Fragrant dracaena
Dracaena fragrans · Asparagaceae
📷 Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 4.0
⚠️ Sapogenines saponines; ingestion par chats et chiens provoque troubles digestifs, vomissements, dépression.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around fragrant dracaena and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, long and arching, dark green with yellow or white stripes depending on variety
- Blooming
- January to March, small very fragrant white flowers
- Mature size
- Up to 2 m tall
- Growth
- Moderate to fast indoors
- Hardiness
- Tropical plant, minimum 10–12 °C
- Origin
- West Africa (Cameroon, Ivory Coast)
- Soil type
- Light, well-draining, well-aerated potting mix
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Dracaena fragrans tolerates shade but suffers in dry, confined air. If leaf tips brown, increase ambient humidity and ventilate without cold drafts.
The common mistake
Watering with cold, hard tap water.
The pro's trick
Boost ambient humidity twice a week in winter if heating is on.
Care
Watering
Water moderately, allowing the substrate to dry slightly between waterings. In winter, space out waterings. Use soft water at room temperature, and avoid stagnant water which causes root rot. Mist the foliage occasionally to maintain some humidity.
Light and Exposure
Place the dracaena in indirect light, ideally near a window without harsh direct sun. It tolerates shaded areas but growth will be slower. Variegated varieties prefer medium to good light to retain their coloured stripes.
Pruning and Shaping
Remove dead or damaged leaves as they appear. You can shorten the stems to encourage fuller, more compact branching. Prune preferably in spring or early summer.
Fertilising
Apply balanced diluted fertiliser every 15 days during the growing season (spring-summer). Reduce or stop feeding in autumn-winter when growth slows.
Soil and Repotting
Use light, well-draining indoor plant potting mix. Repot every 2 to 3 years in spring if the plant becomes root-bound. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
Pests and Diseases
Watch for spider mites and mealybugs, especially in dry air. Yellowing foliage may indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiency. Ventilate your indoor space regularly to prevent fungal infections.
Did you know?
The fragrant dracaena is famous for its cream-white flowers that release a sweet, soft fragrance, particularly intense in the late afternoon. In West Africa, this plant is traditionally grown for its elegance and ornamental properties, and its name 'dragon tree' evokes the majestic silhouette of its stems.
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.