описание, виды с фото и названиями, уход в домашних условиях

Когда за окном дождливая и холодная погода, хочется оказаться в жарких и солнечных тропиках. Мечты о теплых краях становятся реальнее, если мечтать об этом сидя рядом с пальмой. В домашних условиях пальму заменяет драцена, которая так на нее похожа. Рядом со своей драценой я всегда чувствую себя немножечко на юге.

Драцена весьма неприхотливое растение, которое часто встречается в жилых помещениях и офисах. Она эффектно украшает интерьер и делает его эксклюзивным и экзотичным.

Содержание статьи

Описание и разновидности драцены с фото

Некоторые называют растение кустарником, а другие деревом. На прямых стеблях растения вырастают листья, образующие розетки. Средняя продолжительность жизни драцены составляет 8-15 лет. Это зависит от вида драцены, условий содержания и ухода.

Видов растения насчитывается больше сотни. Все они уникальны и красивы. Более популярными разновидностями драцен считаются:

Гукера

Этот вид родом из Южной Африки. Один из самых неприхотливых видов драцены, что с его выращиванием справятся даже начинающие или ленивые цветоводы. Куст вырастает средних размеров и достигает 1-2 м.

Основной стебель растения толстый, и на его верхушке вырастает пышная копна удлиненных остроконечных листьев. Они деленного цвета с белой окантовкой. Летом в теплую погоду гукеру можно выносить на открытый воздух.

Отогнутая

В природе растение вырастает до 5 м, а в домашних условиях его средняя высота составит 1 м. У этого вида достаточно много сортов. Они могут отличаться высотой и окраской листьев, однако у большинства листва окрашена в зеленый цвет с желтой окантовкой. Все они загибаются книзу, за что этот вид и получил свое название.

Годсефа

Драцена Годсефа не очень похожа на пальму. Это кустовое растение, побеги которого имеют сильное разветвление. Листья не удлиненные, как у остальных драцен, а овальной формы с необычной окраской. Они светло-зеленого цвета с расплывчатыми белыми пятнышками.

При домашнем выращивании часто цветет. Цветки невзрачные и бледные, окрашенные в желто-зеленый цвет, но имеют яркий и приятный запах.

Канарская

Поскольку этот вид в природе встречается только на Канарских островах, название он получил соответствующее. Также этот вид называют драконовое дерево. В домашних условиях высота растений составляет максимум 1,5 м, но только в правильных условиях содержания. Листья, как у многих драцен, удлиненные, но у них есть свои особенности.

Они имеют сизый оттенок и шип на конце. При особенном освещении может появиться красный оттенок на листьях.

При выращивании дома проблем возникнуть не должно, поскольку у растения минимальные требования, особенно к температуре. Оно отлично себя чувствует и в теплоте, и в прохладе.

Маргината (окаймленная)

Это самый распространенный сорт у цветоводов. При правильном содержании в высоту маргината вырастает до 3 м. Листья продолговатые с заостренными краями.

Они темно-зеленого оттенка. При разном освещении кайма листьев может окраситься в темно-коричневый или желтый оттенок. Длинные листья на пестром стволе растут только в верхней части, что делает этот сорт драцены очень схожей с пальмой.

Сандера

Сандеру часто сравнивают с бамбуком. Ствол драцены действительно похож на это растение. Посадив несколько растений в одну емкость, их стволы красиво переплетают и получается эффектная композиция.

Голдена

У нее весьма высокая декоративность. Отличается коротким стволом, а на маленьких черешках вырастают кожистые, удлиненные и плотные листья темно-зеленого оттенка.

В уходе сорт более капризный, чем большинство других драцен. Температурный режим выше 20^оС должен поддерживаться всегда, никаких сквозняков, перепадов температур и прямого солнца.

Особенности ухода

Для благополучия драцены, ее роста и развития нужно соблюдать основные требования и условия содержания.

Температура

Создать подходящие температурные условия легко, поскольку она комфортно себя чувствует при 18-23^оС. Это обычная средняя температура любого жилого или офисного помещения. На летний период можно выносить кадку с цветком на балкон или лоджию. Зимой более предпочтительна температура 15-20^оС.

Сквозняки могут стать губительными для драцены, хотя свежий воздух ей необходим. Проветривания помещения проводить необходимо, но избегая сквозняков.

Освещение

Все драцены любят хорошее освещение, но прямое солнце для них губительно. В связи с этим, южная сторона растению не подойдет и может сгубить его. Можно размещать его на восточной или западной стороне, а в солнечное время горшок убирать от окна. В периоды короткого светового дня и в пасмурную погоду растение лучше дополнительно подсвечивать.

Влажность

Создать необходимый влажный микроклимат в помещении, где растет драцена, можно несколькими способами:

• Регулярный полив;
• Испарители (увлажнители, аквариумы, полотенца, емкости с водой и т.д.;
• Опрыскивание листьев и периодический душ.

Полив

В период активной вегетации растение стоит поливать обильно. Важно проверять, просох ли верхний слой грунта. В зимние месяцы, когда у драцены период отдыха, необходимо ограничиться поливом 1 раз в течение недели и убедиться в просыхании всего земляного кома.

Перелива и переувлажнения почвы допускать не стоит, поскольку последствия могут быть плачевными. Полив осуществлять лучше профильтрованной водой, либо бросать в воду уголь, пока она отстаивается.

Обрезка

Смена листьев для драцены – естественный процесс. У нее оголяется ствол при сбрасывании листвы. Чтобы растение укоротить и способствовать его разветвлению, проводят обрезку.

Обычно срезают 12-15 см макушки со стволом. Затем растение убрать в затемненное помещение и прекратить полив. Это способствует обновлению и разветвлению цветка. Когда появятся новые листья, растение ставят на нормальное место.

Размножение

Оставшуюся после обрезки макушку и ствол используют для размножения драцены. Эту отводку помещают в емкость с теплой водой, где развести активированный уголь. На появление корней при этом способе может уйти 2 или 3 месяца. После этого цветок садят в постоянный горшок.

Также можно провести размножение черенкованием.

• Срезать стебель острым ножом;
• Разрезать его на части по 5-6 см;
• Каждый кусочек надрезать и вставить в грунт;
• Накрыть черенки банкой или обрезанной пластиковой бутылкой, убрать в теплое место;
• Периодически черенки проветривать и опрыскивать водой;
• Через пару месяцев черенок укоренится и его можно пересаживать.

Посадка и пересадка

Для посадки и пересадки важно правильно по размеру подобрать горшок. Например, для растения высотой 40 см подойдет горшок диаметром 15 см. Обязательным условием является дренажный слой. Это может быть керамзит или другой дренажный материал. После посадки растение необходимо полить, а также использовать подкормку, стимулирующую рост.

Пересаживать молодые растения следует каждый год, взрослые экземпляры – 1 раз в 2-3 года.

Вредители и болезни

Драцена достаточно устойчива к вредителям, но порой некоторые из них омрачают жизнь растению и его хозяйке.

• Паутинный клещ – самый распространенный гость драцен. Его появление может быть вызвано очень сухой и жаркой погодой. Об их появлении сигнализируют желтые проколы и пятна на листьях, а на обратной стороне можно увидеть паутинку. Для борьбы с паутинным клещом драцену промывают под душем, а затем обрабатывают инсектицидом.
• Щитовка очень любит растение. Она быстро захватывает растение, проводя его к полному уничтожению. В начальной стадии заражения можно использовать мыльный раствор с добавлением водки, промывая этим составом зараженные участки. При более обширном заражении обработать драцену сильным инсектицидом.
• Мучнистые червецы – не переносят мыльный раствор, поэтому при их обнаружении провести обработку. Однако их появление это только симптом. Основная причина заражения и болезни цветка кроется в чем-то другом. Важно найти эту причину и устранить ее. После обработки растения обязательно обработать подоконник и проверить соседние растения.

Основной проблемой у драцен является пожелтение кончиков листьев. Это влияет на общее состояние растение и его внешний вид. Такие проблемы зачастую возникают из-за неправильного ухода:

• Сухой воздух;
• Недостаток влаги;
• Резкие перепады температур или охлаждение цветка.

Чтобы справиться с этим, необходимо проверить условия содержания драцены и обеспечить ее необходимым правильным уходом.

При соблюдении всех необходимых условий, тропическая красавица драцена будет долгое время создавать в Вашем доме атмосферу экзотики, красоты и комфорта.

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I prefer this plant due to two reasons mostly: first of all, it grows fast, and secondly, it’s not a big deal to care for it. 90003 90002 It does best in partial shade or filtered sun, reasonable humidity and the temperatures ranging from 60 ° F to 75 ° F.Light frosts are to be avoided. The soil should be constantly moist. This type is also called the Happiness Tree, and with minimal effort it is the sunshine of my home indeed! 90021 90003 90021 I like 90007 Dracaena marginata 90008 (Rainbow plant or Madagascar dragon tree) too because it is so graceful! It is characterized by stiff, colorful leaves and can each up to 15 feet in height. 90002 This cultivar is also low-maintenance and forgiving. Find the warm and dry spot for it, make sure you provide it with plenty of sunlight, and there will be no doubt — the specimen will respond.The most incredible, to my mind, is that it is an impactful air purifier as well. 90003 90002 I would also recommend your purchasing the lucky bamboo plant. I was really surprised when I got to know that this species is not a bamboo tree and that it actually belongs to dracaena genus. 90003 90002 Having this houseplant, you will kill two birds with one stone: it will adorn your lodgings with its exotic look and will bring good fortune into the place where it is kept (at least the Chinese were convinced it would).It is well known that the cultivar is not difficult to grow. If not for the water that must be replaced every seven days, the plant could be left for several weeks without any health issues. 90003 90002 Another species which is pretty popular with the gardeners is 90007 Dracaena reflexa 90008 (Song of India). Foliage variations of this specimen differ. You will probably see the yellow edged type of this cultivar in garden stores, though. 90003 90002 This plant can bloom. However, its small white flowers are no 90003.90000 Dracaena sanderiana — Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 90001 90002 90003 90004 Dracaena sanderiana 90005 90006, also called 90004 Ribbon Dracaena 90005, 90004 Lucky Bamboo 90005, 90004 Belgian Evergreen 90005 or sometimes 90004 Ribbon Plant 90005, is a kind of 90003 Dracaena 90006. It comes from Central Africa. It is one of a group of small, shrubby plants with slender stems and flexible strap-shaped leaves. They grow in rainforests as an upright shrub that can be up to 1.5 m tall. Its leaves are 15-25 cm long and 1.5-4 cm broad at the base. It is sold in the developed world as «Lucky Bamboo» often cited as being good for feng shui. This name is a misnomer however, as the plant is not related to bamboo. New plants come from short cuttings which are often kept in water. 90017 90002 90003 Dracaena sanderiana 90006 and related plants are popular houseplants. There are many cultivars. The plant can survive in many indoor conditions, but indirect lighting is best.Direct sunlight can cause the leaves to turn yellow and burn. 90017 90002 Although it grows better in soil, it often is sold with the roots in water. The water should be completely changed every two weeks. The water should be bottled water, soft tap water with very little fluoride, or even water from a filtered, established aquarium. It does best in bright, indirect lighting and temperatures between 15 ° C and 25 ° C. 90017 90002 Pet stores often sell this plant in black plastic pots with slots in them.They say that it can live under the water. 90003 Dracaena sanderiana 90006 will only live for a few months under the water. It will start to rot unless the leaves are allowed to grow above the water’s surface. 90017 90002 Yellow or brown leaf edges may be caused by too much direct light, crowded roots, or fluoridated or chlorinated water. Salty or softened water can also cause brown leaf edges. 90017 90002 Twisted shapes are made by rotating the plant so that it bends towards the light. This is hard to do for many people, but patient people can make the plant take on new shapes.90017 90032 .90000 Madagascar Dragon Tree Care Instructions: How To Care For A Dracaena Marginata 90001 90002 The Madagascar Dragon Tree remains one of the easiest houseplants to look after, which has long been reflected in its popularity in both homes and offices. Along with being very easy to care for, this plant is also very inexpensive to buy, looks attractive, and rates highly on the NASA list of houseplants that absorb toxins from the air, thereby making the air in your home a better quality (NASA Clean AIr Study- Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement).90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90008 Dragon Tree Overview 90009 90010 Quick Facts 90011 90012 90013 90014 90015 90016 Origin 90017 90018 90015 Madagascar 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Scientific Name 90017 90018 90015 Dracaena Marginata 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Family 90017 90018 90015 Asparagaceae 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Type 90017 90018 90015 Evergreen Tree 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Common Names 90017 90018 90015 Madagascar Dragon Tree 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Varieties 90017 90018 90015 Dracaena Marginata Tarzan, Dracaena Marginata Tricolor, Dracaena Marginata Colorama 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Ideal Temperature 90017 90018 90015 70-80 ° F (21.1-26.7 ° C) 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Toxicity 90017 90018 90015 Poisonous to dogs and cats 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Light 90017 90018 90015 Part shade, part moderate indirect light 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Watering 90017 90018 90015 Allow to dry out between watering 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Humidity 90017 90018 90015 Moderate humidity 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Pruning 90017 90018 90015 Prune to prevent excess height when required 90018 90021 90014 90015 90016 Pests 90017 90018 90015 Mostly resistant to pests 90018 90021 90118 90119 90002 90003 90008 How to Care for Your Dragon Tree 90009 90010 Watering 90011 90126 90002 Overwatering is the cause of most problems with this plant.To maintain the best health, only water your Madagascar Dragon Tree when the top inch of the soil is dry. You can test this by simply dipping your finger into the soil. When you do water the plant, give it a thorough watering and then, tip out any water that has collected in the drip tray. 90003 90002 This plant does not like to sit in wet soil, and it can lead to root rot, among other problems. If you’re underconfident with your level of watering, err on the side of caution. Depriving this plant of water will cause much less harm than giving it too much water.In winter, when the plant’s growth becomes much slower, it will need even less watering. 90003 90002 You will find that often the plant can happily go three weeks at a time between waterings. This makes it an especially good plant for people who are forgetful when it comes to caring for their plant, or people who are busy, or who travel often. If you are going away on vacation, there’s usually no need to organize somebody to come over and water your Madagascar Dragon Tree, as it will survive just fine without water while you’re gone.90003 90002 If you live in an area that has a high fluoride content in the tap water, then you may wish to water your Madagascar Dragon Tree with distilled water, as it is particularly sensitive to fluoride. Fluoride in the plant’s water can lead to yellowing foliage or other discoloration of leaves (University of Vermont- Department of Plant and Soil Science). 90003 90002 Alternatively, you could collect rainwater in containers outside to water your plant with. This is an economical and eco-friendly method of plant watering, though obviously can only be utilized during rainy seasons.90003 90010 Lighting 90011 90139 Madagascar Dragon Tree enjoys light by the windowsill 90002 Moderate indirect light is best for the Madagascar Dragon Tree. It will enjoy living in some shade, as long as it is not too dark. If the plant does not get enough light, then newly grown leaves will be smaller and sickly looking. The opposite, too much light, is equally problematic, with direct light scorching the leaves (Missouri Botanical Garden). 90003 90002 Keep the plant away from any windows that receive a lot of sunlight, or if you must keep the plant on a windowsill, then filter the light with blinds or thin panels of fabric.90003 90010 Temperature 90011 90002 The Madagascar Dragon Tree likes similar temperatures to humans, meaning if you’re comfortable in your home, then your plant will be too. The ideal temperature range for this plant is 16-24 ° C / 60-75 ° F, though it can just about tolerate temperatures as low as 50 ° F. Anything below 50 ° F will result in a very unhealthy plant, so if you have put your Dragon Tree outside for the summer, then it must be brought back inside before temperatures drop too low. 90003 90002 Due to this plant enjoying the warmth, it’s best to home it in a room you commonly spend time in.If you place it in a rarely used rec room or guest bedroom that does not often have the heat turned on, then it may get too chilly in the winter and start to lose leaves. Similarly, if you live in s colder climate and go away for any length of time during the winter, then you’ll need to set the heating on a timer so that your plant does not die of cold while you’re gone. 90003 90002 The fact that the Madagascar Dragon Tree enjoys a similar temperature to people is another element that makes it a good houseplant, as little thought needs to go into keeping the plant well.90003 90010 Humidity 90011 90002 The average humidity found in homes is suitable for this plant, though particularly dry air might be an issue. To combat this, mist the plant occasionally with a fine water spray. This will help to increase the humidity around the plant, and it also helps to reduce the buildup of dust that can sometimes affect the leaves. As well as looking unappealing, the dust buildup is a common problem for this type of plant, as the dust layer prevents light from getting to the leaves, effectively putting the plant into a heavy shade.90003 90010 Feeding 90011 90002 The Madagascar Dragon Tree will do just fine without any feeding, especially for a while after you first bring it home because the soil will have plenty of nutrients in it to keep the plant going. If you insist on feeding it, then choose a slow release fertilizer and dilute it to a half or quarter of the recommended strength. This plant is quite sensitive when it comes to feeding, so getting the strength wrong could lead to fertilizer burn. 90003 90002 Once the plant is mature, you need only feed it once or twice during spring and summer, again at half the recommended dosage.In autumn and winter, it will not need to be fed at all. 90003 90002 The occasional fertilizer feed will encourage lots of bushy new growth, though the plant will survive without any feeding at all. When you re-pot the plant, it will get a nutrient boost from the new soil it is planted in, or, alternatively, you can change the topsoil annually to refresh it and introduce fresh nutrients. 90003 90010 Re-potting 90011 90002 This plant will grow in accordance with the size of its pot, so re-pot this plant with caution if you do not want a tall tree taking over your living room.With many houseplants, re-potting is essential for the health of the plant, as it will start to show symptoms of becoming unwell when the roots become pot-bound. This is not so much the case for the Madagascar Dragon Tree, and it will do quite well in a pot that has become saturated with root growth. 90003 90002 Younger Dragon Trees will need re-potting every two or years while they are growing, though never go more than one or two sizes up in one move. Once the plant has reached a height you are happy with, discontinue your re-potting schedule, and instead, just change the soil annually.This will both freshen up the nutrients in the pot, and also prevent the soil from becoming too compacted over time, which can create a drainage issue. 90003 90002 Madagascar Dragon Trees do quite well with little space for their roots, so re-potting is rarely a pressing issue for this plant. The only reason you may need to repot an older plant, in spite of not wanting it to gain any more height, is if it starts to suffer as a consequence of being in a small pot. 90003 90010 Pruning 90011 90002 Pruning of this plant is not essential, as it is slow growing and tends not to get messy or out of control.The only exception to this is if the plant gets too tall and you want to cut it back. You can cut the main stems as far back as you wish to shorten the height of the plant, and while it may look a little less attractive for a while, the cut end will start to show new growth in a month or two. Usually, when you cut back one of the main stems, it will then sprout two new stems from that same spot. 90003 90002 If you want to create a bushier, less leggy-looking plant, you can use this information to manipulate the plant into growing a little further outward instead of only upward.Trim back your main stems at whichever point you would like them to branch out, and enjoy a fuller, leafier plant. 90003 90010 Propagation 90011 90002 There are several different ways to propagate a Madagascar Dragon Tree, all of which usually have good levels of success. 90003 90002 To propagate with a stem cutting, cut the crown and a few inches of stem from the top of your mature plant, and plant this up in fresh soil. Rooting hormone can be used on the base of the stem cutting to encourage root growth, though this is not usually necessary, and propagation of this plant is generally successful without rooting hormone.Your planter cutting will need to be heated from underneath. If this is not possible, be sure to only attempt propagation during warm summer months when the cutting will naturally benefit from heat. 90003 90002 After you have cut off the top of a stem from the mother plant, at least two new stems, though often several, will grow from the cut end. At this point, you can decide whether you’d like to allow them to continue growing on your plant, or if you want to propagate more to make several Madagascar Dragon Trees.To propagate these new stems, cut them off at their base once they are a few inches long, and simply pot them into soil. Keep the soil moist but be sure not to overwater. As an alternative to soil, you could also propagate the cuttings in water, which is a good way to keep track of new root growth visually. 90003 90008 Varieties 90009 90010 Dracaena Marginata Tarzan 90011 90190 Dracaena Marginata ‘Tarzan’ — Credit to BotBIn 90002 This cultivar of the Madagascar Dragon Tree stands out with its longer and wider leaves, which are a glossy green with dark purple edges.The foliage of this plant sticks out in all directions, making the shape of a ball, which is distinctly different from the ordinary Dragon Tree. 90003 90002 The leaves of the Tarzan are also tougher than in other cultivars, having a sturdier quality. The plant requires very similar care to the ordinary Dragon Tree, though it is even more tolerant of shade than its relatives. The Dracaena Tarzan is not only able to survive in shaded conditions, but it can even grow while in the shade. 90003 90002 This cultivar has seen increasing popularity among plant lovers since its discovery in Florida in 1998 though it tends to be more expensive than other Dracaena cultivars and is usually only available from specialist retailers.Like the ordinary Dragon Tree, it is very easy to care for, with an attractive tropical appearance. It is both pest-resistant and drought-resistant, thriving inside or outside in most conditions. 90003 90010 Dracaena Marginata Tricolor 90011 90199 Dracaena marginata ‘tricolor’ 90002 This cultivar is the same as the original Madagascar Dragon Tree, though with a yellow or white stripe down the center of each green leaf, and the usual red border stripes along the external edges . From a distance, the yellow stripes next to the green give it a golden appearance.Aside from the added yellow stripe, this cultivar is very similar in terms of appearance to the original Dragon Tree. The conditions and care that it requires are also similar, though the plant will need brighter light than the original Dragon Tree. 90003 90010 Dracaena Marginata Colorama 90011 90204 Dracaena marginata ‘Colorama’ 90002 This cultivar features the same colors on its leaves as the tricolor, with the difference being that the reddish pink stripe on the edges of the leaves is thicker and more pronounced, giving the plant an overall more pink appearance.It grows almost identically to the original Madagascar Dragon Tree, the only difference being that it grows slightly slower. The high percentage of the leaves that feature color means that the foliage has less chlorophyll than the original Dragon Tree. This results in the plant needing more light to remain healthy and keep its colors looking vibrant. Do not keep this plant in a shaded area as you would an ordinary Dragon Tree; instead, sit it in an area of ​​bright but indirect light. 90003 90008 Common Problems 90009 90209 90010 Small Leaves 90011 90002 If the new growth on your Madagascar Dragon Tree comes in the form of small leaves, the problem is almost certainly too little light.Moving the plant to a brighter spot, though still away from direct light, should fix the issue. 90003 90010 Dropping Leaves 90011 90002 It can be quite alarming when your plant starts to lose its leaves, but as long as they are dropping from the underneath over the space of a few weeks, then it is not a cause for concern. New leaves grow from the crown at the top of each stem, and older leaves on the underneath fall off to make space for new growth. If your plant is still growing new leaves at the top, then falling leaves at the bottom are a perfectly normal part of the plant’s cycle.They often turn a yellow color before they fall, and again, this is normal, provided it is only happening to the underneath leaves as new growth happens above. 90003 90002 If yellowing leaves are dropping from all over the plant, then this could indicate a problem. Check the stem to see how firm it feels. A healthy plant will have a firm stem, while a squishy stem needs to be addressed 90003 90010 Soft Stem 90011 90002 A squishy stem is usually the result of prolonged overwatering, or in some instances can also be caused by very low temperatures.A squishy stem can rarely be saved as the damage inflicted on the plant runs too deep. However, if there are any firm spots on the stem, or if the crown still feels firm, then you can cut these parts and propagate them to grow a new plant from the remains of the old one. 90003 90010 Brown-Spotted Leaves 90011 90002 Brown spots on leaves are a symptom of the plant not getting enough water. It’s important to distinguish whether the brown marks are spots or blotches, because blotchy looking brown marks are caused by the opposite problem: overwatering.Identifying your issue and remedying it with either more or less water should resolve the problem. 90003 90010 Brown-Tipped Leaves 90011 90002 The tips of the leaves turn brown usually as a result of cold draughts getting to the plant. Another symptom of this can be the edges of the leaves turning yellow and thin. Remove any damaged parts of leaves and relocate the plant to a more appropriate place, away from windows or doors where cold draughts can occur. The plant should recover well when in better conditions.90003 90010 Pale Leaves 90011 90002 Pale or bleached leaves are the result of too much light. Direct light will scorch the leaves and lead to discoloration. Keep the plant in a bright spot away from indirect light, or, alternatively, in a spot with some occasional shade. 90003 90236 90002 We hope this growing guide helps you to care for your Madagascar Dragon Tree. If you have any further questions or tips you’d like to share, please leave a comment. And if you know anyone with a Madagascar Dragon Tree, do not forget to send this article! 90003 90239.90000 Madagascar Dragon Tree — Dracaena marginata 90001 90002 The Dracaena marginata is a species from a large plant genus (Dracaena) that has many variations in leaf sizes, leaf colors and different trunk types. The marginata is one of the most popular seen indoors that grows into an attractive plant and becomes a great focal point of a room, once it has matured enough. 90003 90002 90005 How it looks and grows: 90006 The leaves are quite slim compared to other Dracaena’s with arching leaves.There are three types, one has a dark red outer edge leaves with a green center, another is green in the center with red and yellowish stripes and the other the colorama has thick red edges. The leaves are produced when the trunk grows stems (cane) from the side that often needs to be trained (keeps them growing upwards). These stems have a grayish brown bark (the trunk) that can also produce smaller ones, so the Dragon tree really needs to be pruned to avoid the plant from growing in all directions.90003 90002 These are slow grower’s that can take about 10 years to reach over 5ft tall but look lush once they reach about a foot high. They have a very similar look like palm tree plants. 90003 90002 90005 Level of care: 90006 The Madagascar dragon tree is one of the easiest house plants to grow and takes neglect on the chin — then recovers quickly once the correct conditions and care is provided. The one I gave to my sister (about 5ft in height) over 10 years ago was neglected more than cared for and is now looking great.90003 90002 90005 Leaves falling: 90006 If leaves start dying and coming away at the bottom of the plant — do not worry. This is natural and similar to how a yucca tree sheds its bottom leaves for new growth. You can remove them once you see them deteriorating in appearance. 90003 90002 90005 Poisonous: 90006 This plant is toxic to both cats and dogs. The problem with cats is they love chewing the leaves, as I found out with my parents cats. My parents cats were fine, although they only nibbled a small amount.Because the leaves are very slim I’m sure they think it’s a type of grass. See more about pets and the effect toxins have here at the ASPCA. 90003 90002 90005 Improving air quality: 90006 The Dracaena marginata is one of the plants on NASA’s air filtering plants list (part of the NASA clean air study) that reduces benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and toluene, within the air. 90003 .