Dracaena arborea, known as Tree Dracaena, African Dragon Tree, or Slender Dragon Tree, is a popular indoor plant. Its attractive appearance and straightforward care make it a common choice, enhancing aesthetics and purifying air by removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene.
Characteristics of Dracaena arborea
Dracaena arborea has a tall, slender form with a dense crown of dark green, dagger-shaped leaves, often exceeding 40 cm long and 4 cm wide. As it matures, older leaves shed, revealing a woody trunk up to 30 cm in diameter. Originating from western and west-central wet tropical Africa, it thrives as an understory plant, growing upright and often branching.
Dracaena arborea Care Guide
Caring for Dracaena arborea requires understanding its needs for light, water, soil, temperature, humidity, and fertilization. Consistent care helps it thrive.
Light
Dracaena arborea thrives in bright, indirect sunlight; an east-facing window is ideal. While it tolerates lower light, direct sun can scorch leaves, causing browning or yellowing. Insufficient light may stunt growth or dull leaf color. Rotate the plant every 2-3 weeks for even light exposure, preventing lopsided growth.
Watering
Dracaena arborea prefers slightly dry conditions to avoid root rot. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry between waterings. Water thoroughly until drainage occurs, then discard excess from the saucer. Watering frequency varies with light, temperature, and humidity; over twice a month can be excessive.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining, loose potting mix prevents soggy conditions and allows roots to breathe. Improve standard indoor potting soil drainage by adding perlite, bark chips, or coarse sand. When repotting, choose a container 1-2 inches wider than the current pot with drainage holes. Repot every 2-3 years, or when root-bound, to refresh soil and support growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Dracaena arborea prefers warm environments, ideally 70-80°F (21-27°C). It is sensitive to sudden temperature changes and cold drafts; avoid placing it near open windows, AC units, or heating vents. The plant appreciates moderate to high humidity (50-60%). Low humidity can cause brown leaf tips; regular misting or a pebble tray helps.
Fertilization
During the active growing season (spring through early fall), Dracaena arborea benefits from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) monthly. Dilute to half-strength to prevent salt buildup, which can harm roots. Reduce or stop fertilization during winter when growth slows.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Several issues can affect Dracaena arborea, often signaling environmental imbalances or pest infestations. Prompt identification and correction maintain plant health.
Yellowing leaves often indicate improper soil moisture, especially overwatering leading to root rot; under-watering can also cause leaves to yellow and drop. If only lower leaves yellow, it may be natural aging as new growth emerges. Brown leaf tips result from low humidity, inconsistent watering, or sensitivity to tap water chemicals like chlorine and fluoride. Filtered water or letting tap water sit overnight dissipates these.
Dracaena arborea is resistant to indoor pests, but mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, and thrips are problems. Mealybugs appear as white, cottony masses; scale insects are tiny, waxy bumps that suck sap. Spider mites are indicated by fine webbing and tiny brown or yellow specks on leaf undersides. Fungus gnats, while not harmful, suggest overly moist soil. Treat pests by washing the plant, applying insecticidal soap, or neem oil.
Pruning and Propagation Techniques
Pruning Dracaena arborea maintains its shape, controls size, and encourages bushier growth. Propagation creates new plants.
Prune to remove dead, damaged, or yellowing foliage, or to reduce plant height. The ideal time for significant pruning is during spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing. Use clean, sharp shears or a knife for angled cuts to reduce infection risk and promote new branching. For minor tidying, remove individual brown or yellow leaves by hand or trim with scissors, leaving a small brown margin. New shoots develop from the pruned area, leading to a fuller appearance.
Dracaena arborea propagates easily through stem cuttings. After pruning, place healthy stem sections in water until roots develop (several weeks). Once roots are at least an inch long, plant cuttings in a well-draining potting mix. During initial weeks, new sprouts benefit from increased watering to establish root systems, allowing gardeners to multiply their Dracaena arborea collection.