Dracaena Ray Of Sunshine

This Dracaena loves bright, indirect light to bring out the red tones in the leaves. However, he can hold up well in moderate light, although he will grow slower and lose the leaves' reddish tones.

Water this plant when the soil is dry on the top few inches. If you skip a week, it's very forgiving. If the leaves are turning, check the soil moisture and back off watering as much.

Prefers moderate humidity to thrive well and last throughout the spring and summer months. Move your plant close by other plants, add a pebble tray and spritz to increase the humidity around it. If the tips are browning, add more humidity to the air (40-55%).

Keep this plant in rooms where the temperature is a comfortable 60°F-75°F and avoid cold drafts or air vents below 55°F.

Outside: Keep it in full shade on a patio out of direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn where nights are above 55°F.

This dragon tree doesn't need much fertilizing. Fertilize three times a year during the growing season by diluting a liquid fertilizer into the water while watering. Use half the recommended strength. Let the plant rest in the fall and winter by not fertilizing and reduce watering in the winter.

When receiving the Dracaena, do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months or if the roots are beginning to get crowded and growing through the drainage holes. This plant prefers being root bound and grows slowly so no hurry.
Repot in the spring, using a 2 inches bigger pot to keep the roots drier. (Too big of a planter could cause the soil to dry slower.)
Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow it to drain. Use a well-draining indoor potting mix with perlite to help with drainage.
Water your plant in the old pot before transferring over and let it sit an hour.
Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen.
Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, loosen the roots to alleviate continued encircling.
Ensure the plant is sitting about 1 inch below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over.
Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. If settling occurs, add more soil.
Water well to dampen the soil and let it drain.

Gently wipe clean with a soft damp cloth or paper towel. Work gently from the stem's base toward the tip of the leaf doing both sides at once. After cleaning the leaves, remove any dead leaves or debris on the surface of the soil. At this time, keep a lookout for pests and treat or remove them. Refreshen soil mixture if needed.

Prune away dead, damaged, or diseased leaves down to the stem base with sterile scissors or a knife. It can be pruned down to a manageable height if overgrown in early spring and summer. Cut off where you'd like new growth to start. Right below the cut, new growth will emerge.

To propagate this plant, you will take stalk cuttings in the early spring. This will cause the parent plant to branch eventually. Decide where you prefer the plant to branch. Trim the leaves away from the stalk all the way around to get a clean, proper cutting. Make a diagonal cut. With the cutting, remove the bottom leaves up 3-4 inches to expose the stalk. Place the stalk in a glass jar and fill with filtered water and watch the roots grow! Replace and freshen the water each week. After the roots are several months old, add to moistened potting soil and continue to water and give it the lighting requirements.