Description
Dracaena reflexa is a tree-like dracaena that grows wild in Madagascar, Mauritius and nearby islands of the Indian Ocean. Indoors it is grown as a pot plant. Its ornament is its long, arching, lance-shaped leaves, green with beautiful cream edges. It is easy to grow and reaches about 1 m in height. With age the lower leaves dry up and the lower part of the stem becomes bare – then it is worth rejuvenating the plant, for example by taking cuttings, as it becomes less attractive.
Requirements
Place the dracaena in a bright spot, but not in sun. It needs plenty of warmth – in winter the temperature must not fall below 15°C.
Propagation
Dracaenas are propagated in spring from tip cuttings 10–15 cm long taken from soft side shoots. They can also be propagated by cutting the main stem into sections 5–8 cm long – each section should have well-developed buds; lay them horizontally in the compost, buds facing up.
Care
During growth, from March to August, water generously; during the rest period, in autumn and winter, water more sparingly so that the soil does not dry out too much. Dracaena does not tolerate excess water standing in the saucer – it can even rot the roots. On the other hand, do not let the root ball dry out too much. The plants can be misted.
From March to August feed every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Before the rest period, gradually reduce feeding until you stop completely.
Repot young plants every year, ideally in spring (May), and older ones every 2–3 years. The new pot should be no more than one size larger than the previous one.