediterranean or subtropical gardens, as well as a large and majestic indoor plant in colder climates.
Native range
Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Madeira
Care tips
It prefers full sun to partial shade, tolerating drought well once established, so watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry out between waterings. It requires well-drained, sandy, or volcanic soil, and a common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Indoors, place it near a bright window and water less frequently in winter.
How to save a dying Dragon tree
- Warning signs
- Soft, yellowing leaves or brown spots; soft trunk; stunted growth.
- First aid
- Inspect roots (cut rotten ones), repot in well-draining substrate, reduce watering.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor drainage, leading to root rot.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if the trunk isn't completely soft and some healthy roots remain.