Dracaena draco
Dracaena draco · Asparagaceae
📷 H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant dracaena draco: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, blue-green to gray-green
- Flowering
- Spring-summer, cream-white flowers in panicles
- Adult size
- Up to 12-15 m in natural habitat, 2-4 m indoors
- Growth
- Slow to very slow
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender, grow indoors or in heated conservatory
- Origin
- Canary Islands (Tenerife)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rather poor, tolerant
Expert tips
The key tip
Arrose modérément en été (tous les 10-15 jours), puis réduis drastiquement en hiver—c'est là que la plupart meurent, noyées dans un pot trop humide. Le drainage doit être impeccable : terreau cactus/succulentes mélangé à du sable, sinon les racines pourrissent en quelques semaines.
The common mistake
Surarroser en pensant bien faire : le dragonnier emmagasine l'eau dans son tronc et ne la consomme pas vite. Entre deux arrosages, le substrat doit sécher presque complètement.
The pro's trick
Soulève le pot avant d'arroser—s'il pèse encore lourd, attends 3-4 jours. Cette sensation tactile est bien plus fiable que n'importe quelle règle, surtout en hiver quand la transpiration ralentit énormément.
Seasonal watch
En automne-hiver, vigilance accrue : les jours raccourcissent, l'évaporation diminue, et les chauffages intérieurs assèchent l'air mais PAS le substrat. Laisse-le quasiment sec pendant cette période, sinon l'eau stagne et les pourritures gagnent le tronc—difficile à sauver une fois atteint.
Care
Watering
Water moderately during the growing season (spring-summer), letting the substrate dry out between waterings. In autumn-winter, reduce watering significantly: the plant goes dormant and fears excess moisture. Check that water drains well at the bottom of the pot to prevent stagnation.
Light and Exposure
Place your dragon tree in a very bright spot, ideally near a south or west-facing window. It tolerates partial shade but prefers bright indirect light. Protect it from harsh midday rays behind a sheer curtain if the window is very hot.
Substrate
Use a well-draining mix: indoor plant potting soil mixed with perlite or coarse sand (1/3 perlite to 2/3 potting soil). The dragon tree dreads stagnant moisture which causes root rot.
Fertilizer
Apply diluted balanced fertilizer every 15-20 days during the growing season (April to September). In autumn-winter, stop fertilizing as the plant slows its metabolism. Over-rich fertilizer promotes soft, fragile leaves.
Pruning
Pruning is not essential: the dragon tree develops naturally as a single or branched trunk. You can remove dried leaves at the base or pinch the top to encourage branching. Allow a few days for healing before watering a fresh wound.
Pests and Diseases
Watch for mealybugs and spider mites in dry conditions: mist the foliage or shower the leaves with warm water. Excess humidity causes root rot or fungal issues: improve ventilation and reduce watering. Yellow leaves often indicate overwatering or insufficient light.
Did you know?
The Canary Island dragon tree is famous for its vivid red sap, once called 'dragon's blood,' used by ancient alchemists and painters as a precious dye. The thousand-year-old tree of Tenerife, nicknamed the 'Drago Milenario,' was the emblem of the Canaries for centuries and remains a botanical monument of great symbolic value.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.