Dracaena fragrans, or Dracaena fragrans, is a tall, multi-stemmed shrub with a lush crown. The most suitable conditions for its growth are in a tropical climate. With similar environmental parameters (comfortable temperature, high humidity), the plant can also develop correctly in a pot.
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Botanical characteristics
Dracaena fragrans is a representative of the asparagus genus. This variety is considered one of the most whimsical in care. It grows in the western regions of Africa and reaches 6-15 m. However, the opportunity to observe the growth of a large bush is only in natural conditions: in everyday life, the height of the plant does not exceed 2 m.
Dracaena got its name due to the pleasant aroma emitted by its white flowers (in translation from English, “fragrance” means “aroma”).
The leaves of the plant are long, narrow, glossy, and may have veins of a different color. In the natural environment, their length is often 1 m, and their width is no more than 10 cm. Due to the appearance of a large number of leaves with such parameters, it appears that the crown is lush. One of the features of the plant is the border along the edge, the color of which varies from yellow to light green.
The leaves cover the stem at the first stages of development. As it grows, the lower part of the trunk opens up, making the dracaena look like a palm tree, but these are different plants.
In most cases, the bush does not bloom at home. In natural conditions, the flowers have a light shade, form a brush. The peduncle can reach 1 m in length.
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Varieties of Dracaena fragrans
This group of plants includes the following species:
- Massangeana. The leaves, which are 8-12 cm long, are distinguished by the presence of a yellow stripe in the middle. Around it there are many veins of the same color. The average height of the bush when grown at home is 1.5 m. In the wild, the plant reaches 5-6 m. It is undemanding in care, but in summer it is recommended to keep dracaena away from dense shade and direct sunlight, and in winter - from cold and drafts.
- Victoria. The shrub differs little from the flowers of other Draсaena species. The difference between them is that the leaves of the Victoria variety are bordered with a yellow stripe.
- Compacta. This is a variety resistant to negative external factors. However, the pot with the plant should be placed as far as possible from windows, since dracaena develops faster in diffused light. The range of withstandable temperatures is quite wide: +12…+30°С.
- Lindenii. The leaves are uneven in color – there are white stripes along the edges. This is a branched plant, reaching 1.6 m in height. The flower develops better at a temperature of +16…+27°C. Unlike other varieties, it withstands dry air.
- Lemon Lime. The plant grows better under the influence of direct sunlight, prefers moderate humidity, so it is necessary to put the pot with the bush in an open area for several hours.
- Surprise. The leaves of the plant are long, twisted at the ends. There is a wide border of light green color along the edges. The crown is distinguished by its compact size, rosette arrangement of leaves. The height of the flower does not exceed 40 cm.
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Peculiarities of home care
In order for the plant to bloom at home, it is necessary to create conditions as close to natural as possible. In this case, the key factors are temperature, air humidity, intensity of lighting and watering, frequency of feeding and amount of fertilizers, pruning and replanting.
Temperature
The critical point is at +12°C. Below this value, conditions are created in which the bush begins to die. In winter, it is recommended to maintain the temperature within +15…+17°C. In summer, the bush should not be exposed to temperature changes, and it should not be left in the heat either. The recommended temperature regime for this period varies within +18…+25°C. The upper limit of this parameter is +28°C.
Air humidity
Most varieties of dracaena grow better indoors where the air contains more moisture. A value of at least 60% is considered sufficient. Some varieties grow in harsher conditions (when the air is dry), but with additional moisture. In this case, the pot is placed in a wide tray with expanded clay. You can spray the plant from a spray bottle, but excess moisture should be shaken off the leaves. An alternative option is wiping with a damp cloth.
Lighting
Varieties with dark green leaves can grow in partial shade. However, in most cases it is recommended to place the pot with the bush in the light, but not under the rays of sunlight. The radiation should be diffused. Varieties with multi-colored leaves will lose their brightness in the shade.
Watering
Excess liquid in winter harms the plant. From late autumn to early spring (during the dormant period), it is recommended to water the flower no more than once every 10-12 days. In the warm period of the year, under the influence of higher temperatures, it is necessary to provide regular watering of the bush. It is moistened 2-3 times a week: moderately water the soil, additionally irrigate the leaves and stem. Intensive watering contributes to stagnation of moisture at the roots, which negatively affects the plant.
Top dressing
The frequency of fertilization depends on the season. For example, from spring to late autumn, plants are fed at least twice a month. In winter, it is enough to fertilize once every 30 days. For this purpose, special additives for dracaenas and palms are used.
Transfer
It is not recommended to replant the plant annually: dracaena prefers constancy. However, as the bush develops (recommendation for young plants), it is replanted after 2 years. An adult dracaena also needs to be replanted, but less often - every 3 years.
When the bush has grown to its maximum height, it should not be replanted: it is enough to regularly change the top layer of soil, which consists of leaf, compost, turf soil with the addition of sphagnum peat, sand (large-fraction, purified). You can buy ready-made soil in specialized stores, adding sand to it.
To ensure a loose soil structure, charcoal or brick chips are used.
How to prune a plant
Follow these recommendations:
- To obtain a branched plant (with several trunks), the crown is cut below the level of the leaves by 15 cm.
- The cut areas are treated with activated carbon.
- After 1 month, new shoots appear on the trunk, from which a multi-stemmed bush grows. Excess shoots (if more than 5 shoots) are removed.
The cut crown is placed in a pot first without soil - to dry. Then a mixture of sand and peat is added, covered with film on top to create a greenhouse effect. The plant should be placed in a warm room, daily removing the cover for 30 minutes for ventilation.
When and how does Dracaena fragrans bloom
For flowers to appear, it is necessary to provide conditions close to natural (as in tropical countries).
Dracaena flowers appear overnight, emitting a strong smell at night (they are closed during the day). The flower stalk is cut off after the flowering period. Lateral shoots begin to grow in its place.
Reproduction of Dracaena Fragrans
Possible reproduction options:
- Cutting. The most common option. The shoots are cut from the top of the crown. To help them take root, a substrate is used. The container is covered with glass or film. The plant takes root in 1 month.
- Layers. Layers are obtained by making a cut along the trunk to the middle. To prevent the edges of the gap from closing, you need to insert a match into the cut. This area is insulated with moss, polyethylene.
- Stem cuttings. The stem is cut so that at least 2 buds remain on each section. The length of such cuttings can vary: from 5 to 15 cm. They must be rooted using light soil.
- Seeds. The plant rarely reproduces by seeds, which is due to the rare flowering in everyday life. In this case, it is necessary to artificially pollinate the flowers with a brush.
Diseases and pests
Common diseases:
- rot (its various types) due to increased intensity of watering, low temperatures;
- hypothermia;
- yellowing of leaves due to dry air.
The most common pests found on dracaena are spider mites, aphids, scale insects, and mealybugs. They must be controlled with insecticides or acaricides. The choice of agent is made taking into account the type of insect or mite. Additionally, the soil moisture level should be increased. It is recommended to spray the plant with water from a spray bottle, since parasites do not tolerate high humidity.
