Do an online search for “dragon tree” and you’ll be greeted by page after page of results referring to the Dracaena marginata, a popular houseplant. However, while it may not be quite as well-known, its cousin, the Dracaena draco, is well worth looking into as well if you’re searching for a new feature tree. Whether you plan on growing it as a houseplant or out in your garden, the Dracaena draco has a number of unique attributes that most gardeners fall in love with very quickly.
What is the Dracaena Draco?
The Dracaena draco is a sub-tropical tree that’s native to the Canary Islands and Western Morocco. In fact, it’s so revered in that part of the world that Tenerife has appointed the tree as its natural symbol for the island.
This is a tree that has its roots firmly planted in history – you’ll even find mentions of it in Greek mythology. Considering that it has the potential to live for hundreds of years (the oldest known Dracaena draco is in Tenerife and is believed to be around 1000 years old), this isn’t surprising – it’s a tree that several generations of your family will be able to enjoy.
What Growing Conditions Does the Dracaena Draco Need?
Being a sub-tropical tree, the Dracaena draco does require a certain amount of warmth. That said, it’s more cold-tolerant than other dragon tree varieties, which is why its popularity has been rapidly growing. It won’t suffer much during a light frost, but try to keep its minimum temperature around 5-10°C in order for the tree to truly thrive.
In terms of other growing conditions, the Dracaena draco isn’t picky. It’ll tolerate both sun and partial shade, as well as any soil type, so long as this is fairly loose and well-draining. It’ll hold up well to strong winds too, although do try to give it some shelter if you can.
How Easy is it to Look After a Dracaena Draco?
The Dracaena draco isn’t a demanding tree, making it the perfect choice for those who want to keep their garden as low-maintenance as possible. It won’t be burdened by pests or diseases, and it’ll cope with dry spells too – it’s a very drought-tolerant tree that only needs occasional watering. You won’t need to prune the tree either – it really does take care of itself.
The only maintenance involved would be if you’re growing your dragon tree in a pot. In this case, you’ll need to repot it every couple of years to prevent it from becoming root bound.
Summary
It’s easy to overlook lesser-known trees in favour of the more trendy varieties out there, but the Dracaena draco is one that you definitely don’t want to ignore. Stately and dramatic to look at while adaptable and low-maintenance to care for, this is a tree that is guaranteed to give your garden that extra special touch.