Dracaena marginata - Dragon Tree
Dracaena Marginata
Dragon Tree
Family: Asparagaceaea
Genus: Dracaena
Species: Marginata
Cultivars: Normal, Bicolor, Sunray
Common names: Dragon Tree, Margarita Tree
Difficulty: Low
Description: This common plant has been seen in many offices! It has wild stems that grow and bend towards light. Mature plants can have extremely interesting trunks that bend and swirl. It has pompom like foliage filled with long thin leaves at the end of the bare bark trunks. It has several varieties that have red, pink, and yellow variegation.
Size: This plant is relatively slow growing and is regularly seen 1-3 feet tall and 1 foot wide when sold. It can slowly grow over time into a full tree reaching sizes upwards of 20 feet tall. Due to the slow growth rate, this would take decades to achieve.
Light: Bright indirect light. Medium light tolerant. Some direct sun ok. Basically just no dark windowless rooms.
Water: Very forgiving with drought. Water deeply when the soil is 100% dry. Don’t let the lush green leaves fool you, the number one reason these plants die is from root rot due to over watering.
Temperature: Ideal between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 40 degrees.
Humidity: Ambient home humidity is fine for this plant. It will not be bothered by dry air.
Soil: A quick draining soil mix is recommended to help avoid root rot. We use 2-parts coco coir, 1-part bark, 1-part sand, 1-part perlite.
Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis. If using grow lights, fertilize year-round. If using only natural light, fertilize from May to September.
Repotting: Only repot when the roots are coming out of drainage holes. Move up only 1 pot size when transplanting. This plant requires drainage holes in all planters. Do not fertilize for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. Water the plant in after transplant and immediately resume allowing to dry completely between waterings.
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humas, dogs, and cats. Non-poisonous to humans. Moderately poisonous to dogs, causing stomach upset. Highly poisonous to cats, causing bloody vomiting, depression, and can be fatal. Seek immediate veterinary care.
Native to: Madagascar.
Companion Animals: This plant should only be used in true carnivore cages with a semi-arid climate. Do not use with herbivores or insectivores. We would only recommend this for snakes, monitors, and crocodilians.
Dracaena trifasciata - Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata – formerly known as Sanseviera trifasciata
Snake Plant
Family: Asparagaceaea
Genus: Dracaena – formerly Sanseviera
Species: Trifasciata
Cultivars: Normal, variegated, ‘Zeylanica’ Moonlight, Robusta, Night Owl, Black Coral, Var. Laurentii, Moonshine, Whale Fin
Common names: Snake plant, Mother-in-laws Toungue
Difficulty: Low
Description: This common plant has been seen in many offices! It has been deemed the closest thing to a plastic plant you can have that is real. It has waxy, almost plastic looking leaves. It is a slow grower that is tolerant of many growing conditions. The leaves resemble swords coming out of the ground with no trunk or base. They come in a few colors, dark green, with yellow or light green variegation. They are a classic plant that is great for beginners or low maintenance environments. While all plants help purify the air, this is the plant that NASA uses for air purification. It can’t replace commercial air purifiers but will do more than most houseplants. Finally, this plant used to be in the genus Sanseviera, but has been reclassified by scientists to be a sub-genus of the Dracaena.
Size: This plant is relatively slow growing and is regularly seen between 2-3 feet tall. It grows as wide as the pot will allow, making it common in hedges in malls. In the right conditions this plant can reach heights of over 6 feet, but this is very mature and well cared for plants.
Light: This plant is the picture of perfection for low light needs. It is tolerant of just about anything except bright light. It has been observed growing by normal lighting with no natural light or grow lights.
Water: Very forgiving with drought. Water deeply when the soil is 100% dry. Don’t let the lush green leaves fool you, the number one reason snake plants die is from root rot via over watering.
Temperature: Ideal between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 40 degrees.
Humidity: Ambient home humidity is fine for this plant. It will not be bothered by dry air.
Soil: A quick draining soil mix is recommended to help avoid root rot. We use 2-parts coco coir, 1-part bark, 1-part sand, 1-part perlite.
Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis from May to September.
Repotting: Only repot when the roots are coming out of drainage holes. Move up only 1 pot size when transplanting. This plant requires drainage holes in all planters. Do not fertilize for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. Water the plant in after transplant and immediately resume allowing to dry completely between waterings.
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humas, dogs, and cats. Lightly poisonous to humans. Highly poisonous to dogs and cats, commonly causing anaphylaxis. Seek immediate veterinary care.
Native to: Primarily found in Central Africa, it is widespread and be found in parts of Madagascar and Asia.
Companion Animals: This plant should only be used in true carnivore cages with a semi-arid climate. Do not use with herbivores or insectivores. We would only recommend this for snakes, monitors, and crocodilians.
Dracaena gigantea - Yucca Cane
Dracaena Gigantea
Yucca Cane
Family: Asparagaceaea
Genus: Dracaena
Species: Gigantea
Cultivars: None
Common names: Yucca, Yucca Cane.
Difficulty: Low
Description: This common plant has been seen in many offices! It is a lush green tree with slow growth that requires very little care. It is a classic up there with Pothos. Although classics may not be for the most avid collectors, it is a plant I couldn’t see my home without. This plant, regardless of its name is not a true yucca, but does resemble one.
Size: This plant is relatively slow growing and is regularly seen 1-3 feet tall and 1 foot wide when sold. It can slowly grow over time into a full tree reaching sizes upwards of 20 feet tall. Due to the slow growth rate, this would take decades to achieve.
Light: Bright indirect light. Medium light tolerant. Some direct sun ok. Basically, just no dark windowless rooms.
Water: Very forgiving with drought. Water deeply when the soil is 100% dry. Don’t let the lush green leaves fool you, the number one reason these die is from root rot from over watering.
Temperature: Ideal between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 40 degrees.
Humidity: Ambient home humidity is fine for this plant. It will not be bothered by dry air.
Soil: A quick draining soil mix is recommended to help avoid root rot. We use 2-parts coco coir, 1-part bark, 1-part sand, 1-part perlite.
Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis. If using grow lights, fertilize year-round. If using only natural light, fertilize from May to September.
Repotting: Only repot when the roots are coming out of drainage holes. Move up only 1 pot size when transplanting. This plant requires drainage holes in all planters. Do not fertilize for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. Water the plant in after transplant and immediately resume allowing to dry completely between waterings.
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humas, dogs, and cats. Non-poisonous to humans. Moderately poisonous to dogs, causing stomach upset. Highly poisonous to cats, causing bloody vomiting, depression, and can be fatal. Seek immediate veterinary care.
Native to: Portugal, Canary Islands, Morocco.
Companion Animals: This plant should only be used in true carnivore cages with a semi-arid climate. Do not use with herbivores or insectivores. We would only recommend this for snakes, monitors, and crocodilians.