Madagascar Dragon Tree

The Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) is the indoor plant for a narrow corner that needs height. It reaches about 2m tall but only 1m across, carrying tufts of thin red edged leaves on slim grey stems, so it fills vertical space without taking over a room. It is also close to unkillable: it stores water in those stems and would rather be forgotten than fussed over.

Why you'll love it

• Height without bulk. At 2m by 1m it reads as a tree in a living room while leaving the floor around it clear.
• It forgives neglect. The stems hold their own water reserve, so a missed fortnight does no harm. Constant wet soil is the only real risk.
• It copes with moderate light. Bright indirect light is ideal, but it holds condition in a dimmer hallway or office where most feature plants thin out.
• Sculptural stems. Older plants develop bare, leaning canes topped with foliage, which is the look people buy this plant for.

Where it works best

Indoors. Living rooms, offices, stairwells and wide hallways all suit it, and once it is inside your climate stops mattering, which counts for a plant this frost tender.

Pots, balconies and courtyards. Outdoors it needs a frost free garden: tropical, subtropical or warm temperate. A sheltered balcony or courtyard pot in those zones works well.

Feature planting. In a warm garden it can go in the ground as a vertical accent among lower foliage, where the bare stems stay visible.

Growing Madagascar Dragon Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light indoors, or dappled shade outside. Direct midday sun through glass scorches the leaves. It will not take frost, so anywhere with cold winters it needs to be a pot that comes inside.

Soil. A free draining premium potting mix, in a pot with a working drainage hole. Do not leave water standing in the saucer.

Water and feed. Let the top third of the mix dry out, then soak it through: usually every two to three weeks in warm weather and less over winter. A half strength liquid feed monthly through spring and summer is all it wants.

Pruning. Cut a stem at any height and it will branch below the cut, which is how you thicken a leggy plant. Brown leaf tips usually mean dry air or salts building up, so flush the pot through occasionally.

What to expect when it arrives

Five sizes are grown: 200mm in packs of six, 250mm in packs of three, single 300mm and 400mm pots, and an advanced 90L that is currently on backorder. The 300mm is the usual choice for a first indoor plant, while the 400mm arrives with real height and several stems already.

Dracaena travels well, though a few lower leaves may yellow and drop after transit. Leave it somewhere bright and indirect for a week before watering. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the full guide to dragon tree care.
• 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. Dracaena is toxic to cats and dogs, and chewing the leaves can cause drooling, vomiting and loss of appetite. Keep it out of reach if your pet chews foliage.

Why are the lower leaves going brown and dropping?

Shedding the oldest leaves as new ones form is normal, and it is how the bare stem develops. Widespread browning usually points to overwatering or very dry air instead.

How do I stop it getting leggy?

Cut the stems back to the height you want in spring. Each cut stem sends out two or three new heads below it, which is the fastest way to a fuller plant.