Dracaena Surculosa - Ø14cm - ↕40cm

Watering Dracaena
The Dracaena needs little water. Only water when the soil feels dry, which happens more quickly in summer than in winter. In winter, the Dracaena can go 4-6 weeks without water, while in summer once every 2-3 weeks is sufficient. If the plant is in a large pot with a lot of substrate and in a dark place, it can go even longer without water.

The amount of water depends on the temperature, the size of the plant and the light intensity. Make sure that there is no layer of water left at the bottom of the pot; the soil must be able to absorb all the moisture. If the soil is still moist after a few days, give less water at a time. When in doubt, it is better to give less water.

Too much water can cause root rot, which you can initially see as brown spots with yellow edges on the leaves. Remove these leaves and water the plant significantly less. If the stem at the bottom becomes soft, it is more difficult to save the plant.

Spraying
Spraying is not necessary, but increases the vitality and ornamental value of the Dracaena. It washes away incipient pests and removes dust from the leaves.

Light and warmth
Dracaenas thrive in lower light and make excellent shaded houseplants. They need a maximum of 3 hours of direct sunlight per day. Place them in front of a north-facing window, or 2-3 metres away from an east- or west-facing window. For a south-facing window, a distance of 3-4 metres is recommended.

If the Dracaena is going to be placed near a window, start in the winter and gradually move the plant closer, so that it can tolerate direct sunlight in the summer. If you did not buy the plant in the winter, you can also gradually move it closer to the window.

Variegated varieties, such as the Dracaena Song of India, on the other hand, do like a sunny location, unlike their relatives.

Is the Dracaena turning lighter or yellow? Then it is getting too much light. Is the plant not growing or barely growing? Then it is not getting enough light.

Minimum temperature

• Daytime: 16 ℃
• Night: 12 ℃

Do not feed houseplants in the fall or winter. They only need nutrients during the growing season, which begins in March. Begin feeding as soon as the nutrients in the potting soil are depleted, which usually happens after about 6 to 8 weeks for most potting soil brands. Check the packaging of the houseplant food for the correct dosage and never use more than indicated, as too much food can be harmful to the plant. Too little food, however, can stunt growth.

Discoloured leaves can have different causes: brown spots with a yellow edge indicate too much water, while yellow or lighter leaves are the result of too much direct sunlight. Brown edges can easily be cut off. If the Dracaena has curled leaves, this is a sign of dehydration; the plant is too dry or has been without water for a long time in the past. With certain species, such as the Dracaena Riki, this often remains visible for a long time and the leaf can sometimes no longer recover.

Prune the Dracaena in the winter so that the plant can grow again in the spring. This ensures that the plant remains nice and compact and more light reaches the core of the plant. The new, young shoots give the plant a fresh look. Pruning can be done easily with pruning shears without further aftercare.

Propagation is easy by cuttings. Place a top cutting of about 10 cm with about six leaves in a glass of water. The best result is achieved in the spring at a temperature of at least 22 degrees. Covering the cutting with a plastic bag can increase the humidity and temperature. As soon as there are enough roots, the cutting can be potted in airy soil.

Repot the Dracaena in the spring or immediately after purchase. Spring is the best time, because any damaged roots will recover more quickly. The Dracaena rarely suffers from broken roots, because the plant needs little water. Repeat this process every two years or when the current pot becomes too small.

Place the plant in a pot that is at least 20% wider and use normal potting soil. Avoid hydro grains on the bottom, because the stagnant water between the grains can rot and is difficult for the roots to reach. Use a liner for tall pots to prevent stagnant water.

A larger pot stimulates growth, improves the health of the plant and provides a larger water buffer, because the soil can absorb more moisture. In addition, the plant has access to sufficient nutrients.