Basic Dragon Tree Care
Dragon Trees are very easy plants to care for. They bounce back quickly from improper care and will repay you with fast growth if looked after well. In our Dragon Tree care guide, you will find all the tips and info you need to help your plant thrive.
| Light |
Bright Indirect LightI love the sunshine but too much direct light will damage my leaves. |
| Water |
Water ModeratelyI don’t like my soil to be too dry or too soggy. Little and often is what I’m after. |
| Humidity |
Medium HumidityPlease make sure the air isn’t too dry, otherwise I won’t be a happy plant. |
| Soil |
Potting SoilI need soil specifically for indoor plants as it retains the right amount of water. |
Dragon Plants like bright indirect light
Make sure you don’t place your Dragon Tree in direct light as this will burn and damage the leaves, which is irreversible. Don’t worry if your Dragon Tree is in a slightly shadier spot, it just means it might grow a bit slower.
Be careful not to overwater your Dragon Tree
Dragon Trees won’t die on you if you give them too much water every so often, but constant overwatering will lead to root rot and other issues. Make sure to check the soil’s moisture before watering.
Dragon Trees aren't temperature sensitive
Don’t worry too much about getting the right temperature for your Dragon Tree. If it is comfortable for you to live in, it will be fine for your Dragon Tree. Just make sure to keep it away from air vents and radiators.
Use regular potting soil
Unlike some other houseplants, Dragon Trees aren’t fussy about their potting soil. Just use a nice high-quality soil and your plant will be fine.
Mist your Dragon Tree's leaves
Although you don’t need to worry too much about humidity levels for your Dragon Tree, we recommend misting the leaves every couple of weeks to increase plant health.
Dragon Trees like fresh air
Over winter, your Dragon Tree can suffer with all the warm stuffy heating air. Try to open the windows and air out your home to increase the circulation of fresh air.
Repot your Dragon Tree every few years
The best way to tell whether or not your Dragon Tree needs repotting is to see if there are any roots popping out at the bottom of the pot. We recommend repotting your Dragon Tree every two years into a pot a few cm bigger in diameter than the previous one.
Propagating your Dragon Tree is easy
You can propagate your Dragon Tree using a stem cutting. Be sure to cut a few inches off the top and place in water for a few weeks until roots start to form.
Prune the old leaves off your Dragon Tree
Naturally, over time, your Dragon Tree will start to shed some of its lower leaves. Once you see the leaves yellowing you can remove them carefully. You can also prune your Dragon Tree into your desired shape and size.
Unfortunately, Dragon Trees are toxic to pets
You might want to keep your Dragon Tree plant away from your dogs and cats as they can be toxic if ingested and can cause long-term issues if eaten in large quantities over time.
Dragon Tree FAQs
Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the Dragon Tree .
Are Dragon Trees easy to care for?
Yes, Dragon Trees are one of the easiest houseplants to care for. They adapt well to a range of environments and are quite forgiving when it comes to their care routine. We often recommend them to beginner houseplant parents because they have such simple care requirements.
How often should I water my Dragon Tree?
You want to be watering your Dragon Tree about once a week during spring and summer but cut this to fortnightly during autumn and winter. Your Dragon Tree won’t die straight away if you overwater it but will start to suffer if the issue continues so just monitor the moisture levels in the soil to make sure you’re watering correctly.
Are Dragon Trees toxic?
Unfortunately, Dragon Trees are toxic and can cause stomach issues if consumed so keep your pets away from them if they might eat the leaves.
Common Problems with your Dragon Tree
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
Why are my Dragon Tree's leaves brown?
Brown leaves on a Dragon Tree plant are usually a sign of watering issues. Dry crispy leaves are due to a lack of water and brown soft leaves are usually due to overwatering and water-logged soil.
Why does my Dragon Tree have brown tips?
Brown tips on your Dragon Tree’s leaves are either caused by dry air and a lack of humidity, or underwatering.
Bottom leaves turning yellow
Yellowing leaves at the bottom of your Dragon Tree is nothing to worry about. It is a sign of natural ageing. Your Dragon Tree is prioritising new growth and shedding the older leaves.
