Dracaena deremensis Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Soil, Fertilizer, Problems
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Dracaena deremensis thrives in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Dracaena deremensis is among slow-growing Dracaena varieties and features dark-green foliage with one or more longitudinal stripes in a different color.
As it grows, it sheds the lower leaves, leaving a bare stem with a cluster of leaves at the top. A new plant may drop a few leaves as it adjusts to its new home.
Unlike Dracaena reflexa (Song of India Plant) which is a small-sized plant, Dracaena deremensis, is a striking, large plant for the front porch or entrance, for a great first impression.
Dracaena deremensis is also great as part of a mixed group, with the various leaf patterns complementing and overlapping one another.
Botanical name: Dracaena deremensis
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Origin
Dracaena deremensis is native Tropical Africa and Asia.
Size
Dracaena deremensis can grow to a height of 4 feet or more when mature and the leaves are about 1.5 feet long. Based on its size, it is among favored bold statement plants for any space.
Air Cleaning
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Dracaena deremensis Janet Craig and Dracaena deremensis warneckii were found to be good air-purifying plants, which get rid of xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloethylene from indoor air.
Varieties
Some of the popular varieties of Dracaena deremensis are:
- Dracaena deremensis Janet Craig which is all green.
- Dracaena deremenis warneckii which bears white stripes close to the edge.
- Dracaena deremensis the basic variety, which has two broad white bands at the center.
- Dracaena deremensis Lemon Suprise has yellow edges.
- Dracaena deremensis Janet Craig Compacta has much smaller leaves about 8 inches long and is ideal for small spaces.
Is Dracaena deremensis poisonous?
Yes. Dracaena deremensis is toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. The leaves contain alkyds which if ingested they may cause vomiting and excessive salivation. Keep it away from the rech of children, cats, dogs and other pets.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to acquire Dracaena deremensis for your collection, you may obtain it online from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from ( Link to Etsy).
How to care for Dracaena deremensis indoors
To care for Dracaena deremensis indoors, grow it in bright indirect light (filtered light), warmth of 18-270C, humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Dracaena deremensis requires repotting only when the roots begin to grow through the drainage holes. Frequent pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat, to minimize pests and diseases and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often do you water Dracaena deremensis?
Water Dracaena deremensis thoroughly in spring and summer until the water drips through the drainage hole. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist since growth is reduced at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing and dropping leaves.
Ensure that pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to avoid waterlogging which can result in root-rot and death of the plant. Avoid wetting the foliage to discourage fungal diseases.
Use room temperature water to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth and leaf drop. Confirn that the water is free of chlorine, flourides and other chemicals to prevent browning leaf tips and edges.
Light Requirements
Can I grow Dracaena deremensis in low light?
Dracaena deremensis grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light). Place it near a large, brightly-lit window but away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaves; unsightly brown spots on the leaves.
It can tolerate some shade but the the leaves will be much narrower. Therefore, if the natural light is not adequate, use a grow light to increase it.
Monthly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for a balanced growth and prevent leggy growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Dracaena deremensis flourishes in a warmth of 18-270C with a minumum of 150C. Keep it away from drafts coming from windy doors, hot air vents, stoves, AC units and others, to prevent temperature flactuations which can cause reduced growth, drooping, yellowing, leaf loss and brown leaf tips.
Dracaena deremensis requires a humidity of 50-55%. However, too dry air can result in brown leaf tips and edges. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or group the plants together. Maintain good air flow to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
How often should I fertilize my Dracaena deremensis?
Feed your Dracaena deremensis with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer monthly in spring and summer to encourage a lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.
Flush out accumulated salts every 1-2 months, by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for a few minutes and repeat several times to clear most of the salts.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Dracaena deremensis is a rich, well-draining soil to prevent sogginess while providing the nutrients needed. A blend of 2 parts potting soil, 1 part perlite, and 1 part orchid bark is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot your Dracaena deremensis at the beginning of the growing season when roots begin to grow through the drainage hole as it prefers to be slightly pot-bound.
Use a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid root-rot; never allow the roots to sit in soggy soil. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pruning Dracaena deremensis involves removal of dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as discourage pests and diseases.
Prune thin or bare stemmed plants during the growing season by cutting off the top crown of leaves along the stem. New leaves will sprout just below the cut. The crown of leaves can be used to propagate a new plant.
Clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.
Dracaena deremensis Propagation
Dracaena deremensis is propagated at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), by air layering, from the top crown of leaves or from stem cuttings which can be rooted either in water or in soil. Learn how to propagate Dracaena deremensis by 4 propagation methods.
Dracaena deremensis Problems & Fixes
Dracaena deremensis common problems are yellow leaves, brown leaves, brown leaf tips, dying plant, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their solutions.
Yellow leaves
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Dracaena deremensis are too little light, inconsistent, soggy soil, temperature stress or nutrients deficiency.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for long.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining potting soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot surfaces, hot air vents, AC units, windy doors among others.
Nutrient deficiency: Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Brown leaves
Why are my Dracaena deremensis leaves turning brown?
The main causes of brown leaves on your Dracaena deremensis are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, direct sunlight or aging.
How to fix it
Inconsistent water: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and a well-draining potting soil.
Temperatute stress: Protect the plant from drafts emanating from AC units, heat sources, windy doors among others.
Direct sunlight: Keep the plant away from direct sunlight or use a light curtain to filter the sunshine.
Aging: This is a natural process; as the plant matures the lower leaves turn brown and die.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Dracaena deremensis are caused by dry air, underwatering, salts buidup, and cold drafts.
How to fix it
Dry air: To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom and other humid areas.
Underwatering: Maintain the soil consistently moist in spring and summer and slightly moist in fall and winter but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Salts buildup: Use rain water or filtered water. Flush out excess salts regularly, by running a steady stream of water through the soil until it drips through the draiange hole.
Cold drafts: Place the plant away from cold drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units among others.
Plant dying
Dracaena deremensis is dying due to root-rot, cold drafts, and salts buildup.
How to fix it
Root-rot: The disease is promoted by soggy soil. It is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.
- Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.
- Trim the brown-black, mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution. Ensure to follow the instructions on the label.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.
- Do not water the plant immediately and keep it dry for 5-7 days before you resume watering.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil to avoid getting soggy soil.
- Lessen watering in fall and winter as growth is slowed at this time; keep the soil slightly moist.
Cold drafts: Keep the plant away from cold drafts to maintain temperatures of 18-270C
Salts buildup: Regularly flush out accumulated salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole.
Pests
What pests attack Dracaena deremensis?
Common pests on Dracaena deremensis are mealybugs, scale insects and spidermites which are prevalent in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers recommendations.
- Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Keep the plant properly pruned and raise humidity to discourage pest infestation.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to upscale humidity.
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