Dragon Tree
Dracaena marginata
Toxic to cats and dogs
Very forgiving. Let most of the soil dry out; sensitive to fluoride, so rainwater or filtered water keeps leaf tips clean.
Toxicity
Toxic Usually mild
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
In cats: dilated pupils, abdominal pain, increased heartrate and drooling. In both cats and dogs: vomiting, depression, inappetence, drooling, incoordination, and weakness.
Toxic Usually mild
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
In cats: dilated pupils, abdominal pain, increased heartrate and drooling. In both cats and dogs: vomiting, depression, inappetence, drooling, incoordination, and weakness.
Source — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, toxic and non-toxic plant list; read from this species' own page
Pet-safety information is a general guide from the ASPCA's toxic-plant database and covers cats and dogs only. "If eaten" summarises the symptoms ASPCA lists for that plant; how an animal actually reacts depends on how much it ate and on the animal. It isn't exhaustive, isn't veterinary advice, and individual animals vary — never rely on it as the sole basis for a decision about your pet. If you think your pet has eaten a harmful plant, contact a vet immediately.
Care
- WaterEvery 10–14 days
- LightMedium light
- HumidityAverage humidity
- Temperature18–27 °C
The same interval the Sabz app schedules reminders from. In autumn and winter the app stretches it; see houseplants in autumn.
Common problems
Dragon tree brown leaf tips
Brown tips on a dragon tree come from fluoride in tap water and from dry air — dracaenas are among the most sensitive plants to both. Switch to rainwater or filtered water, flush the compost through every couple of months, and keep it off the radiator. Trim the tips at an angle; the new leaves come in clean.
Dragon tree yellow lower leaves
One or two of the lowest leaves yellowing and dropping is normal — that is how the trunk forms. Several at once, with damp compost, is overwatering: it wants a drink every ten to fourteen days in summer and half that in winter. Let it dry a good way down before the next.
Dragon tree bare stems
A tall bare stem with a tuft of leaves at the top is either the plant's natural shape as it ages or a plant that has been short of light and dropped its lower leaves faster. Give it medium to bright indirect light, and if the shape bothers you, cut the stem back in spring — it sprouts new heads just below the cut, and the top roots in water.
Similar plants
- Corn Plant toxicDracaena fragrans
- Lucky Bamboo toxicDracaena sanderiana
- Song of India toxicDracaena reflexa
- Grape Ivy safeCissus rhombifolia
In the app
Add a dragon tree to Sabz and the watering interval above becomes a reminder, the toxicity verdict sits on the plant's own page, and when a leaf turns, the Check-up reads what you have actually logged to say why.
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