Compact Dragon Tree

Compact Dragon Tree (Dracaena fragrans 'Compacta') is the tidiest dracaena you can buy. Short, glossy dark green leaves sit in tight rosettes along an upright cane, so a mature plant reaches about 1.5m tall and only 60cm wide. It is slow growing and genuinely low maintenance, which is why it turns up in so many offices and apartment corners.

Why you'll love it

• It keeps its shape. Unlike the looser dracaenas, the foliage stays in dense whorls, so the plant looks deliberate rather than shaggy.
• Narrow enough for a corner. At 1.5m by 60cm it gives vertical interest in a hallway or beside a lounge without eating floor space.
• Forgiving about water. The thick cane stores moisture, so a missed week does no harm. Overwatering is the far greater risk.
• Slow growing, which is a feature. It holds the same proportions for years, so there is no constant repotting.

Where it works best

Indoors. This is where most of them live. Bright indirect light in a lounge, office or hallway suits it, and your climate stops mattering once it is inside.

Pots and containers. A pot 300mm or wider carries it for several years. Drainage holes are not optional, since standing water rots the cane from the base.

Balconies and courtyards. In tropical and subtropical gardens it works outdoors in a sheltered shaded spot, out of hot afternoon sun and away from strong wind.

Growing Compact Dragon Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light gives the best growth; it tolerates lower light but slows right down. Direct sun through glass scorches the leaves. Outdoors it is a tropical and subtropical plant only, and it is frost tender, so anywhere that frosts it belongs inside or under cover.

Soil. A good quality free draining potting mix, opened up with perlite or coarse sand. It is happiest slightly root bound, so resist the urge to move it into a much larger pot.

Water and feed. Let the top few centimetres dry before watering again, roughly every one to two weeks in summer and less over winter, and tip the saucer out afterwards. Feed a half strength liquid fertiliser monthly through spring and summer.

Pruning. Remove lower leaves as they yellow with age, which is normal. If the cane gets too tall, cut it at the height you want in spring and it will branch from just below the cut.

What to expect when it arrives

It is sold in 200mm pots in packs of six, which suits a hallway run or an office fitout rather than a single desk plant. Each is established, with the cane and rosette form already developed, ready to slip into a decorative pot.

Dracaenas travel well: firm foliage, sturdy cane. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee. Give it a week to settle in its new light before you water, then expect slow, steady growth.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our complete dragon tree care guide.
• Browse the wider indoor plant range.
• Compare options for dim rooms in low light indoor plants.
• Pair it with a pot that drains properly.

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Dracaenas are toxic to cats and dogs, and chewing the leaves can cause drooling, vomiting and lethargy. Keep it raised or in a room your pet does not use.

Why are the leaf tips going brown?

Usually dry air, fluoride in tap water, or letting the mix dry out too far between drinks. Try filtered or rainwater and trim the brown tips off at an angle.

How much light does it actually need?

Bright indirect light is ideal, and it holds on in a dim corner, just growing slower. Direct sun is the one thing to avoid.

How often should I repot it?

Every three or four years, and only one pot size up. It prefers being snug, so frequent repotting sets it back rather than helping.