The tropical plant dracaena in its natural growing conditions is a large multi-meter tree. At home, this flower grows much smaller, but retains its species qualities and characteristics. Dracaenas are popular for their exotic appearance, beautiful colorful foliage and ease of care. Because of this, they are often used to decorate apartments, houses and offices.
Dracaenas are trees or succulent shrubs that belong to the genus of the Asparagus family. According to various sources, there are from 40 to 150 species in nature. Most of them grow in Africa.
This evergreen tree has a tree-like, straight and even trunk, which thickens with age due to the activity of stem meristems. As an indoor plant, dracaena is grown for its beautiful leaves. In some plant species they are narrow, in others they are quite wide. But all the leaves have their original colors. In young trees they point upward. With age, the leaves first deviate to the sides and then bend down. They are located in bunches on the upper rosettes of the trunk. The lower leaves fall off as the tree grows, leaving scars on the trunk. 
Dracaena - meaning
In Central and South America, this plant is called " tree of happiness" The name appeared thanks to an Aztec legend, according to which a man who fell in love with the daughter of the high priest of war was given the task of growing a tree from an ordinary stick in five days. Only in this case did the girl’s father agree to give his daughter in marriage to him. For all five days, the warrior watered the stick stuck by the priest, and, fortunately, leaves appeared on it. As a result, dracaena grew, and the warrior and the priest’s daughter got married. Since then, many believe that if on a full moon at midnight you cut part of the trunk from a dracaena and plant it, then it will will bring happiness in love.
Other signs and beliefs are also associated with dracaenas:
It is believed that these beautiful decorative foliage plants help improve life, increase energy, help maintain optimism, warm and friendly relationships in the home.
According to Feng Shui, dracaenas They react sensitively to negative thoughts and begin to wither in an unfavorable psychological environment. Therefore, if you keep a plant in the conditions necessary for it and properly care for it, but it still fades, then you should think about the psychological situation in your home
Single people who want to start a family are recommended to purchase this indoor plant and grow it in their home.
Dracaenas have some beneficial properties– have a good effect on people prone to depression, help cleanse the body of toxins, neutralize benzene, formaldehyde and other chemicals.
A tropical plant has feminine energy and may not take root well in the house and refuse to grow with male gardeners who have a tough character. .
Dracaena - types
All types of plants are divided into two groups:
- Trees with strong trunks and comprehensive hard leaves.
- Shrubs with slender flexible stems and belt-shaped leaves.
Only six species of these beauties are the most popular for growing at home.
Dracaena bordered - photo
The most famous indoor variety of this exotic tree, which in nature grows up to 6 meters. Flower growers call the bordered type - Dracaena Marginata.
In indoor conditions, a slender tree is different:
- bare trunk, which gradually lengthens;
- narrow, pointed, hard leaves located at the tops of the shoots;
- contrasting border on leaves;
- leaves up to 70 cm long.
“Marginata” has several varieties that differ in foliage color:
- Variety Colorama combines several shades of white, pink and green.
- Bicolor- a variety with light foliage and a pink border. The main color is white and green.
- Tricolor It is distinguished by foliage in which the red tint predominates. There is also gold and white.
Under natural conditions, Dracaena Marginata blooms and produces fruits. In a potted plant, you don’t have to wait for inflorescences to form.
Dracaena derema - photo
A tall, slow-growing plant that at home can reach up to 3 meters. Is different:
- powerful trunk;
- densely decorated with foliage located along the trunk;
- variegated leaf blades up to one and a half meters long;
- leathery, smooth, linearly expanded leaves.
The following varieties are distinguished, differing in the color of the leaf plates:
- Shriveriana – variety with leaves along the edge of which runs a wide white-yellow border.
- Bausei distinguished by a wide white stripe in the middle.
- Warneckii has grey-green leaf blades and narrow white stripes along the edge.
- Janet Craig Compacta- This is a miniature type of tree. It has a straight dwarf trunk and elastic leaves.
Dracaena Derema is very unpretentious in maintenance and care. To destroy this type of plant, you need to try very hard.
Dracaena fragrant - photo
The plant is popular due to its wide leaves and the pleasant smell that the inflorescences emit when opening on an adult tree. Is different:
- the width of the leaf plate is 10 cm;
- thick, unstable trunk;
- impressive in size.
The following varieties are distinguished:
- Lindenii stands out with creamy white stripes along the edges of the leaves.
- Lemon Lime It has a thin trunk and grows quickly. Requires support.
- Compacta- a compact palm-shaped tree. The leaf blades are dark green in color.
- Victoriae It is distinguished by beautiful leaves of light yellow color, in the middle of which there is a green stripe.
- Massangeana is the most popular variety among fragrant dracaenas. The decorative foliage plant reaches one and a half meters in length. It has large arched leaves, which are located in a bunch at the top of the stem. The leaf blade is light green in color and has a yellow stripe in the middle. To give the dracaena an attractive appearance, several branches are formed on its trunk.
Unfortunately, you can only see the spectacular flowering of a plant in its homeland or in nurseries. From the center of its rosette grows a peduncle reaching about a meter in length. It reveals fluffy flowers that resemble pompoms in appearance.
Visual attractiveness and ease of care have made this type of plant very popular among gardeners.
Dracaena reflexum (Reflexa) - photo
The name of the flower was formed due to its leaf plates, curved in the shape of an arc. They gather in bunches and grow only at the ends of the shoots. "Reflex" is different:
- branches extending from the very base of the trunk;
- lanceolate leaves;
- green foliage with pronounced veins and a light border;
- interesting shape of the leaf plate, the length of which reaches 11-16 cm.
The main value of this species is its bright leaves with rich color.
Popular varieties:
- « Song of Jamaica" A tree with dark green leaf blades with a white edge.
- « Song of India"distinguished by green leaves with cream stripes.
Due to the weak stem and requirement for high air humidity in indoor culture, this type of dracaena is the least common.
Dracaena Sandera - photo
A popular plant often sold in flower shops is "good luck bamboo". It consists of spirally curved cuttings tied together. Many people think it is bamboo. In fact, the correct name of the plant is Dracaena Sandera or Sanderiana.
We discovered this beauty in the humid tropics of Africa. In the second century BC, it began to be widely grown in China. "Lucky Bamboo" is considered a talisman that brings prosperity to the home.
The appearance of Sandera is an erect stem on which there are leathery leaves 3 cm wide and up to 20 cm long. At home, “lucky bamboo” can grow up to one and a half meters. May have species with variegated leaves. In nature it blooms with white and pink flowers.
The plant is quite unpretentious. Able to grow in water or a special substrate in the form of helium balloons. Prefers good lighting and ventilated areas.
Dracaena Godsefa or Surculosa - photo
An ornamental foliage plant of a species uncharacteristic for dracaenas. It is a bush up to 60 cm high, on which pointed oval leaves are located. Each leaf blade is covered with cream specks and spots. Its color depends on the variety:
- Panctulata has a dark background on which a small dot pattern is located.
- Milky Way or "Milky Way" It is distinguished by a bright white stripe around which dots are located.
- Juanita also has a white, but more diffuse stripe.
- Florida Beauty– the most common “Godsefa”. It has yellow spots of varying sizes. As the tree ages, the spots lighten.
When young, the plant blooms with yellowish-green fragrant flowers. After them red berries appear.
Godsefa does not require special care or growing conditions, so it is quite easy to grow indoors.
From the entire range of these indoor decorative foliage plants, you can choose the most suitable one for the interior of your apartment, home or office. It can be a fairly large tree or a compact bush with green or variegated leaves. Among other things, indoor Dracaena flower is a powerful green “filter”. For example, dracaena fringe absorbs and neutralizes trichlorethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene through its leaves and roots.
This beauty has long become one of the most popular indoor plants. It can be found almost everywhere. Outwardly, it is similar to a palm tree, but the trunk is thinner and the leaves are directed upward. It owes its name to the colorful colors of some species. Translated, it means “female dragon.” It reaches a height of up to 300 cm. Over time, dying leaves leave characteristic marks on the trunk.
Dracaena needs good lighting. The plant likes fairly frequent spraying, as well as moderate watering.
This pet is suitable even for novice gardeners. Caring for it is simple and does not require special attention. If all the required conditions are met, it will please the owner for up to 15 years.
Growing and care
Location, lighting and temperature
When choosing a space, it is important to consider need for good lighting, without direct sunlight and drafts. It is preferable to place the container on an east or west window. On the windowsill on the north side there will not be enough ultraviolet radiation; the south direction threatens sunburn. Species with green leaves tolerate partial shade well and can be placed on a stand in the center of the room.
If the color is multi-colored, then a lot of light is needed. Otherwise, it will lose its decorative effect and growth will slow down.
This is a heat-loving native of hot countries. It can easily tolerate temperatures from 25 to 32 degrees (with sufficient humidity). But values below +12 can destroy the plant. Optimal requirements: from March to September 20-26, from autumn to spring 14-18 degrees. Certain species tolerate cool temperatures better than exposure to heating devices. If they begin to lose their lower leaves, then gardeners move them closer to a closed window.
Humidity and watering
Exotic doesn't like dry air. In the warm season, frequent spraying is recommended, provided that dust on the leaves is systematically removed. Drops mixing with it can lead to rotting. The consequences are the occurrence of fungal diseases. It is possible to humidify the air around the “female dragon” using a tray of water. It is installed in close proximity or the vessel itself is placed on it. It is important to avoid direct contact of the root system with liquid. In the summer, they organize a shower for a representative of the flora. Having previously covered the pot with film, the leaves are watered with warm water. Its remains are carefully shaken off the stems.
Competent “drinking” is determined by the following criteria: water quality, technique and frequency of watering, requirements for it at different times of the year. During the hot season, it is necessary to water the dracaena every 3-4 days. With the onset of cold weather, the frequency decreases: every 10-12 days. A good clue will be the state of the earthen coma. If it has dried out, then there is no need to wait for a certain date. Perhaps the humidity in the room is insufficient and the schedule will have to be shifted. The wet upper layer of the earth indicates that another “drink” is unnecessary.
The amount of moisture is determined as follows: it should completely saturate the lump of earth, but there should be no excess in the pan. Excess liquid leads to rotting of the roots.
Soil and fertilizers
Nutritious and light types of soil, with a weak or neutral reaction, are ideal. It is enough to purchase ready-made soil for palm trees or deciduous plants; it is better to choose a high-quality mixture. If store-bought products do not inspire confidence, they prepare them themselves. This requires the following components: humus, deciduous and turf soil, peat, coarse sand. All ingredients are taken in equal parts and mixed thoroughly. But if you don’t have a complete list at hand, don’t worry.
The substrate can be replaced with this mixture:
- humus;
- sand and turf soil, in equal quantities.
All soils prepared independently are subjected to heat treatment. This will help protect the beauty from possible bacteria, fungi and various pests. For ease, add natural leavening agents - charcoal or fine brick chips, in an amount of 0.25 parts.
Fertilizers. It is recommended to apply special complexes in finished form, which are sold in specialized stores. They are intended for indoor plants. Excess has a detrimental effect on development. The manufacturer's instructions must be strictly followed. In this case, it is better to add less rather than more. The period of active growth requires additional nutrition every week. With the onset of winter and the transition to a dormant state, fertilizing occurs once a month.
Choosing the right pot
A deep but not very wide pot is best
An adult specimen has a root system of impressive length. Therefore, it will create the most comfortable conditions high and not very wide capacity. The large dimensions of the vessel cause moisture stagnation and oxygen deficiency. A small flowerpot leads to curling of the roots and inability to absorb nutrients, slower growth, and yellowing of the foliage.
Plant pruning
When purchasing a pet at the market, trimming is almost never required. The crown has already been formed in greenhouse conditions. But, if you breed dracaena yourself, then you need to know certain molding rules. Unforeseen, emergency pruning requirements also occur (accidentally breaking off a stem).
It is permissible to trim only a healthy specimen, at least 30 cm in height. The procedure is carried out during the period of active growth and sap flow. When shortening the central stem, do not forget about the need to calculate the height of the future trunk. All manipulations are performed only with disinfected sharp garden tools.
Dracaena transplant
The roots do not tolerate cramped conditions and a change of “place of residence” is required every spring for young specimens and every 2 years for adult pets. When there is no need for a new pot, it is enough to change the top layer of soil once a year. If an emergency situation arises and the dracaena gets sick, then experienced flower growers advise not to be afraid and transfer the flower to another container, even in the fall. This also applies to new acquisitions.
After the store, the dracaena must be replanted. The flowerpot must be doused with boiling water before use. The first layer is drainage. Suitable height is from 5 to 10 cm, depending on the size of the container and the age of the “female dragon”. They remove it from the old container very carefully, slowly get rid of the old earthen lump under running warm water.
Pests and diseases
The plant boasts resistance to a large number of diseases and insects. But, if the conditions of detention are violated and the level of health decreases, various troubles can attack him.
Change your appearance
Dracaena sunburn
The color of the stems becomes pale, white spots appear on them - these are symptoms of sunburn. It is difficult to avoid if you spray your pet during the peak of the Star’s activity. In this case, the drops play the role of lenses. Too slow growth or its complete cessation is a signal for the need to change the soil, due to its incorrect selection.
Signs: the appearance of dark spots on the leaves, softening of the plate. A special chemical agent, an insecticide, will help correct the situation. Spray 2-3 times, it all depends on the success of the fight against the disease.
Do red spots appear that gradually change color to brown-brown? Time to sound the alarm. The best means to restore your pet’s health is Actellik.
and mealy worm
Uninvited guests and their waste products appear as white coating, cobwebs and yellow veins. If they are in small quantities, then get rid of them mechanically - remove them with a napkin soaked in a soap solution.
Flower propagation
Cuttings from the top. The tops with leaves are cut off and all leaves are removed. It is best if the cutting site is located perpendicular to the trunk and is located after the lower foliage at a distance of 10-15 cm. Before planting, the cutting is dried for about 2 hours on a sheet of paper. For rooting, use one of 4 possible options:
- water, with the addition of a phytostimulant and crushed charcoal;
- steamed soil for decorative palm trees;
- peat, sand and crushed coal in equal proportions;
- perlite can be replaced with vermiculite.
For successful growth of the root system, greenhouse conditions are created.
Cuttings from the stem
The green mass after pruning is not thrown away, but is used for breeding flower pets. This method is suitable for a sickly plant with a healthy root system. A suitable fragment is cut into pieces of 9-10 cm. The cut passes strictly along the place where the leaf was previously attached. The same substrate is suitable for rooting as for the previous method. But the divisions can be placed not only directly, but also horizontally.
After 6 weeks, cuttings appear, and sprouts can be observed after 2-3 weeks.
How to choose a healthy plant in the store
The main selection criterion is the condition of the foliage. If they are rich in color, dense, without dry or yellowed tips, then the dracaena is healthy. It is important to decide on the type before purchasing. Varieties with wide leaves are more unpretentious. After transportation, a transfer is required.
Types and varieties
The most decorative and popular representatives:
- marginata;
- fragrant;
- Sandera;
- Derema;
- bent.
Often found in the homes of amateur gardeners.
This is an evergreen tree with an erect trunk and thin spreading leaves of different widths and colors.
More than 60 varieties of dracaena are known, which differ in the height and width of the trunk, the size and color of the leaves.
The homeland of the plant is considered to be the subtropics of Asia, Africa and Europe. And the name itself was given to the flower by the Greeks, “dracaena” means “female dragon”; it was so named for the rich red hue of the juice that stands out from the cuts on the branches or trunk. It reminded the Greeks of dragon blood.
A distinctive feature of dracaenas is their rhizomes with an orange tint.
Dracaena is able to accumulate energy and create a positive atmosphere in the apartment, which is why it is often called a talisman plant.
Appearance
Trunk. Most representatives of the Dracaena species have a tree-like shape, the trunk is up to 2 meters in diameter and up to 3 meters high; in some species the trunk is similar to.
Leaves In all representatives, dracaenas are dense but can be distinguished by shape, color and size. Dracaena blooms with small white or greenish flowers collected in panicle inflorescences.
Signs
There are quite a lot of signs and superstitions associated with dracaenas.:
- It is believed that dracaenas increase energy in the house and help create a positive psychological climate in the house;
- according to Feng Shui, dracaenas are very sensitive to negative thoughts and begin to fade in an unfavorable environment;
- Dracaenas are recommended to be grown by single people who want to start a family.
Types of dracaenas
Dracaena Derema
Under natural conditions it grows up to 4-5 meters, has narrow lanceolate leaves of a dark green color, the leaves reach 1.5 meters in length.
Varieties of fragrant dracaena:
- Lindenii distinguished by wide leaves with cream stripes along the edges.
- Lemon Lime an elegant, fast-growing tree with a thin trunk.
- Compacta They look like palm trees with dark green foliage.
- Victoriae the leaves are light yellow with a green stripe in the middle.
- Massangeana It has leaves up to half a meter long, arched, and they are collected at the top of the stem in a kind of bunch. The leaves are pale green with a yellow stripe in the center.
Dracaena marginata or Marginata
Dracaena marginata can most often be found in residential buildings and offices. It grows up to 3 meters in height, has pointed dark green leaves that grow up to 70 centimeters in length.
When growing dracaena marginata at home, it forms a slender tree with a branch-free and elongating trunk, the tops of the shoots are crowned with hard, pointed leaves.
Dracaena canadensis or dragon tree
They are found naturally in the Canary Islands and western Africa. They grow up to 10 meters in height. At home, they can be up to one and a half meters high. The bluish-colored leaves with thorns at the end can reach 60 centimeters in length.
Dracaena Shirmonifera
A short-trunked tree with arched, elongated leaves up to 4 centimeters wide and up to 100 centimeters long.
Dracaena Sandera
The low-growing plant has a thin trunk and dark green foliage, with elongated and pointed leaves up to 20 centimeters long and 3 centimeters wide with silver stripes. There are species with variegated leaves.
Dracaena Sandera is quite unpretentious, it can grow well in plain water or aquatic soil, the main thing for it is good lighting and fresh air.
Dracaena shoot-forming
The evergreen plant grows up to 3 meters, has a large number of branches, up to a centimeter thick. The leaves are green with yellow spots from 8 to 16 centimeters in length.
Dracaena reflexum
The tree is tall, up to 5 meters in nature, and may have several thin trunks.
The leaves are green, up to 15 centimeters long, elongated, lanceolate in shape.
Home care for dracaena
The easiest types of dracaenas to care for at home are::
- dragon tree,
- edged dracaena and
- Dracaena dereme.
It does not require a specific watering schedule and thrives on the shady side.
If we talk about the rules for caring for dracaenas in general, we can highlight the following features.
Illumination and temperature
Dracaenas prefer a warm place indoors and without drafts. The room temperature must be maintained at least + 16 degrees.
Dracaenas with dark leaves thrive in diffused light, while dracaenas with light leaves grow well in bright areas.
At the same time, any variety of dracaena must be protected from direct sunlight. It is optimal to place the dracaena in a well-lit room away from the window.
Watering
The watering regime largely depends on the type of dracaena. So Marginata and Derham dracaena do not tolerate high soil moisture, otherwise they may drop their leaves. But Dracaena Sandera, on the contrary, needs constant soil moisture.
Plants also need to be sprayed periodically, and after watering, all drained water must be drained after half an hour to prevent rotting of the roots.
Transplanting dracaena at home
It is necessary to replant dracaena up to the 5th age annually!
You should choose pots that are 3-4 centimeters larger. At 5 years old, dracaenas practically stop growing, so replanting is needed only when the roots completely fill the planting container.
Optimal soil composition:
- peat,
- turf,
- leaf soil,
- humus and
- sand.
Everything goes in equal proportions.
Caring for dracaena after transplantation comes down to only spraying and timely watering. You don't even have to feed it for a couple of months.
Top dressing
After the onset of the active growth phase, fertilizing should be done regularly 2 times a month with universal fertilizers for houseplants, without fluorine.
Dracaena propagation
Dracaenas can be propagated at home by cutting stems, cuttings and seeds.
Propagation by stem cutting
It is necessary to cut off a part of the stem 5 centimeters long, dry it and plant it in a pot with soil. The plant must be replanted as soon as roots and side shoots appear.
Propagation by cuttings
It is better to cut the cuttings from the top of the stem, place it in the soil and cover it with a jar on top, spray it periodically, the roots will appear in a month.
Propagation by seeds
Suitable for plants with green foliage, but this is a rather lengthy and labor-intensive process.
- Seeds must be soaked in water for 24 hours before sowing to activate growth.
- Then they are sown to a depth of 1 centimeter in special containers with a mixture for seedlings.
- Next, you need to create a greenhouse effect in the seedling container using cans or plastic film.
- Sprouts begin to appear after 2 weeks.
- Next, you should maintain soil moisture and create sufficient light so that the sprouts do not stretch upward.
Having studied all the features of care and become acquainted with the variety of evergreen plants of the Dracaena family, you can easily choose a specimen for growing and decorating your home or office.
If you want to create a green oasis in your apartment, keep in mind that dracaenas combine perfectly in compositions with, and.
An exotic plant that belongs to the Asparagus family and can grow as a shrub or tall palm tree. The homeland of this flower is the African continent, South Asia and America. Dracaena, which requires some rules to be cared for at home, prefers a humid climate.
Dracaena is also called the “false palm” for its resemblance to palm trees; some species are shrubs. Dracaenas live for many years and grow throughout their entire life cycle. In indoor conditions, these plants almost never bloom. If you follow all the features of caring for dracaena, it will not bring much trouble.
How to care for dracaena at home
You may encounter certain difficulties when growing indoor species of this plant, so you need to know how to care for dracaena correctly.
Watering
Dracaena loves moisture; it needs abundant and frequent watering. In the warm season, the flower must be watered at least three times a week.
This is a period of active growth, so drying out the earthen ball will have a detrimental effect on the root system of the plant. Water for irrigation must be settled for 2-3 days or boiled.
Watering dracaena photo
From October, watering is reduced in winter; until March, dracaena is watered only once a week. Overmoistening the soil can cause root rot and plant death. Species like these like leaves to be moistened; they need to be sprayed periodically, especially in the summer.
Temperature
Despite the fact that dracaena is a southern plant, it does not like high indoor temperatures, this is detrimental to it. The plant feels good at temperatures not lower than 5 0 C and not higher than 25 0 C. 
In winter, for comfortable maintenance, the optimal temperature is + 15 0 C, and in summer and spring +20 0 C. Dracaena tolerates air temperatures in the range of +10-12 0 C better than heat. Dracaena does not tolerate drafts; in summer it can be taken outside or into a loggia, but it must be placed in protected places.
Lighting
The best option for keeping dracaena is window sills of the eastern and western parts of the apartment.
Attention! Direct sunlight is harmful to the plant; the leaves can get burned. Dracaena needs to be provided with diffused lighting.
Flower varieties with variegated leaves require brighter lighting; if there is insufficient light, they may lose their decorative color and become simply green. In winter, these dracaenas need additional lighting; for this, you can use fluorescent lamps.
Air humidity
Dry indoor air has a bad effect on the appearance of dracaena; the leaves begin to dry at the tips, wither and fall off. Flower pots must be placed no closer than 1.5 m from heating radiators.
Leaves should be sprayed every day in the hot season and as needed in winter. The air can be humidified by spraying water. For these purposes, it is recommended to place the pot with dracaena in a tray with pebbles, which is watered. You can place containers of water in close proximity to the flower.
To spray the leaves, use settled, softened water. If there is an aquarium in the house, the flower can be placed next to it.
Important! For maximum hydration, dracaena should be bathed in the shower; the same procedure will remove dust from the leaves.
Top dressing
Dracaena, like any indoor plant, needs feeding, which begins in the spring. This is a period of active growth and development of the plant. Fertilize the soil regularly, at least three times a month; in the winter months (dormant period), the amount of fertilizing is reduced to once a month.
For fertilizer, ready-made preparations for deciduous evergreen indoor flowers are used. Varieties of dracaena with variegated foliage must be fed with special products for ornamental plants.
In addition to fertilizing the soil, leaf fertilizers are used. They are added to the water for spraying. The foliage becomes bright, rich in color with a shiny surface. The plant is fed in this way immediately after transplantation.
How to prune dracaena correctly
Caring for dracaena includes its pruning. At home, this is done in order to give an elongated plant an aesthetic appearance or to propagate it. There are two methods for pruning:
A transverse cut is made on the trunk below the top, wrapped with moss and polyethylene, and when air layering appears at the cut site, the top is cut off and rooted.
The cut area must be treated with crushed coal. After a month, side shoots will appear on the trunk, which will give the flower a new shape.
This method involves pruning the apical part of the dracaena in order to reduce growth and change the shape of the plant. The cuttings are also treated to protect them from bacteria, and the cut tops are rooted in other pots. In a month, with regular watering, the plant will produce new shoots. Many sections are treated with molten paraffin.
Dracaena propagation
With good care of dracaena, the plant's growth can reach 2-3 m. In an apartment, it is more convenient to have a smaller flower. To do this, the plant is pruned and propagated. This flower reproduces in several ways:
- seed;
- apical cuttings;
- dividing cuttings;
- air layering.
The most suitable time for reproduction is spring. Propagation by seeds is considered the most difficult and time-consuming method, but with such propagation there is a chance to see indoor dracaena bloom.
Propagation of dracaena by seeds
Dracaena species that have leaves with colored stripes are propagated by cuttings; evergreen varieties can also be propagated by seeds. It is best to take seeds from an indoor dracaena that has bloomed at home.
The seeds must be kept in a solution to stimulate growth; to do this, they are left soaked in a warm place. The soil is prepared in advance, disposable glasses are filled with it and the seeds are deepened. The planted seeds need to be watered, the container covered with film and placed in a warm place.
After 1.5-2 months, when shoots appear, the film can be removed. Young seedlings need to be watered regularly and the soil fertilized every month. When the plant grows to 6 cm in height, it can be transplanted into a permanent pot.
Propagation by stem pieces
This method is similar to propagation by apical shoots. The difference is that the long stem is divided into several fragments 10-15 cm long with a sharp knife.
Attention! The knife must be sharpened so as not to damage the cut of the plant, which can cause rotting of the cuttings.
On one side, a fragment of the stem must be cut under the bud and stuck into the ground with this side. To create a mini-greenhouse, the cutting can be covered with a jar and placed in a warm place. The greenhouse should not be exposed to direct sunlight, and the soil should not dry out. When new shoots appear, the jars can be removed, and the young leaves should be sprayed with settled water.
How to replant dracaena
The root system of dracaena grows quite quickly. In order for the plant to feel good at home, it needs to be periodically replanted in a large container. To understand that a flower needs replanting, you need to measure its growth. A dracaena with a height of 40 cm needs a pot of at least 15 cm in diameter.
The roots of dracaena are fragile, so care must be taken when replanting. It is better to take a tall pot and use soil specifically for palm plants. The bottom of the pot is filled with 2 cm of drainage or pebbles.
Dracaena transplant If the soil is good, then the earth ball is not cleaned; it is simply transferred to a new pot and soil is added, gradually filling the entire pot. Dracaena needs to be watered abundantly, adding a little growth stimulant for better rooting.
Pests and diseases of dracaena
Dracaena at home rarely suffers from pests, but sometimes such a problem can arise.
Dracaena pests
- mealybug;
- scale insect;
- thrips;
- spider mite
Many of them affect not only the leaves, but also the roots of the plant. As a result, the leaves of the dracaena fall off; if you do not treat the plant and get rid of the pests, the flower will die.
To combat them, you need to wipe the leaves with a soapy solution, and for spider mites, the solution should be hot. Then spray the plant with a special preparation - an insecticide. After two weeks, the treatment must be repeated.
Why do dracaena leaves turn yellow?
Once every two years, dracaena sheds its leaves, so if only the lower leaves turn yellow, this is normal.
If young foliage turns yellow, this indicates improper watering. As a rule, in this case there is not enough moisture. It is necessary to ensure that the earthen ball does not dry out more than 2-3 cm from the surface.
If the tips of the leaves dry out
The main reason for the drying out of the tips of dracaena leaves is a lack of moisture. If the leaves at the tips begin to darken and dry out, the plant must be sprayed periodically, especially in the hot season.
It came to us from the humid tropics... It is called a shrub, but can grow up to 20 meters in height... All these words are about dracaena. The varieties of the dracaena plant are characterized by great diversity, while about 3-4 species are grown at home. This is not some kind of bonsai, but a bright representative of the flora. When a representative of the Dracaena species is cared for at home, as in the photo, according to all the rules, it pleases its owner with an abundant, lush crown. Today we will talk about proper care.
Dracaena flower: how to care for it at home?
The most popular types are:
- Fragrant dracaena flower. Even in an ordinary room it will grow without problems.
- Dracaena Marginata with a red border on the leaves and a fairly long stem.
- Dracaena State Defense. Characterized by oval variegated leaves.
If the space of the room allows, other types are possible. It is enough to correctly plant the dracaena in a pot and place it in a room with a high ceiling. The same species of Marginata easily reaches a height of three meters.
The Sander species will bloom beautifully to the delight of its owners. Sometimes it is planted in one container of 2-3 copies. This allows you to create very unusual weaves from trunks in an exotic style.
Dracaena Sandera However, only healthy plants can delight with beauty. If you do not have information on how to plant a flower correctly, its leaves will begin to deform and dry out, and insects and pests will appear. It is unlikely that such a specimen will be able to please you with its beauty. She can accept some of the content factors, but some are completely unacceptable.
So, when growing a plant, it is necessary to comply with the following requirements: optimal temperature, comfortable lighting, regular watering schedules and timely fertilizing for dracaena, absence of drafts. Let's look at each of these factors in more detail.
The easiest way is to create the optimal temperature regime for evergreen plants. In summer, the required temperature of +20 – 22 degrees is created naturally. After all, if you have an air conditioner in your home or office, creating the desired mode will not be difficult. When dracaena blooms in the summer, it is even taken out onto the balcony or the open contour of the loggia.
In general, dracaena tree retains its viability at temperatures ranging from 5 to 27 degrees. In winter, this figure should be 15-17 degrees.
Planting dracaena
How to plant dracaena if it does not like direct sunlight and at the same time is a heat-loving plant? Never place it on a south window. By building a separate stand at a distance of 120-150 cm from the window, on a hot sunny day you can protect the leaves from burns. It's not difficult to spot them. They appear as dark dots covering the outer and inner surfaces.
You may not be able to see how dracaena blooms if you do not create the necessary microclimate of the humid tropics for the plant. This is one of the most important tasks of a gardener. There are three main methods of so-called “moisture recharging”: traditional watering, placing special evaporators next to the plant, and timely spraying of the leaves.
The higher the air temperature, the more care the plant needs to be given. To increase the humidity in the living room, you can put a wet cloth on the radiator, place an aquarium, install a tray with sphagnum moss and pebbles. These measures will ensure gradual and continuous evaporation of moisture.
Some species simply cannot develop normally without spraying with water. In order for the “water procedures” to be as useful and effective as possible, the water must sit.
Abundant watering is started when the top layer of soil becomes dry in the hot season. Using a special carbon filter, pass irrigation water through it. Not everyone has this opportunity. An alternative to a carbon filter is charcoal, which is simply thrown into the water during the settling process.
Fertilizer for dracaenas can be used universal. The main thing is that it does not contain fluorides. In summer, dracaena needs weekly feeding; in winter, the procedure can be reduced to once a month. 
Despite the fact that dracaena blooms profusely with constant access to fresh air, strong drafts can be detrimental to the plant. That is why ventilation should be regular, but without excess.
Sometimes in poor lighting the plant begins to resemble a bonsai. It stretches out greatly or, conversely, grows poorly. Sometimes the trunk becomes bare, and characteristic scars appear from leaves that have fallen previously. Regular change of leaves is a natural process for this plant. However, you can do the following. Cut off the crown of the dracaena along with a 12-15 cm long trunk, and place the plant itself in a dark place. Do not water it until new leaves begin to appear. The flower will be significantly renewed, new branches will appear. By the way, in the Dracaena species, transplantation can be carried out using a cut off part. The sections that remain open must be sprinkled with garden pitch or crushed coal.
Transplanting adult plants into a new flowerpot is considered one of the most important stages of maintenance. The rules for selecting the most suitable container must be followed. So, if the plant has a length of 35-40 cm, it is necessary to replant the dracaena into a pot with a diameter of about 15 cm.
Young plants are replanted every year, mainly in spring. Transplantation involves purchasing soil, as for a palm tree. A drainage layer is mandatory. It is necessary to water the plant after replanting; the use of growth-stimulating fertilizers is quite justified.
Everything you need to know about dracaena flowering
Some gardeners do not even know what this plant may look like during flowering. First of all, this is due to improper conditions of detention. The fragrant dracaena smells the most pleasant. The flower stem develops for quite a long time - sometimes you have to wait 10-12 years. The final result will definitely please you.
The most convenient ways to propagate dracaena
Want to get even more plants? No problem - you can use the following methods:
- Cuttings from the apical shoots.
- Propagate the plant by parts of the trunk.
- By layering.
Spring is considered the most productive time of year for breeding dracaenas. At this time, everything around wakes up, plant growth also intensifies. The easiest and fastest way is cuttings. Take the top part of the trunk (you can even have leaves) and cut it off with a very sharp knife. The approximate length of the cutting is 10 centimeters.
Please note that cutting the plant correctly plays an important role.
Torn edges and torn pieces of bark are the first step to the rapid death of the plant. A third of the leaves are removed, this significantly speeds up rooting. This can also be done in different ways:
- In water. A necessary condition is absolutely clean water heated to room temperature. It should be changed more often, periodically adding activated carbon.
- In hard materials. For example, sand, hydrogel and perlite. The substrate and air used must have a temperature of +20 degrees. Spray the cuttings regularly and ventilate in the morning and evening for 15-20 minutes.
- In inert substrates. We are talking about propagating dracaena by stem cuttings. After the living stem has been divided into cuttings 5-15 centimeters long, it is also cut along the leaf scars. Stem cuttings can be rooted horizontally and vertically.
The key to successful rooting will be the optimal temperature (not lower than +20) and keeping the cuttings in a greenhouse.
Conclusion
- Regularly remove dust from leaves.
- Take the plant out into the fresh air.
- Loosen the top layer of soil. This has a positive effect on growth.
- Provide additional lighting in winter.
- Spray on hot days.