How Often to Water Dracaena: Expert Tips

Dracaena are beautiful and versatile houseplants, popular for their tropical charm and relatively easy-care needs. These beauties thrive indoors and outdoors, requiring minimal attention and expertise. 

Knowing how often to water a Dracaena, however, is a key aspect of their care. So, if you are a novice plant parent to a dragon tree plant, our expert tips in this guide will help you meet its essential watering needs.

But first, let’s learn a bit more about these exotic wonders.

About Dracaena Plants

Dracaena plants are known for their dense and often colorful foliage. They come in a variety of sizes and leaf patterns, often with stunning variegation. There are Dragon Tree and Corn Plant varieties with an upright trunk crowned by a canopy of long, pointed leaves. Other Dracaena varieties have thicker leaves growing from the base. 

Most Dracaena plants are native to the tropical areas of Africa. These warmth-loving plants can grow outside in hardiness zones 10-12, and they’re easy to care for indoors. Dracaenas are considered some of the best air-purifying plants, as they filter benzene and xylene out of indoor air. These tropical plants symbolize good luck and strength. Unfortunately, they’re toxic to pets if ingested. Some of the most beautiful varieties include the sunny and lush Dracaena Lemon Lime or the stunning White Striped Dracaena, both belonging to the Dracaena warneckii species.

Dracaena plants are ideal for beginners if one understands their basic growing requirements. 

But how often do you water Dracaena to keep it healthy and strong?

How Much Water Does a Dracaena Need?

Dracaena plants require deep watering. This helps their entire root system get hydrated. Water your plant thoroughly every 10 - 14 days. Watering more but less frequently is better than watering too often.

Do Dracaena Trees Like to Dry Out?

Dracaena trees are drought-tolerant and prefer their soil to dry thoroughly between waterings (about 60-70%). Always let the top few inches of soil dry before the next watering session. These plants can develop root rot if left sitting in water.

How Often to Water Dracaena

Does Dracaena like a lot of water? Dracaenas require a consistent watering routine to develop into lush, mature plants. However, keep in mind that watering Dracaena correctly is all about balance. You will need to adjust your Dracaena watering schedule to the seasons, climate, indoor humidity, and light conditions.

When to Water Dracaena

Determining how often to water a Dracaena starts with evaluating its current growing conditions. Water more frequently during the summer, in warm, dry rooms, or if placed by a sunny window. It’s always best to water in the morning to ensure your plant has time to absorb the water before the cooler night temperatures set in.

The watering frequency will depend on both the indoor temperature and the level of light exposure. If your plant is growing in a sunnier location, it may require watering once a week. Watering once every two weeks is generally sufficient in lower light and higher humidity. Deciding how often to water Dracaena in winter is easier. Dracaena plants are semi-dormant in winter and require watering only once every 2 or 4 weeks.

How to Water Dracaena

Water your Dracaena with filtered or distilled water to avoid brown tips caused by the chemicals in tap water. Avoid watering with cold water, as this can shock the plant.

Do You Water a Dracaena From Top or Bottom?

You can water your Dracaena plant from the top or from the bottom. Watering from the top is better during spring and summer, when your plant is actively growing. It helps flush out any accumulated salts from fertilizers. Bottom watering is also a good option; it lets the plant absorb as much as it needs. Remember to drain the excess water from the tray. Bottom watering helps support root growth. You can also plant your Dracaena in a smart watering pot, which mimics the bottom-watering technique.

Dracaena Plant Watering: Extra Tips and Tricks

Incorrect watering is one of the most frequent mistakes plant enthusiasts make when caring for Dracaena plants. Knowing what an overwatered or underwatered Dracaena looks like will help you avoid common issues with this gorgeous plant.

So, how do you tell if your Dracaena is overwatered or underwatered? Here’s what to look for:

What Does an Overwatered Dracaena Look Like? 

The roots of overwatered Dracaena plants cannot absorb water and start to rot. They’ll show the following signs of distress, usually, on the foliage:

• Yellowing leaves
• Mushy stems and leaves
• Drooping foliage
• Moldy-smelling soil

How to Fix Overwatered Dracaena

Overwatering can lead to severe damage or even kill your plant if not fixed promptly. This is why it’s important to know how to revive a Dracaena plant from overwatering. Stop watering when you notice the first signs. Move your plant to a sunnier and warmer location. Check that the drainage holes aren’t clogged and remove all the damaged foliage. In cases of severe overwatering, you may need to repot your plant. Use better-draining soil and a pot with larger drainage holes.

How Do I Know If My Dracaena Needs Water?

Some plant enthusiasts tend to overwater, while others water too little. How do you know if your plant is thirsty, and what does an underwatered Dracaena look like? 

Watch for the following signs of underwatering your Dracaena:

• Dry, crispy leaves that fall off when touched
• Brown leaf tips
• Wilting and colorless leaves
• Soil that pulls away from the pot’s edges and feels dry

How Do I Save My Dying Dracaena? 

Water your Dracaena plant thoroughly, then let the excess water drain. Keep watering regularly when the soil dries, and your plant should recover. Ensure that your plant receives indirect light and maintain medium to high humidity around it. Remove all the brown leaves to encourage your Dracaena to grow new foliage.

Dracaena Watering: FAQs

Q: How long can Dracaena go without water? 

A: Different Dracaena varieties can go without water for weeks or even months. In the summer, these tough plants can easily go without water for a week or two. Whereas in winter, they can normally survive without water for a month.

Q: Does Dracaena like misting?

A: Dracaena plants don’t really need misting. In dry spaces, it’s better to use a humidifier or place your Dracaena on a pebble tray. If you decide to mist, do so in the morning so there’s plenty of time for the moisture to evaporate.

Q: How often should I water a Dracaena plant in winter?

A: Dracaena plants require less frequent watering during their dormant phase in winter. Water your Dracaena once every 3 or 4 weeks. Check that the top layer of the soil is dry before watering.

Q: Can I water my Dracaena with tap water?

A: Dracaenas are sensitive to fluoride and chlorine contained in tap water, which is why it isn’t good for your plant. Try letting the tap water sit for 24 hours before watering to let the chemicals evaporate. The best choices are rainwater, distilled, or filtered water, however.

Q: Do Dracaena like to be wet?

A: Dracaena plants don’t like to be wet. Soggy soil can lead to root rot, whereas misting and leaving water on its leaves can lead to fungal issues.

Q: How to fix drooping Dracaena?

A: If your Dracaena looks drooping, but the stems aren’t mushy, it may mean it doesn’t receive sufficient light. Move your plant to a spot with bright, indirect light. Rotate the plant regularly so that the crown is exposed evenly to light.

Conclusion

Understanding Dracaena care and its water requirements isn’t as tricky as it may seem at first. This plant needs its soil to dry between waterings and grows best in bright, indirect light. Checking the soil before watering, reducing watering in winter, and using filtered water are simple and effective ways to keep this plant hydrated. 

Try growing your Dracaena with other easy-care plants that have similar low-water needs, like the ZZ Plant, Bromeliad Guzmania, or Cast Iron Plant. This will help you create a low-maintenance indoor plant display that will thrive even if your schedule doesn’t allow you plenty of time for plant care.