About
Dracaena marginata is an upright evergreen shrub that can reach heights of up to 4 meters. It features elongated, sword-like leaves that are dark green with a subtle recurved shape, complemented by delicate reddish-brown margins.
About the genus
Dracaena are perennial trees characterized by their few branches, which support long, narrow to lanceolate leaves that are typically clustered at the ends. In mature specimens, small greenish-white flowers can emerge, potentially giving way to orange or red berries.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Houseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants
- Native to
- Madagascar
- Toxicity
- Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- In frost-prone areas grow under glass in a well-drained, peat-free, loam-based compost. Provide full light with some protection from hot, direct sunlight. See Dracaena and houseplant cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Requires little regular pruning, although weak stems may be shortened to 15cm (6in) in spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed at 18-21C or (64- 70F) or from semi-ripe and hardwood cuttings with bottom heat in summer
- Pest resistance
- Susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips and scale insects when grown under glass
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free