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How to grow Dracaena Marginata
Dracaena Marginata is not a plant that you grow for flowers - it's the foliage you're after. You can either grow it in the ground, planted en masse, or as a stand alone feature planted by itself in a decorative container.
And, it can grow just as well indoors as it does outdoors (that's if you live in a semi-tropical to tropical planting zone, that is). Dracaena's aren't very fond of frost but they can tolerate colder climates so long as they're protected. They don't like too much water but prefer their growing medium to be moist.
Draceana's come from the Dragon Tree, dracaena draco, which is a native plant to the Canary Islands, so their growing habits, likes and dislikes, and temperamental preferences are all very similar.
They can grow to more than 4m (12-13ft) but can easily be kept smaller by pruning the stems prior to spring.
The stems of a draceana marginata are commonly flexible and thin and seem adequately disproportionate to its height and also the foliage that tops it. They can easily be bent and shaped to conform to your structural desires by using bonsai wire to contort each stem.
If your dracaena is only single-stemmed and you want it to branch out, cut the foliage from the top and reduce the stem to the desired height. Within a few months the foliage will begin to bud from the wound and new branches will grow.
How to propagate dracaena maginata
Draceana's can be propagated by a variety of ways but the most easiest is by taking a cutting from the stem and after applying some rooting hormone to the base (don't forget which end is 'up') firmly push it into some potting mix. Water frequently and apply a liquid fertilizer when the foliage begins to appear.
Other methods of propagating dracaena include air-layering and basal root cuttings.
Fertilising dracaena marginata
Soluble liquid fertilisers are the best form of nutrient release for dracaena's but during their dormant period you can also add some slow release pellets to their growing area or container.
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Comments
I have tried propagating D marginata (and also other Dracaenas) as you suggest and also by placing the cuttings in water. I have had a much better rate of success with the latter - almost all cuttings develop roots within a month. In the soil it is not only slower (I don't have a greenhouse)but about half of my cuttings eventually rot.
Posted by: Sandra Saenz de Tejada | October 3, 2008 12:47 PM
I have 2 dracaenas growing in one pot. No problems took care of them for over 7 months. Then my dog decided to chew on the bark of one. I tried to wrap it in muslim cloth dampened with water. I had to support it with a small wooden rod to keep it from collapsing. My question is this, my idea did not work at all but the top half is still very much alive a little wilted but can I root the top half in water then replant it? Or what suggestions do you have?
Posted by: Lorry | February 4, 2009 1:14 AM
I just bought a dracaena from wal-mart yesterday, is it ok to sepaate them and put them in individual pots, or should I just leave them alone?
Posted by: andrew | February 16, 2009 9:18 PM
what exposure to the sun is best? Mine is in the east light, but my plant is dropping leaves, is puny and only growing leaves at the very top, they get brown, immediately.HELP
Posted by: Sandra Lynn Munari | February 16, 2009 9:50 PM
Hi Sandra,
I found this in another website:
"Like most Dracaenas the marginata will give you best results in bright yet indirect light. Although bright light is the preference it will handle lower light levels and the leaves will be thinner. Plants sold as house plants have been acclimated to lower light, beware if you place an acclimated marginata in direct light of a period of time the leaves may get bleach spots or patches."
I hope it helps! :)
Posted by: Maria | June 7, 2009 6:04 AM
Our office dracaena marginata has started dropping healthy leaves. Some yellow and fall off, others are just falling off. Could I be overwatering it?
Posted by: Jill | June 26, 2009 1:40 AM
Jill, that's the most likely cause providing it's getting enough indirect sunlight as well. If not then let it outside for a while so that it can recuperate before bringing back indoors.
Posted by: Stuart | June 26, 2009 9:35 AM
I brought draceana from the store two week ago, now the leaves have started to droop. They are in indirect light and I am keeping them moist. What could have gone wrong? please advice.
Posted by: Anna | October 30, 2009 6:32 PM
Our dracaena, shaped like a candelabra, is getting dry and brown at the leaf tips. What might the problem be?
Posted by: Joe Vriend | November 8, 2009 3:11 AM