How to Grow and Care for Dracaena deremensis Indoors
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Botanical name: Dracaena deremensis
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Description
Dracaena deremensis is a slow growing plant whose foliage is dark-green 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.
Dracaena deremensis is ideal as a stand alone plant or as part of a mixed group, with the various leaf patterns complementing and overlapping one another.
Size
The Dracaena deremensis plant can reach a height of 4 ft or more when mature. The leaves are about 1.5 ft long and may die if exposed to excessive sunlight.
Origin
Dracaena deremensis is native Tropical Africa and Asia.
Air Cleaning
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Dracaena deremensis Janet Craig and Dracaena deremensis warneckii were found to remove common VOCs like xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloethylene.
Varieties
The common varieties of Dracaena deremensis are Dracaena deremensis Janet Craig which is all green.
Dracaena deremenis warneckii which bears white stripes close to the edge.
The basic variety, Dracaena deremensis 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 in. long and is ideal for small spaces among many others.
Where to Buy
Beautiful Dracaena deremensis are available online in various sizes at Etsy. Buy magnificent Dracaena Plants online from Etsy.
Dracaena deremensis Care Indoors
Dracaena deremensis thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warmth and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. It has no need for high humidity but does well in average room humidity.
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.
Light Requirements
Dracaena deremensis grows best in bright, indirect light. It can also grow in shade but the the leaves will be much narrower.
Avoid direct sunlight as it can lead to sunburn brown spots on the leaves.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.
Dracaena deremensis can also grow under a grow light where the natural light is not adequate.
Watering
Water Dracaena deremensis thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil consistently moist.
Decrease watering in the cold season as growth is minimal to keep the soil slightly moist but do not let it dry out completely.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil if free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.
Use water that is at room temperature and free of chlorine, flourides and other chemicals to prevent brown leaf tips.
Temperature
Dracaena deremensis requires an average warmth with a minumum of 150C inorder to thrive. Keep it away from drafts as they cause sudden changes in temperature.
Humidity
Dracaena deremensis has no need for high humidity. Average room humidity is ideal for this plant.
However, if the air is too dry especially where the temperature is high, increase humidity by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Dracaena deremensis monthly during the growing period with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to encourage a lush growth.
Do not feed during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
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. Allow it to run for a few minutes and repeat several times.
Repotting
Repot Dracaena deremensis at the beginning of the growing season when roots begin to grow through the drainage holes as the plant prefers to be slightly root-bound.
Use a pot 1 size larger and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease. Never allow the roots to sit in soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot.
Soil
The best soil for Dracaena deremensis should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.
Multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant. Purchase quality Potting Mix for Dracaena deremensis online from Etsy.
Pruning
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 and the crown of leaves can be used to propagate a new plant.
Propagation
Dracaena deremensis can be propagated in three ways; by air layering, from stem cuttings or by use of the crown from old leggy canes.
How to Propagate Dracaena deremensis by Air layering
Make a notch on the stem of a healthy Dracaena deremensis plant and coat the notch with a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
Surround the notched area with damp moss and then cover it with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.
Maintain the area moist and allow some time for roots to develop in the notched area.
After the roots have formed sever the stem just below the covered part, remove the polythene and carefully pot the rooted cutting.
New shoots will sprout from the shortened stem of the old Dracaena deremensis plant.
Allow the new rooted cutting to be well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Dracaena deremensis from the top crown of leaves
Remove the top crown of leaves from Dracaena deremensis plant bearing about 3 in. of stem. Apply a rooting hormone on the lower cut end of the stem.
Insert the crown of leaves in moist, free-draining rooting soil and place the set in a warm, brightly-lit spot away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the rooting soil moist until rooting occurs. Rooting should occur in about 3-6 weeks.
When you observe new growth, the new Dracaena deremensis can be transplanted to its own pot and routine care can begin.
How to propagate Dracaena deremensis from stem cuttings
Take 2-3 in. long stem cuttings from a healthy Dracaena deremensis. Ensure each cutting has some leaf nodes as this is where new growth will come from.
Dip the lower cut-end of the cuttings in a rooting hormone to enhance rooting.
Fill a rooting container with free-draining rooting soil. Lightly moisten the rooting mix.
With a pencil or similar object, make a hole in the moist rooting mix. The hole should be slightly wider than the diameter of the cutting.
Insert the cutting in the previously made hole in the moist rooting mix and lightly firm the soil around the cutting base.
Cover the container with clear polythene sheet. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist through out until the new Dracaena deremensis are well established after which routine care can begin.
Dracaena deremensis Problems Indoors
Dracaena deremensis problems indoors are due to cultural faults (improper care) and include brown leaf tips, yellowing, leaf spots, plant death, pests and diseases among others. Continue reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Brown leaf tips and yellow edges
There are four possible reasons for brown leaf tips and yellow edges in Dracaena deremensis. One possible reason is dry air (too low humidity).
Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
The second possible reason for brown leaf tips and yellow edges in Dracaena deremensis is underwatering.
Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold period but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
The third possible reason for brown leaf tips and yellow edges in Dracaena deremensis is chemical accumulation in the soil.
Use only chemical free water to water the plant and regularly flush out salts from the soil by running a steady stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the draiange hole.
The fourth possible reason for brown leaf tips and yellow edges in Dracaena deremensis is cold draughts.
Place the plant away from cold draughts like windy doors and windows to maintain an average room temperature.
Plant death
Dracaena deremensis is prone to root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil. If the soil remains soggy for too long, the plant will die.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy.
In addition, lessen watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time.
Another possible cause of the death in Dracaena deremensis is keeping it too cold below 150C.
Maintain an average room temperature and keep the plant away from cold draughts. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for the plant.
Dracaena deremensis could also be dying from accumulation of salts in the soil.
Regularly flush out accumulated salts in the soil 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.
Yellowing lower leaves
Yellowing lower leaves is a natural process in Dracaena deremensis. As the plant matures it sheds the lower leaves. Each lower leaf turns yellow and dries leaving a crown of leaves on top of the cane-like stem.
Leaves soft, curled with brown edges
If the temperature is too low Dracaena deremensis leaves become soft and curled and the edges turn brown. Maintain an average room temperature and keep the plant away from cold draughts.
Brown leaf spots
Dracaena deremensis will develop brown leaf spots if it is underwatered. Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold season but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Bleached dry leaf patches
Direct sunlight will cause bleached dry patches on the leaves of Dracaena deremensis. Move the plant to a shadier spot or shield it from direct sunlight.
Pests
The common pests in Dracaena deremensis are Mealy Bugs, Scale Insects and Spider Mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it appropriately for these pests.
Is Dracaena deremensis toxic?
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.
