Young Canary Island dragon tree in the wild

Credit: brewbooks

Close-up of Dracaena draco leaves

Credit: Tony Rodd

Dracaena draco branches and crown against a bird's-eye view

Credit: DEZALB

Potted Canary-apple plant

Credit: WissensDürster

Dracanea adult flowering garden

Credit: 0000ff

Dracæna draco: dragon's blood tree

Long considered an endemic species to the Canary Islands, Dracæna draco also grows in Cape Verde and Morocco. This member of the Asparagaceae family can live for several hundred years. Despite this longevity, it is now a vulnerable and protected species.

How to recognize Dracæna draco?

The Dracæna draco owes its name to its sap, red as dragon's blood, which flows from its wounds when injured.

In the wild, Dracæna draco reaches a height of 20 meters and a spread of nine meters. Grown as a houseplant, it grows to no more than two meters tall, with a spread of no more than 150 centimetres.

The tree has no trunk, but a thick, rigid stem of bundles called stipe. Its long, tapering leaves are arranged in a rosette. Their veins are parallel and their color varies from dark green to bluish green.

As an adult, Dracaena draco can be recognized by its parasol-like appearance. Above the trunk, secondary branches intertwine to support the crown. But it takes a long time to grow. It produces new branches only once every ten years, and doesn't flower until it's fifteen.

White or greenish, highly fragrant flowers then appear. After flowering, they give way to red or orange berries.

The sap of the Canary Island Dragonwood is said to have medicinal virtues. Like Dragonwood reflexa var. Angustifolia, the shrub is also said to have depolluting properties.

Our maintenance tips

Plenty of sun, but without burning the leaves, regular watering, but without drowning the roots... Even if the plant is suitable for beginners, caring for your Dragon tree draco requires rigor and moderation.

Watering

Draco dragon tree needs a regular supply of water. But, like many plants, the plant cannot tolerate excess. Check that the potting soil has dried on the surface (two to three centimetres) before watering. If this is the case, use non-calcareous water at room temperature. You only need to moisten the root ball, not the soil.

Don't forget to drain off any stagnant water in the saucer or planter. It could rot the roots.

Spray

Your Dracaena draco appreciates moisture on its foliage. Spray it regularly with non-calcareous water to improve humidity.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Dracaena draco to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

In a large, perforated pot, place a bed of clay balls, gravel or small pebbles about 20% of the way up. This layer promotes drainage and prevents root rot.

Fill your pot with a draining substrate, such as potting soil for green plants. Plant your Dragon tree draco in the center and cover.

To improve humidity, place your plant in a saucer filled with moist clay balls.

Cleaning

The dust that accumulates on the leaves interferes with photosynthesis and slows down your plant's development. To allow it to take advantage of the light, clean the top and bottom of the foliage with a clean, damp cloth.

Don't use any polish, as it will damage the limbs.

Prune

Remove dried leaves and flowers.

Plantation

Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.

Draco dragon trees tolerate mild winters. If you live in the south of France or by the sea, you can plant them in the ground.

Choose a bright location, but without direct sunlight. Make sure the soil is well drained. If the soil in your garden is heavy or retains moisture, plant them at the top of a mound or on a slope.

After loosening the soil, dig a hole three times the size of your Dragon tree dracopot. Place a layer of clay balls or gravel and transplant. Fill in with a mixture of ordinary soil and sand, or even potting soil for citrus and Mediterranean plants.

Protect the base with a mineral mulch (pebbles, gravel, pebbles, slate, etc.) before watering abundantly.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

To take cuttings from your Dragon tree draco, use a clean, sharp tool such as pruning shears to remove a branch about fifteen centimetres long.

Remove the leaves from the base, leaving only a few at the top. You can dip the other end in cuttings hormone.

Plant your graft in a pierced pot containing a mixture of rich potting soil (horticultural potting soil, potting soil for seedlings, special potting soil for cuttings, etc.) and sand. Place them in a bright spot, but away from direct sunlight.

Diseases / Threats

Red spiders

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Asparagaceae - Asparagaceae
Type	Dracaena - Dracaena
Species	Dracaena draco - Dracaena draco
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrats	Calcareous earth Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs Planter
Categories	Tree Shrub Interior
Tags	Beginner Increvable
Origin	Southern Europe
Hardiness (USDA)	10a
Leaf color
Flower colors
Fruit colors