How to care for dracaena at home? Caring for dracaena at home (photo) Rules for caring for dracaena at home.

Dracaenas are evergreen shrubs and trees that belong to 80 species, originating from the subtropics of Africa and the islands of Oceania. Flower growers are sincerely pleased that they can grow almost half of these varieties belonging to the genus Dracaena in greenhouses and indoors. Plants will require standard care, but maximum attention should be paid to temperature and humidity.

Variety of dracaenas

There are different expert views on the classification of the genus Dracaena. Some botanists classify it as a member of the Dracaenaceae family, others as an asparagus family. Although the former are trees and succulent shrubs, and the latter are herbaceous perennials, occasionally evergreen subshrubs. Clarification of family relationships and the origin of plants helps to understand the characteristics of the genus Dracaena.

Caring for indoor green pets involves creating conditions reminiscent of natural ones. Many flower growers are interested in the origin of the name “dracaena”. The term comes from a Greek word that translates to “female dragon.” Botanists explain the etymology by the presence of bright red resin in a species from the Canary Islands - Dracaena Draco (Dragon tree).

Exotic houseplant dracaena: photo, care

When caring for indoor and greenhouse specimens, take into account the characteristics of life forms and the plants’ requirements for light and moisture. The lignified stems of most species of the genus Dracaena are held at the tops of a rosette of long leaves. As it grows, the lower leaf blades fall off, and peculiar “marks” remain on the trunk. Exposure of the stem also occurs in unfavorable conditions, when the watering and lighting regimes change.

Dracaena leaves are a real work of art. In some species they are long, saber-shaped, in others they look like short green or striped “daggers”. The length of the leaves ranges from 15 to 60 cm, the width reaches 10 cm (in greenhouses). The coloration of the most popular species is dominated by white or yellow longitudinal stripes of different sizes.

What is important to remember when growing dracaena

Varieties with green leaves are shade-tolerant, but the tops are often curved and stretch towards the light. If you rotate the pot, the defect can be avoided. But not a single plant likes frequent changes of location, including dracaena. Caring for variegated forms is a little more difficult, because you need to choose the optimal dose of lighting. What all dracaenas need:

air humidity above 60%;
spraying with soft, warm water;
regular watering, but without waterlogging the substrate;
a room where the temperature is not lower than +13...+15 °C.

How to propagate dracaena

The option of propagation by cuttings, which is in demand in indoor floriculture, is well suited for most types of dracaenas. For rooting, cut off the upper leafy part of the shoot and sections of the stem without leaves. The crown for planting must be at least 10 cm long, including the lower section without leaves. The angle of the cut does not matter; it is not necessary to wither the shoot.

Rooting is carried out in sand, vermiculite, cactus soil, or simply in a glass of water (the liquid must be changed regularly so that it does not spoil). Special preparations that are sold in flower shops accelerate the appearance of roots. The use of each of them is described in the instructions. The temperature during the rooting period should not be lower than +20 °C. Protection in the form of a transparent jar, glass or bag is required. This cover should be removed several times a day and the planted crown should be sprayed with settled water.

The length of stem cuttings for propagation is at least 5 cm. This planting material is rooted in the same way as the crown - vertically placed in the substrate. You can place a piece of the stem on the sand in the pot and press it lightly. Care is the same as for the apical cutting. Roots and shoots grow within one to one and a half months.

Genus Dracaena. Species Dracaena deremensis, D.fragrans

Dracaena deremensis (D. Deremensis) is an evergreen perennial. Indoors, the woody stem of this plant reaches a height of half a meter to 3 m. With good care, even the lower leaves remain for a long time, but more often they die off as they age. The length of the lancet-shaped leaf blade, but with wavy edges, is 0.2-0.5 m, width - 5-6 cm.

The original species, Dracaena deremensis, is a plant with dark green leaves. Over time, variegated forms were developed and became more popular. Dracaena does not bloom indoors every year, but when the buds appear, there are white corollas inside the inflorescences and red corollas on the outside. The Lemon Lime variety is known for its yellow stripes along its leaves. White Stripe are shapes with white lines. The White Jewel variety is characterized by the presence of light green longitudinal stripes.

Each species of the genus Dracaena is charming in its own way. Caring for these amazing plants is easy, but creating ideal conditions for flowering in a room can be difficult. For example, in nature, fragrant inflorescences often appear on fragrant dracaena (D.fragrans), but this phenomenon is rarely observed indoors. The rosette of bent leaves of this mini-palm, popular in rooms, looks very decorative. Its flowers are usually white, but there are varieties in green and yellow. Some researchers consider the species D. Deremensis to be one of the forms of D. fragrans.

Dracaena Sanderiana (D. sanderiana)

The attractive plant has long been imported from the tropical regions of West Africa. Forms reaching a height of 0.6-1 m have spread in culture. Thin shoots of Dracaena Sander are easily twisted, which allows gardeners to obtain cuttings curved at different angles. Such parts of the trunk take root well and sometimes resemble bamboo stems. Growing leaves are 15-22 cm long, up to 4 cm wide; the shape of the plate is lanceolate, the color is light green, some varieties have a white or dark green border (for example, Boringuensis).

It is D. Sandera that is the indoor dracaena that received the unofficial name “Bamboo of Happiness”. Its spiral curved stems, bunches of cuttings, connected in 3, 5, 7 or more pieces, are in great demand in flower shops. These forms of the Dracaena Sanderiana plant are a true decoration for apartments and offices. “Bamboo of Happiness” is given to relatives, loved ones, friends and colleagues with wishes of prosperity, good luck and wealth. The weaving of the stems is carried out when they are young and bend well.

Dracaena Godseffiana (D. godseffiana)

A subshrub, reaching 0.5-3 m indoors. The stem of this species resembles reed shoots with filmy scales from fallen leaves. The tips of the oval leaves are pointed; There are 3-5 plates in false whorls. The color is green with highlights of cream or white. The size, number and shape of spots depend on the variety.

The flowers form clusters emerging from the leaf axils or apical rosette. The buds are colored greenish-yellow, and the blooming flowers emit a pleasant smell. Many indoor plant lovers are sure that Dracaena godseffiana is the most unusual dracaena. Caring for its varieties at home requires compliance with four main rules:

create good lighting for variegated forms;
protect dracaena from direct sunlight;
if there is a lack of natural insolation, provide artificial lighting;
regularly take a warm shower and wipe the leaves.

Dracaena reflexa (D. reflexa)

The most capricious species of the genus Dracaena when grown indoors. The plant requires high air humidity and requires support for a tall stem (0.7-1 m). Skillful pruning can create a beautiful, strong trunk with dense rosettes of leaves. The plates reach a length of 15 cm, the color is green, there is a yellow border. One of the well-known varieties is called Song of India.

Dracaena marginata

It is believed that this is not a separate species, but a narrow-leaved form of D. reflexa. The stem branches with age and can reach more than 3 m in height. The narrow sessile leaves resemble straps; the lower ones are bent, the upper ones grow almost vertically. The blades reach a length of 20 to 70 cm. There are narrow reddish stripes along the edges of the leaves.

Some varieties have predominantly crimson shades in color, for example, Colorama. The leaves of the Tricolor variety combine green with red and yellow. The Magenta cultivar has a crimson edging. The Bicolor variety is characterized by a pink stripe on a green leaf background.

All of the listed characteristics of dracaena species and varieties are clearly manifested with good care. Violation of maintenance conditions leads to accelerated yellowing and falling of leaves. In this case, the apical cutting will need to be replanted. It should be cut with a sharp knife, then the cut should be treated with crushed charcoal or stove ash. The soil in the pot should be watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The cuttings take root in water or sand, as shown in the photo below. The top needs to be protected from evaporation by covering the pot with a large plastic glass.

Dragon tree (D. draco)

The Canary Islands are the birthplace of dracaena with red milky juice. The narrow leaves of the plant reach a length of 60 cm and a width of 2-4 cm. Green plates turn red at the edges in sufficient light. The leaves are collected in whorls and look like bunches of leather straps. A distinctive feature of the species is the release of reddish resin on the trunk (“dragon’s blood”).

The plant in natural conditions reaches a height of 20 meters, but indoors it usually does not exceed 1.5 m. This mini-palm tree - Dracaena canariana - is easily propagated by cut apical shoots and seeds, feels good in cool rooms even at an air temperature of +12 ° WITH.

Dracaena care: 10 simple rules

Indoor conditions are suitable for growing such original plants as dracaenas. The appearance of African species is in harmony with young “screw palms” (Veitch’s pandanus). A composition of dracaena and variegated forms of chlorophytum, dieffenbachia or nephrolepis looks great.

If the dracaena in the room quickly turns yellow, this means that one of the basic rules of care has been violated:

It is better to place plants on bright windows and protect them from direct sunlight.
The winter temperature for hardier species is +12 °C; heat-loving species will need a room where the air is heated to +15 °C.
The room should not be too dry; dracaenas love high humidity and spraying.
Watering in summer and in warm rooms should be done daily.
In winter, if the room is cool, reduce watering.
The soil in the pot or tub should not dry out, otherwise the plants will die.
In spring and summer, spray the leaves daily; in autumn and winter, once a week is enough.
When replanting, it is necessary to preserve the earthen lump by adding turf soil and humus to a higher pot.
The same is done during transshipment, which is carried out annually until the dracaena is three years old.
It is advisable to alternate mineral fertilizers with organic ones. Dracaena responds well to feeding with a solution of bird droppings.

The leaves of an adult dracaena, even with good maintenance, slowly turn yellow and fall off. The stem at the bottom is bare, but the rosette at the top should be lush. The lifespan of one leaf is approximately two years, and the entire plant will delight the grower for at least 5-10 years (with proper care). In nature, the “dragon tree” reaches its oldest age. According to scientists, some specimens of Dracaena Draco are about 6 thousand years old! This is such an amazing plant - dracaena.

Dracaena is one of the most popular indoor plants. Caring for it at home is easy. How to replant dracaena? How to propagate dracaena? What to do if dracaena leaves turn yellow and dry? Let's talk about the basic rules for caring for dracaena: watering, reproduction, diseases.

Dracaena is loved by flower growers for good reason. It is beautiful and effective in any interior. Often large specimens are purchased for office space. Small plants look cozy in small rooms.

Before moving on to the question of how to care for dracaena, we list the most common types of dracaenas found in indoor culture.

Types of dracaenas

The most common one is Dracaena marginata (Dracaena marginata). This is a tree-like dracaena, its strong trunk, capable of reaching a height of 3 m, is crowned with a bunch of leaves reminiscent of a disheveled hairstyle. The leaves are long and narrow. As the plant grows, the leaves fall off, forming a characteristic pattern of scars on the trunk. This species has a large number of forms, for example: Magenta, Bicolor, Tricolor. The forms differ from each other in the color of the leaves.

Dracaena reflexa (Dracaena reflexa). The species is named for its downward sloping leaves. The stem of this dracaena is weak, branching almost from the root. The leaves are elongated, bright green with yellow longitudinal stripes. Such plants greatly enliven the room.

Dracaena godseffiana, its other name is Dracaena Surculosa, i.e. shoot-forming dracaena is a very interesting variety of dracaena, unlike the others. It has the shape of a bush with oval leaves pointed at the ends. The leaves are dark green in color and covered with golden or cream spots, which is why it is sometimes confused with aucuba. People call this dracaena spotted or golden. A room decorated with such a plant takes on a bright, elegant, “sunny” look.

This variegated species is perhaps the largest. It can grow up to 6 m in height, the leaves are up to 80 cm long and 3 cm wide. The leaves are curved, drooping, and often wavy in large specimens. This species received the name “fragrant” for its white or yellow flowers, which have a strong scent. In indoor conditions, however, flowering can rarely be seen.

Another fairly large (height about 3 m) species of dracaenas. It has a thick tree-like trunk covered with leaves, which, when falling, leave scars on the trunk. The leaves are dark green, long (up to 50 cm) and wide (up to 5 cm). Various forms of this species may have longitudinal white and yellow stripes on the leaves. In nature it blooms with bright red flowers with an unpleasant odor. At home, fortunately, flowering rarely occurs.

How to care for dracaena

Temperature

Dracaena is suitable for moderate temperatures. In summer 20 – 25°C, in winter not lower than 15°C. In summer, the plant can be taken out into the fresh air. When choosing a location, it is necessary to take into account that dracaenas are afraid of drafts.

Lighting

Most types of dracaenas should be placed in a bright place, protected from direct sunlight. It is best to choose an east or west window for them. Species with dark leaves require less light than variegated ones. In the absence of sufficient light, variegated species may lose color. Artificial lighting is suitable for dracaenas.

Watering

Dracaena is a moisture-loving plant and needs to be watered abundantly. Over-drying of the earthen coma is unacceptable; moreover, the earth should remain slightly moist all the time. However, this flower cannot be filled either. Stagnation of water together with low temperatures can lead to the death of the plant. In summer, as a rule, the plant is watered daily; in winter, watering is reduced.

Air humidity

Low maintenance Dracaena dragon And Dracaena Godsefa tolerate dry air, while the rest require frequent spraying. This is important both in summer in the heat and in winter in rooms with central heating. Also, do not forget to wipe the leaves from dust or wash the plant in the shower.

Reproduction

Dracaenas are propagated by apical cuttings, stem cuttings and air layering. Cuttings are rooted in water or a mixture of sand and peat. The cutting is taken 7-10 cm long. It is recommended to use bottom heating and phytohormones. Rooting usually occurs after 2 - 4 weeks.

How to replant dracaena

It is recommended to replant dracaena once every two to three years in March - April. Young plants can be replanted every year. When replanting, it is advisable to provide the plants with good drainage. It is better to buy soil specialized for dracaenas in a store.

Fertilizer

Dracaena needs to be fed during the growth period, from March to August. Feeding is done once every two weeks. Any complex fertilizers are suitable. For variegated forms - specialized fertilizers for variegated plants.

Diseases and pests

Among the pests, dracaena can be affected by scale insects and thrips.

Spider mites may also appear. At the same time, the dracaena begins to shed its leaves. Treat it with Fitoverm.

However, problems of a different nature arise more often. For example, leaves dry out and become covered with brown spots. This indicates dry air or, more often, insufficient watering. Maybe your plant is in a draft and is cold.

If the dracaena leaves or their tips turn yellow and dry This is most likely a consequence of dry air. Spray the plant more often. However, the lower leaves of dracaenas turn yellow and fall off over time; this is a natural process. If this spoils the appearance of the plant, rejuvenate it by cutting off and rooting the top.

Placement in bright sun may cause burns on the leaves. To avoid this, shade the plant in bright sunny weather.

Dracaena is a beautiful houseplant that resembles a palm tree. It has a tall trunk and at the top of the trunk there are straight, long leaves diverging to the sides. This is an excellent indoor plant that grows very quickly and can reach 1.5 - 2 m in height. But often not everyone likes such large sizes. The palm tree loses its beautiful appearance and becomes unattractive.

Due to the lack of sunlight, the size of the room in which the plant is located, and the volume of the pot, the dracaena begins to fade. The leaves become thinner, the shoots become thin. To prevent this and To extend the life of the plant, it is necessary to transplant or propagate dracaena. It's not difficult to do, you just have to try.

Take the opportunity to learn more about the best indoor plant Dracaena (photo of Dracaena, how to care for, propagate, etc.)

How to quickly and easily transplant and propagate dracaena

If it is necessary to extend the life of the plant, you can trim the trunk, after which new shoots will appear on the remaining plant. The plant begins to take on a new look. In fact, there are two types of propagation of dracaena: propagation by stem cuttings and propagation by apical cuttings. Here's what it looks like visually:

When you decide on the propagation method, proceed with the procedure according to the instructions.

To do everything correctly, you need to follow these steps:

After the procedures have been carried out, the plant begins to actively absorb water and may dry out. To prevent this from happening, you need to spray the stem several times a day to prevent drying out. Also, the plant will take root better if the cut site is wrapped in moss., it helps the plant get all the moisture it needs, because moss concentrates it very well.

Dracaena is an unpretentious plant and you don’t need to spend a lot of effort to care for it. But in the current situation, dracaena must be kept in comfortable conditions to allow the plant to regain its strength and produce new shoots. It is better to keep the plant indoors where the temperature is 25 degrees, not lower.

The recovery process is quite long, the plant will need about a month. After the shoots appear, the dracaena no longer requires special care; you can place it in the place you need and just don’t forget about watering.

Read the most popular article in the section:
Dracaena: home care + photos of a home palm tree

What to do with the remaining escape?

We prepare the resulting cutting for planting; to do this, we remove excess leaves in the place where the cutting will be immersed in water or soil. The distance from the leaves to the cut is approximately the size of a matchbox. Dry the cuttings for about 30 minutes. It is better to treat the cut with charcoal, as mentioned above, to avoid rotting.

Using pruning shears or a sharp knife, you need to cut the lower part of the stem in half, as if to bifurcate the stem. The incision should not be large. We insert a small pebble into the cut so that the edges do not meet and roots form faster. The leaves on the cuttings must be tied or secured with threads so that moisture from the plant does not quickly evaporate through the leaves.

After that Ready-made dracaena cuttings can be placed in water until roots form, or plant immediately in prepared soil. You can choose the soil yourself. It can be a mixture of sand and peat or any universal mixture.

Before planting in the ground, the root can be treated with a solution of root or any other drug that stimulates root formation. We make a hole in the soil in the center of the pot and place our plant in it. We crush the earth a little so that the trunk holds firmly in place.

We can also recommend spill the soil before planting with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This will help prevent the development of bacterial diseases in the plant and keep the root from rotting. After one or two months, the roots will grow, the dracaena will take root and the plant will begin to grow.

We hope you were able to find answers to questions about caring for Dracaena at home, and the photographs helped you correctly transplant and propagate an indoor palm tree.

An exotic plant that belongs to the Asparagus family and can grow as a shrub or tall palm tree. The homeland of this flower is the African continent, South Asia and America. Dracaena, which requires some rules to be cared for at home, prefers a humid climate.

Dracaena is also called the “false palm” for its resemblance to palm trees; some species are shrubs. Dracaenas live for many years and grow throughout their entire life cycle. In indoor conditions, these plants almost never bloom. If you follow all the features of caring for dracaena, it will not bring much trouble.

How to care for dracaena at home

You may encounter certain difficulties when growing indoor species of this plant, so you need to know how to care for dracaena correctly.

Watering

Dracaena loves moisture; it needs abundant and frequent watering. In the warm season, the flower must be watered at least three times a week.

This is a period of active growth, so drying out the earthen ball will have a detrimental effect on the root system of the plant. Water for irrigation must be settled for 2-3 days or boiled.

Watering dracaena photo

From October, watering is reduced in winter; until March, dracaena is watered only once a week. Overmoistening the soil can cause root rot and plant death. Species like these like leaves to be moistened; they need to be sprayed periodically, especially in the summer.