Dracaena marginata

Common Name:
Madagascar Dragon Tree

Description:
Dracaena marginata, commonly known as the Madagascar Dragon Tree, is a popular and stylish indoor plant celebrated for its striking, upright form and narrow, arching leaves edged in deep red or burgundy. Native to Madagascar, this slow-growing evergreen tree features woody stems and tufts of spiky foliage that give it a dramatic, sculptural look. In Melbourne, it is best suited for indoor growing or under cover outdoors in frost-free, well-sheltered spots. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light levels, making it exceptionally versatile for homes and offices. It prefers well-drained soil and only needs watering when the top few centimetres of soil dry out. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it's a go-to plant for beginners and seasoned indoor gardeners alike. While it rarely flowers in cultivation, its architectural foliage ensures year-round appeal.

Form:

• Shrub - Small

• Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

• Tree - Small (when mature and maintained as single-stemmed)

Mature Size:

• Height: 1.5–2.5 metres (indoors)

• Width: 60–90 cm

Aspect:

• Full Sun (if acclimatised)

• Part Shade

• Indoors / Well lit

Flowering:

• Does not flower under Melbourne's weather conditions

Flower Colour:

• Not applicable

Key Attributes:

• Suitable for Pots

• Disease Resistant

• Drought Tolerant

• Air-purifying qualities (indoors)

• Low Maintenance

• Suitable for Indoor Topiary (multi-head styling)

Toxicity:

• Toxic to pets (cats and dogs) if ingested; may cause vomiting, loss of appetite, and drooling

Companion Plants:

• Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant)

• Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant)

• Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant)

• Philodendron 'Imperial Red'

• Aglaonema varieties