Dracaena deremensis Indoor Care, Propagation, Common Problems and Fixes
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Dracaena deremensis requires bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Dracaena deremensis is one of the slow-growing Dracaena plant varieties which bears 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 Song of India Plant (Dracaena reflexa) which is a small-sized plant, Dracaena deremensis, is a magnificent, large statement plant making it one of the best plants for the front porch or entrance.
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 reach a height of 4 feet or more when mature and the leaves are about 1.5 feet long. It is considered as one of the best large-leafed plants that make a bold statement in any space.
Air Cleaning
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Dracaena deremensis Janet Craig and Dracaena deremensis warneckii were found to be among the best air-purifying plants which get rid of xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloethylene from indoor air.
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 inches long and is ideal for small spaces among many others.
Toxicity
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.
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).
Dracaena deremensis Care Indoors
Dracaena deremensis grows best in bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 18-270C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose 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
Water Dracaena deremensis thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 inches 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 result in root-rot and death of the plant.
Use water that is at room temperature and free of chlorine, flourides and other chemicals to prevent brown leaf tips.
Light Requirements
Dracaena deremensis grows best in bright, indirect light (dappled light). It can also grow in shade but the the leaves will be much narrower.
Keep it away from hot direct sunlight as it can lead to scorching of the leaves which appear as unsightly brown spots on the leaves.
You may also grow Dracaena deremensis under a grow light where the natural light is not adequate. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and avoid leggy growth. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Temperature and Humidity
Dracaena deremensis requires an average warmth of 18-270C with a minumum of 150C inorder to thrive. Keep it away from drafts as they cause sudden changes in temperature.
Dracaena deremensis has no need for high humidity. Moderate room humidity of 50-55% 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 elevate humidity for houseplants.
Clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.
Fertilizer
Feed Dracaena deremensis monthly during the growing period with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to encourage a lush growth. Do not feed in 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.
Potting 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. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
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. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
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 inches 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 inches 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.
Related: How to Propagate Dracaena Plants (4 Propagation Methods)
Dracaena deremensis Common Problems and Fixes
Dracaena deremensis problems 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.
Pests
The common pests in Dracaena deremensis are mealybugs, scale insects and spidermites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it appropriately for these pests.
Yellowing 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.
The Dracaena Plant may develop yellowing leaves if the growing conditions like lighting, watering, feeding, temperature and humidity are not met.
Read more on these 14 Reasons why a Dracaena Leaves are Yellowing with Remedies
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. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom or kitchen. or other humid areas in the home.
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 drafts. Place the plant away from cold drafts like windy doors and windows to maintain an average room temperature.
Plant dying
Dracaena deremensis is prone to root-rot 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 well-drained to prevent it from getting soggy. In addition, lessen watering in 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 temperature of 18-270C and keep the plant away from cold drafts. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for the plant. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
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.
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.
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