How to Grow Dracaena Reflexa
- Propagation. D. reflexa can be propagated by stem cuttings. First, choose a healthy stem that is at least 18 inches long.
- Soil. Dracaena reflexa, or song of India, is a beautiful houseplant with long, green leaves. It’s a popular choice for...
- Pruning. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant that will add a splash of color to your home,...
How to grow Dracaena reflexa indoors?
Filtered indoor light or a semi-shaded spot is ideal for growing your Dracaena Reflexa plant. Talking about the water requirement, your plant requires very little water compared to other indoor plants; therefore, add water only when the soil dries out. I
How do you prune Dracaena reflexa?
Dracaena Reflexa can grow very big, but when necessary, they’re simple to cut off. Use a sharp, clean knife or cutters to prune your plant for better results when it is actively grown in spring or summer. It’s a good idea to dip the knife blade into the water and little bleach earlier so that no plant diseases are transferred.
When should I fertilize my Dracaena reflexa?
Fertilize your plant in spring and summer when it is actively growing. Dracaena Reflexa is a popular species of Dracaena, commonly known as the Song of India or Pleomele. The genus name is drawn from the Greek word ‘drakaina,’ which means a female dragon.
What is eating my Dracaena reflexa leaves?
Mealybugs, scale and spider mites are the most common pests that will bother your Dracaena reflexa. As such, it is important to keep the plant healthy to make it as strong as possible to resist these critters.
How do you grow a Dracena reflexa?
Dracaena Reflexa Care TipsOrigin: Madagascar and other islands in the Indian Ocean.Height: To 3 ft (90 cm)Light: Bright indirect sunlight. ... Water: Keep soil lightly moist spring through fall, slightly drier in winter. ... Humidity: Average room (around 40% relative humidity).More items...
Can Dracaena Reflexa grow from cuttings?
Dracaena propagation is very simple to do. They are very easy to propagate from cuttings, and one mature plant can be used to make lots of baby plants for you and your friends to enjoy.
Is Dracaena Reflexa an indoor plant?
The dracaena plant is a popular ornamental houseplant, grown both indoors and outdoors in subtropical climates. It reaches a height of about three feet indoors, and has a bushy tree type of look. Its glossy leaves can grow up to one foot long and a couple of inches wide.
How fast does Dracaena Reflexa grow?
However, grown as houseplants, they rarely grow more than 5 feet. In addition, the Dracaena Reflexa growth rate is exceptionally slow, only three to four inches in one year, so you can cultivate it for decades before its dimension becomes problematic for an average living space.
Can you root a Dracaena in water?
Another option is to root your dracaena cuttings in water. You simply plop the cutting into a container – without drainage holes, this time – and wait a few weeks for roots to grow. I think it's best to wait until the roots on your cutting are about an inch long before repotting in another container.
Does Dracaena Reflexa grow in water?
Water. Dracaena Reflexa requires less water than most indoor plants do.
How often should you water Dracena Reflexa?
Your Dracaena prefers bright indirect light but can adapt to low light. Too much direct sunlight can burn and bleach the leaves. Water when the top 50%-75% of the soil is dry. Water until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and discard any water that has accumulated in the saucer.
How often should I water my dracaena?
every 10-14 daysDracaena trees prefer the soil to dry between waterings, but not completely through the pot. Typically, watering every 10-14 days will keep the soil with a nice even level of moisture.
What do you feed dracaena?
Dracaenas will thrive with a water-soluble commercial houseplant fertilizer. You can buy these products at a local home-and-garden shop or online. Look for mixes with a 3:1:2 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. You will see these nutrients listed as N, P, and K on the packaging.
What kind of soil does dracaena need?
How to Plant Dracaena Plants. When selecting a potting mix, keep in mind that dracaenas love soil that drains well and is rich in organic matter. We recommend using Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix, which is formulated to be less prone to gnats and contains no compost or bark that they can use as shelter.
How do you make dracaena grow tall?
The best way to encourage your Dracaena to get taller quickly is to provide it with optimal care. To grow, Dracaenas need plenty of indirect sunlight, proper nutrients, and humidity. These plants are known to be slow-growing, so even with ideal conditions, it will take years to see significant growth.
Why is my dracaena not growing?
Like all living things, Dracaenas need energy to grow, and since sunlight is a critical factor in photosynthesis, a lack of sun is the most likely explanation for slow growth. Dracaenas can tolerate medium to low-light conditions, but they will grow much more quickly if they're given plenty of bright, indirect light.
How do I take a cutting from a dracaena?
Cut just below the bunch of leaves at the top of the plant and be sure you get at least one node. Place the cut end in water and put it in a warm spot. The roots should start to grow quickly, as long as you keep it warm. Plant your cutting in soil when the roots have gotten between one and two inches (2.5 to 5 cm.)
Can Song of India root in water?
Song of India requires less water in the winter. Never overwater this plant, as it's especially susceptible to root rot. One issue to be aware of is the genus' sensitivity to fluoride: A good practice is to use bottled or purified water for your plants.
When can I propagate Dracaena?
0:002:19How to propagate DRACAENA MARGINATA from cuttings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe optimal time for propagation of the plant is spring. The cut must be transverse. And even toMoreThe optimal time for propagation of the plant is spring. The cut must be transverse. And even to reduce the evaporation surface the Leafs are partially removed and some of the Leafs are shortened.
How do you make a dracaena branch?
0:583:06How to Branch a Dracaena - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe top portion of each stem or cane. Two or more branches or leaf clusters will grow out of theMoreThe top portion of each stem or cane. Two or more branches or leaf clusters will grow out of the cane just below where you made the cut. Water the Dracaena deeply and infrequently supplying.
Is Dracaena Reflexa toxic?
Dracaenas are poisonous to dogs and cats. Don't let your animals consume your plant. Poisoning side effects include nausea, losing weight, loss of...
Where should I plant my Dracaena Reflexa?
When selecting the appropriate location to plant your Dracaena Reflexa, think about sunlight and humidity. See for a region in your lawn or home th...
How frequently should I water my Dracaena Reflexa?
Dracaena Reflexa does not need a lot of water and is happiest when their soil is kept somewhat moist but never soggy. Water your Dracaena Reflexa a...
How fast do Dracaena Reflexa grow?
Dracaena Reflexa plants grow at a relatively slow pace that varies upon their developing environments. When it is planted in an idyllic atmosphere...
How to grow Dracaena Reflexa from cuttings?
Once the cuttings grow roots, you can transfer them to a larger, potting mix-filled container. In a few days, you will have your young Dracaena Reflexa plant.
Where is Dracaena Reflexa native to?
The Dracaena Reflexa, endemic to Madagascar, Mauritius, and other islands of the Indian Ocean, is yet another specie of the large Dracaena population. It was first introduced in 1786 by Jean-Baptist Lamarck and has now become a common ornamental houseplant. Filtered indoor light or a semi-shaded spot is ideal for growing your Dracaena Reflexa plant.
How to get rid of mealybugs on Dracaena Reflexa?
Attempt blasting mealybugs off with a strong spray of water from the sprayer at your kitchen sink. If your Dracaena Reflexa plant is outside, wash it with a garden hose. You can also utilize a cotton ball or cotton swab sunk in rubbing alcohol to wipe the bugs. Wash your plant with clean water when you are finished.
Why are my Dracaena Reflexa leaves turning brown?
When Dracaena Reflexa is planted in areas with too low humidity, the leaves can become brown and ultimately decline.
How often should I feed my Dracaena Reflexa?
I like using houseplant fertilizer; just feed your Reflexa once every 2 weeks in summer and spring.
Why is Dracaena Reflexa used in NASA?
NASA used Dracaena Reflexa in its Clean Air Study plan to demonstrate its ability to eliminate formaldehyde. The leaves are the biggest appeal of this visually impressive houseplant. The yellow lines depicted on the narrow pointed leaves cannot be overlooked.
How hot does a dracaena grow?
Dracaena Reflexa is an ornamental house plant that can flourish in subtropical environments, where the temperature remains 65 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 25.5 degrees Celsius).
How to propagate Dracaena Reflexa?
Dracaena reflexa can be propagated through stem cuttings. This is the most common way to grow more of this beautiful houseplant because it is fairly easy to do.
What is a Dracaena Reflexa?
Dracaena reflexa is a popular houseplant that’s known for its beautiful leaves. It is often referred to as Pleomeles because it used to be classified under the genus Pleomele.
Do Dracaena reflexa like to water?
Keep your Dracaena reflexa on the dry side when it comes to watering. They prefer less to more when it comes this aspect.
How high can a sage plant get?
That said, be aware that outdoors, the plant will get to between 12 to 15 feet high. In its natural habitat, it can reach nearly 20 feet.
How hot does a sage plant need to be to grow?
As such, when growing it as a houseplant, it does best when temperature stays consistently between 65 to 80 degrees. It will also tolerate hotter conditions up to the 90s. But, it is not a good idea to keep it there for long periods as it will experience sluggish growth and stress.
When do you need to repot a plant?
So, you’ll only need to repot when you start seeing the roots coming out of the drainage holes or loosening the soil. Similarly, signs of stress also means it is time to move it to a larger home.
Do song of India plants need more light?
On the other hand, the plant will be happy in medium light, especially those with solid green leaves. Varieties like the very popular Song of India and Song of Jamaica, which have yellow and white stripes require more light. As such, they’re better off with bright, indirect exposure.
What to consider when repotting dracaena reflexa?
There are three things to consider when repotting dracaena reflexa: type of soil, size and shape.
What is Dracaena Reflexa Plant?
Dracaena Reflexa plants come either as single stemmed or twin stemmed varieties and can grow up to six feet tall. The dracaena reflexa plant can be identified by its drooping leaves and is sometimes referred to as the “Dragon Tree” because of their resemblance to scales.
How to treat spider mites on dracaena?
Spider mite infestation is a common dracaena reflexa plant disease that can be fixed by using an insecticide such as neem oil or spinosad. Aphid infestations are typically fixed by using insecticidal soaps. When dracaena reflexa plants are in the beginning stages of an aphid infestation, they can be easily cured with a powerful blast from the garden hose. This will knock off any leaves that have been contaminated and wash away insects eggs and other surface debris on foliage. Hot water is not recommended as dracaena reflexa plants may be weakened by the heat. Spider mites typically don’t spread like aphids do and thus can be controlled with neem oil or spinosad more easily on dracaena reflexa plant leaves.
How to root a dracaena?
You can easily root dracaena plants using water in cup or container with drainage holes at the bottom and filled halfway up with clean potting soil. Make sure that the dracaena is perky and has healthy, multiple stems.
What temperature should a dracaena plant be?
A dracaena reflexa plant enjoys a warm, humid environment – the ideal temperature is in the range of 20-30 degrees Celsius. It can tolerate lower temperatures down to 17 C during winter or when under stress from other factors such as lack of light and insufficient water supply. A dracaena reflexa plant should not be exposed to temperatures below 13 C or over 40 degrees Celsius.
How tall does a dracaena plant grow?
The dracaena reflexa plant is a type of evergreen. It can grow up to 1 meter in height, but it’s more common for dracaenas to be much smaller. The dracaena reflexa has a distinctive shape with long leaves which are arranged in pairs opposite each other on either side of the stem. When they are young, these leaves have green veins running along them like stripes; as they age, these veins fade away, leaving the dracaena reflexa with a solid green color. As these leaves age, they also become darker in color and turn into more of an olive or brown shade.
Why does a dracaena need humidity?
The dracaena reflexa plant needs humidity in the air because it is from a desert environment. However, there are some things that can be done to increase the level of humidity without having to rely on an entire room humidifier or small tabletop model like you might have inside your home office or bedroom. The dracaena reflexa plant is able to recognize if it is staying too dry and will close its leaves, which can damage the plant. It also makes dracaena reflexa less attractive to look at because it closes up instead of being a vibrant green color.
How to help Dracaena Reflexa?
The key to helping Dracaena reflexa thrive is to keep things balanced. If you are comfortable with your room temperature, your plant will be too. Do not water too much and it will be happy. It likes bright light but, like you, it will get a sunburn.
Where did the name Dracaena reflexa come from?
Dracaena reflexa was first described by famed French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1786. Though it has gone through several name changes since then, its genus name Dracaena comes from the Greek word drakaina meaning a female dragon.
What is the best houseplant for beginners?
Everyone who develops a love of houseplants needs to start somewhere. A great plant for novices is the rewarding, yet forgiving, Dracaena reflexa or Song of India.
What is the best potting mix for a plant?
A peaty, well-drained potting mix is best. It is good to remember that the more peat in the mix the faster the soil will decompose. You will need to repot plants and change the soil to alleviate this issue. Check yearly in the spring if this is a problem. One way to remedy this is by making a potting mix of your own with bark, peat, pumice, ...
What Is The Song of India?
- Dracaena reflexa originates from Madagascar, Mauritius, and islands in the Indian Ocean. Jean-Baptist Lamarck introduced the plant in 1786. Since then, it has become a common ornamental houseplant. The Dracaena song is famous for growing indoors and outdoors. Interestingly, the genus name comes from Greece ‘drakaina,’ meaning female dragon. Another...
Song of India Plant Care Basics
- The song of India plant can grow high and wide, so it is best to provide it with enough space to grow indoors. While the size might be overwhelming growing up to 15-feet, there is no need to worry as caring for it is easy. Once you learn to provide it with the best growing conditions, you’ll notice it thrives well. So keep reading to find out how to care for this beautiful plant.
Other Dracaena Species
- You can find approximately 120 species of shrubs and trees in the Dracaena genus. Here are some gorgeous plants you may encounter along your way.
Possible Diseases & Pests
- The good news is that the song of India is, to some extent, pest-free. Yet, fungus gnats are more of a concern when you plant them in bark soil or compost. Here are some pests and diseases you may find on your plant: 1. Mealybugs is one insect you need to keep an eye on. You notice them with a fuzzy or as a cotton mass. You can use a strong spray of water at the sink or outside wit…