Full Size Dracaena 'Marginata'

Description

Meet your new favorite drama queen – the Dracaena Marginata Red Dragon! She isn't just surviving, she's THRIVING with stunning red-edged leaves that say "I woke up like this." She's the plant equivalent of walking into a room and owning it.

While other houseplants demand constant attention, this diva maintains her gorgeous form with minimal fuss. Those slender, arching leaves with fiery red margins aren't just for show – they're her signature move, transforming ordinary spaces into "did you hire a designer?" spaces.

Care 

How to take care of a dragon tree

Your Dragon Tree thrives in bright, indirect light but won't throw a tantrum in partial shade. Water her every 2-3 weeks when the top two inches of soil feel dry – she'd rather be thirsty than soggy (relatable, right?).

Dragon Tree care isn’t hard work. An occasional misting feels like a spa day to her. Keep temperatures between 65-75°F, and feed her lightly in spring and summer if you're feeling generous. Dracaena Marginata care is pretty simple. She's basically the chill friend who's always easy to have around.

How to grow and care for Dragon Tree indoors

Want to give your red-edged Dracaena her best life indoors? Park her in bright, indirect light. She's not thirsty – water when the top half of soil feels dry, about every 2-3 weeks, and she'll reward you with those gorgeous leaves.

Plant her in well-draining, loamy soil with some peat moss mixed in. She's cool with normal home humidity but appreciates occasional misting, especially if your place runs dry. Keep temperatures between 65-75°F and avoid cold drafts – she's tropical and likes to stay warm like the rest of us!

How do I repot my Madagascar Dragon Tree?

Is your Madagascar Dragon Tree ready for a little home upgrade action? Wait until Spring or early fall for the prime repotting time, but only do this every 3-4 years when she's bursting out of her current digs. 

Choose a pot just 1-3 inches wider with drainage holes (wet feet = unhappy dragon), and fill with well-draining, loamy soil mixed with peat moss. Water her before the big move to ease the transition, then gently relocate, add fresh soil, and water lightly. She'll be showing off new growth in no time!

Where is the best place to put a dragon plant?

Your Dragon Tree is ready for her spotlight moment in a spot with bright, indirect light – think east-facing windows or any room with filtered sunshine. She's auditioning for "Most Dramatic Foliage" and needs good lighting to showcase those red-edged leaves.

Keep her away from direct sun (sunburn is so last season) and cold drafts (she's tropical, darling). Whether she's making a statement in your living room or adding jungle vibes to your office, she'll thrive as long as she can avoid those extreme temperature fluctuations.

Can I put my Dracaena Marginata outside in the summer? 

Yes, your indoor dragon can totally vacation outdoors during summer! Just make sure temperatures stay above 59°F – she's from Madagascar and has zero tolerance for chilly weather (who can blame her?). Have her back inside before temperatures drop in fall.

Place her in a shaded or semi-shaded spot where she's protected from that harsh midday sun – think of her as needing good sunglasses and SPF 50. Then she'll enjoy the summer breeze and extra humidity.

How often should I water Marginata? 

Water your Dracaena Marginata every 2-3 weeks, letting the top half of soil dry completely between drinks. During her spring and summer growth spurts, she might appreciate slightly more frequent watering, while in winter she'll barely sip.

Can Dracaena get too much sun? 

Your Dragon Tree might love being the center of attention, but too much sun and those gorgeous leaves will develop unsightly brown tips or fade faster than your summer tan - relocate her to a less sunny spot pronto!

Can I cut the top off my Dracaena plant and replant that? 

Yes! Your Dracaena is basically a propagation playground waiting to happen. You can lop off a healthy stem section, remove the lower leaves, then either pop it in water until roots form or plant directly in moist soil.

It's like plant magic – within weeks, roots will develop and your cutting will establish itself as a whole new plant. This trick is perfect when your Dragon Tree gets too tall or you want to share the plant love with friends. Plus, your original plant will often sprout new growth below the cut!

Should you mist a Dragon Tree?

Misting your Dragon Tree is like offering her a refreshing tropical vacation spray! While it’s not absolutely necessary with your average home humidity, an occasional mist makes her feel right at home in her own personal Madagascar.

Think of it as a spa treatment rather than essential care – she appreciates the gesture in dry environments or during winter when heating systems zap moisture from the air. For extra humidity points, group her with other plants or set up on a pebble tray with water.

How much water does a Madagascar Dragon Tree need?

Your Madagascar Dragon Tree is practically a camel when it comes to water needs! She prefers her soil to dry out completely between drinks, so only water when the top half feels dry to the touch – typically every 2-3 weeks.

Overwatering is her nemesis and will lead to root rot faster than you can say "drainage holes." Meanwhile, underwatering might cause brown tips, but she's generally more forgiving of drought than drowning. When in doubt, wait another day before watering – she's a resilient diva!

How much light does a Dragon Tree need?

Your Dragon Tree craves bright, indirect light to show off those stunning red-edged leaves in all their glory! Think dappled sunshine or a few feet back from a bright window – the kind of lighting that’s perfect for taking selfies.

While she'll tolerate partial shade (she's flexible like that), too little light means slower growth and less vibrant color in those signature red margins. East-facing windows are her sweet spot, but she'll adapt to most lighting situations like the easy-going plant friend she is.

Should a Dragon Tree be inside or outside? 

Your Dragon Tree is the ultimate homebody. She's tropical through and through, preferring the controlled temperatures of your home to the unpredictable outside world. That said, she enjoys summer vacations outdoors if temperature will stay above 59°F. 

Just keep her in a protected spot away from direct midday sun, and bring her back inside before temperatures drop. Think of her as your plant roommate who occasionally enjoys a brief outdoor adventure!

Can Dracaena Marginata survive in low-light conditions?

Dracaena Marginata will survive in low-light conditions, maintaining her stylish good looks even when the spotlight isn't directly on her. While she grows faster and develops more vibrant red edges in brighter spots, she'll still thrive in shadier corners. 

Her growth might slow down and her colors may be slightly less dramatic, but she'll keep that striking architectural form that made you fall in love with her in the first place.

Pet-friendly?

Sadly, this fabulous Dragon Tree isn't the best roommate for your furry friends. She contains compounds called saponins that are mildly to moderately toxic to both cats and dogs.

Is the Dracaena Marginata safe for dogs?

Unfortunately, your Dragon Tree and Fido aren't a match made in heaven. If your curious canine decides to make a snack out of those striking leaves, they might experience vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or weakness – talk about a party pooper!

Symptoms are usually mild unless your pup goes on a serious Dracaena binge, but it's best to keep this plant out of reach. If you catch your dog nibbling, it's worth a call to the vet just to be safe. Better yet, create a physical boundary between your dog and this dramatic beauty.

Is the Dracaena Marginata poisonous to cats?

Your feline friend and this fabulous Dragon Tree need to set some serious boundaries! The Dracaena Marginata is really toxic to cats, causing a range of unpleasant symptoms if they decide to taste those tempting red-edged leaves.

If your cat turns plant nibbler, watch for vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite, dilated pupils, and lethargy. These symptoms require veterinary attention, so it's best to place this stunning statement plant where your cat can admire it from a distance only – think high shelves or rooms where Fluffy isn't allowed to prowl.

Factoids

What are the different types of Dragon Tree? 

The Dragon Tree family is like a fashionable plant squad, each member with their own signature style! The Dracaena marginata 'Colorama' struts her stuff with pink, white, and green striped leaves, while 'Magenta' flaunts green leaves with show-stopping magenta-red edges.

For something more substantial, 'Tarzan' brings wider, tougher leaves to the party. The 'Tricolor' is the fancy one, sporting green leaves with white and pink bands. Beyond the marginata crew, you'll find cousins like Dracaena draco from the Canary Islands and the rare Dracaena cinnabari from Socotra – the extended family is just as fabulous!

Does a Dracaena plant purify air? 

Your Dragon Tree isn't just a pretty face – she's working behind the scenes as part of your clean-air crew! NASA's Clean Air Study found these beauties help remove indoor toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from your air.

Don't expect miracle-level purification from just one plant, though. The real-world effect is modest unless you're basically living in a jungle (which, honestly, sounds amazing). Think of air purification as a delightful bonus feature rather than her main job – she's already stunning enough just standing there!

Do Dracaena like bathrooms? 

Your Dragon Tree is totally down for spa vibes! Bathrooms with decent indirect light are like luxury resorts for these humidity-loving plants. They'll soak up all that shower steam like it's a five-star treatment. Just make sure there's enough light.

East-facing bathroom windows create the perfect balance of bright, indirect light and moisture that'll have your Dracaena living its best tropical life!

What is the life span of a Dracaena plant?

Your Dragon Tree is in it for the long haul! These plants typically live 5-15 years indoors, but with the right care, they can stick around even longer, like that friend who helps you move and then stays for dinner.

With consistent care, proper light, and just enough (but not too much) water, your Dragon Tree could be with you through multiple apartments, relationship changes, and life milestones. She's the plant equivalent of a loyal companion who grows more interesting and characterful with age!

How long does it take a Dragon Tree to fully grow? 

Your Dragon Tree isn't racing to the finish line – she's taking the scenic route! These slow-growing beauties take their sweet time. She’s going to need about 8-10 years to reach her full indoor height of around 6 feet.

Think of her as the plant equivalent of a long-term investment. She'll steadily grow taller and more impressive year after year, developing that classic tree-like form with multiple stems and dramatic leaf clusters. The patience pays off with a stunning, architectural statement plant that keeps getting better with age!

Buy a Dracaena Marginata

Bring home your very own drama queen. Our Dracaena Marginata arrives fresh from our greenhouse, via our specialized freight service to ensure those gorgeous leaves arrive perfectly intact. No bent leaves, no damaged stems – just plant perfection at your doorstep!

Want to see your exact plant before purchasing? Schedule a virtual shopping call where you can literally point and say "THAT one!" to claim your perfect Dragon Tree. We'll show you every angle and answer all your questions before your new leafy roommate begins its journey to you!