Dracaena Marginata Care: [Soil, Humidity and Pruning]

In this article we show you the important points that you must take into account regarding the care that the Dracaena Marginata requires. A wonderful flower that does not need much care but it is important to know some points.

Dracaena marginata (reflexa var. angustifolia), also known as dracaena, or fine-leaved drecaena, is one of the most easily cultivated species of the genus.

In fact, for that reason it is usually very popular, since it needs few requirements to grow.

However, despite being a simple plant, it is necessary to cover certain aspects for it to develop properly.

For this reason, we want to share this brief guide with the main care of the dracaena marginata. We hope you find it useful.

What soil needs does the dracaena marginata have?

Dracaena should be grown in pest-free, well-drained substrates with the ability to retain moisture and with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5.

Smaller plants grow better in mixtures with higher organic matter content.

In the case of larger plants, it is necessary to place them in a mixture in which the sand has a part of 10% to 20% of the total.

It should be a little more consistent to prevent the plant from falling due to strong wind currents.

If you are considering growing it in a pot, a multipurpose or universal substrate can work very well as long as it has good drainage. To do this, the earth can be combined with sand or lava rocks.

How to make the dracaena marginata grow strong and vigorous?

Dracaena is not a demanding plant. In fact, it requires moderate maintenance. However, below we share a series of care for the dracaena marginata so that it grows strong and vigorous.

Temperature

First of all, the dracaena has the ability to tolerate temperatures of up to 10°C for short periods of time and occasionally high temperatures of 32°C.

However, the best range is between 18 and 26°C, with the optimum being 22°C. On the other hand, it is important to keep it away from windows, as well as air conditioning that produces drafts.

Lightning

This plant needs to be exposed to medium levels of indirect lighting, or in partial shade to achieve its best growth. It can also survive low light conditions, however direct sun exposure should be avoided.

As such, 63% to 73% shade is required in the environment, although some species with red borders need more sun exposure. However, they will grow at a slower rate, or stop growing, if they are in extremely dark spaces.

Fertilization

The frequency of fertilization will depend on several factors, mainly on the amount of light to which the plant is exposed. In the case of plants that are exposed to high lighting or semi-shade, they must be paid once every 2 months.

On the other hand, they must be paid every 3 or 4 months if they are located in a place with little light. In case of using a liquid fertilizer in indoor plants, it is recommended to apply it once a month during the growth stage, suspending it during the winter.

What humidity does the dracaena marginata need?

The dracaena marginata is not a species with great water demand since it is enough to keep the substrate moist so that it is in good condition.

In fact, it is more tolerant than most plants to dry soil and irregular watering. However, although it is drought tolerant, it is important that the soil remains moist.

Allowing the surface to dry before watering it again. Although the frequency of watering will depend on the conditions in which the plant is, it can be watered once every 10 to 14 days.

It is important to reduce the frequency of irrigation during the winter and water with filtered water, or with little fluoride.

Is it necessary to prune the dracaena marginata?

The dracaena marginata grows up to 6 meters high, so pruning is one of the precautions that many growers use to control the size and dimensions of this plant.

Pruning is also very useful to remove leaves that dry out over time. In addition, it favors the growth of new shoots, which can be used to propagate the plant.

How often should we prune the dracaena marginata?

For Dracanea marginata, it’s important to do any major pruning or cutting in early spring, just before its growing season. This will allow the plant to focus nutrients on the new shoots and leaves.

How to prevent the appearance of pests and diseases in the dracaena marginata?

The best way to prevent the appearance of pests and diseases in the dracaena marginata is to locate it in a place where the environmental conditions best suit its requirements.

First of all, it is important to maintain the pH at the recommended levels, as well as the humidity level. It is also recommended to check the fluoride content in the water and check that the fertilizers do not include it within their components either.

Regarding diseases, the dracaena marginata can be affected by the bacteria Erwinia carotovora and chrysanthemi which cause root rot. To avoid these problems, it is recommended to avoid excess irrigation and manage healthy crops.

In relation to pests, the main ones come from mosquitoes, mealybugs, scales and thrips. To control them, a set of measures are recommended, such as reducing the amount of water and applying appropriate systemic insecticides for each case.

Conclusions

Dracaena marginata, in addition to being an elegant and simple plant, is very easy to grow. In summary, attention must be paid to lighting, moisture and soil nutrients, which we specify in each section.

We hope that this brief guide on the care of the dracaena marginata will allow you to have the bases so that your plants reach their maximum splendor. We invite you to continue reading our blog where you will find more information about dracaenas.

Bibliographic references

Maybe you are also interested in:

Dracaena Marginata Care: [Soil, Humidity and Pruning]

What soil needs does the dracaena marginata have?