Dracaenas may not get the same kind of fanatical attention as trendier houseplants, but these underrated beauties have a lot going for them. Dracaenas aren’t picky about their conditions, and with over 40 varieties in cultivation, you have a lot of choices in size, shape, and appearance. But even though they’re relatively simple to care for, sometimes it seems like they don’t grow at all.
No matter the species, Dracaenas are slow growers, and it is typical for them to go months without any noticeable growth. To encourage your Dragon Tree to grow more quickly, provide it with lots of bright indirect sunlight, water sparingly, and avoid making sudden changes to its environments. Though less likely, a lack of nutrients could also result in slow growth from your Dracaena.
If you are concerned about how quickly your Dracaena is (or isn’t) growing, first check out the section below that gives some details about what to expect from a healthy Dracaena. After that, I’ve listed the most common reasons for slow Dracaena growth and some solutions to speed it up.
What to Expect from Healthy Dracaenas
Before you decide you’ve got a problem, it is a good idea to identify what variety of Dracaena you have. Some varieties are intended to stay compact and bushy, while others can reach towering heights up to 10 feet. Before diagnosing a slow-growing Dragon Tree, check into the maximum size for the particular species you have at home.
Dracaenas are slow growers, so be sure your expectations are reasonable. If you are looking for a large specimen that makes a statement, it is best to buy one that is already full-sized. Luckily, even large Dracaenas are often cheaper than other big houseplants.
You should note that as tropical plants, Dracaena species do not have a true period of dormancy. However, their growth is likely to be slower when temperatures drop and less sunlight is available. Reduced growth in winter is natural and not a cause for concern.
It is hard to say exactly what you should expect from your Dracanea’s growth because there are so many varieties. Their rate of growth will also vary depending on the time of year and the conditions in your home. But it is safe to say that, in most cases, Dracaena growth is so slow it is almost unnoticeable.
Why Your Dracaena May Not Be Growing
Dracaena growth can be affected by many different factors. But below, we’ve outlined the four most common reasons your plant might be growing slowly. Read through the list and try our suggestions for encouraging your Dragon Tree to produce new healthy growth.
Reason #1: Insufficient Sunlight
Like all living things, Dracaenas need energy to grow, and since sunlight is a critical factor in photosynthesis, a lack of sun is the most likely explanation for slow growth. Dracaenas can tolerate medium to low-light conditions, but they will grow much more quickly if they’re given plenty of bright, indirect light.
To speed up your Dragon Tree’s growth, move it to a sunnier location. Just be sure to make the move gradually and keep it out of direct sun to avoid burning the leaves. If you have a covered or shady location outdoors, you can move your Dracaena there during the summer months as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below 55 degrees.
Indoors, south and west-facing windows get the most sun, so a location nearby one of those would be great for a slow-growing Dracaena. But don’t put your tree up against the window where it can be damaged by cold drafts, or the heat of direct sunlight. Instead, pull it back into the room a few feet. That way, it can get lots and lots of bright indirect light.
Don’t have a sunny enough spot? You can always supplement with a grow light to encourage growth. Simply set up a grow light (we like this one from Sansi), adjust it so it is 18-24″ away from the plant, and schedule it to automatically flip off after about 10 hours of light each day with an outlet timer. Want to read more about grow lights and houseplants? Click here.
Reason #2: Overwatering
Indoor Dracaenas prefer to be kept on the dry side. So when it comes to Dragon Trees, always err on the side of too little water instead of too much (especially for species with thick trunks such as Dracaena marginata). Their trunks store moisture, so you may not realize your Dracaena is getting too much water until it’s a significant problem.
Dracaenas don’t typically show the symptoms of overwatering right away like other plants do. It can take a week or more to start seeing foliage turning yellow or dropping off. That’s why it is extra important to avoid overwatering. Here at the Healthy Houseplant, we believe that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
To ensure you don’t overwater your houseplant, only add more water when the top two inches of soil have dried out. To test this, simply poke your finger down into the dirt and feel for moisture. If the top two inches are dry, now is the time to add more water. If not, wait a few days and then check again.
Don’t want to stick your fingers down into the soil to check for moisture? Buy a
Reason #3: Shock
Whenever you make a change to your plant’s environment, your Dracaena may experience shock. If this happens, the plant will devote all of its resources to recovering its health and won’t have energy left to produce new growth. Be careful when making adjustments to or moving your Dracaena. Too much change can really stress it out.
Temperature extremes, either too hot or too cold, can also cause shock in houseplants. This could be due to the temperature of the air surrounding your Dracaena or hot or cold drafts. Watering with cold water could also shock your plant.
Moving the plant to a new location with different environmental conditions can also cause this issue. For example, the sudden introduction of much more sunlight or the change from repotting the plant into new potting soil can result in shock.
Whatever the cause, shock in plants usually causes their leaves to go droopy and growth to stop. If possible, try to return the plant to its original conditions and introduce the changes more gradually. However, you may not always have this option (such as when you’re repotting). If that’s the case, keep an eye on your Dracaena but expect that it should recover from shock within 2 to 3 weeks.
Reason #4: Lack of Nutrients
Dracaenas are known to be heavy feeders. They can generally stay in the same container (and soil) for several years without any issues. But over time, like all houseplants, Dracaenas will eventually use up all the nutrients available to them in their soil.
If you suspect lack of nutrients is causing your Dracaena not to grow, the best way to provide it with the proper nutrition is by updating the potting soil. You can repot the plant in fresh potting mix or try topdressing it.
Topdressing simply means removing the top layer of soil from the pot and replacing it with new compost and/or potting soil. If you don’t want to change the container, topdressing is a great way to provide nutrients to your Dracaena. It’s also especially good for large or unwieldy Dracaena plants that are hard to repot.
I don’t recommend using chemical fertilizers for Dracaenas because these plants are particularly sensitive to salts. When it comes to Dragon Trees, it works best to give the plant organic matter as a fertilizer instead.
Putting It All Together
If your Dracaena is exposed to the correct conditions, you can expect slow but steady development. The key to getting your Dracaena to grow is giving it the amount of light and not overwatering it.
It is said that Dracaenas thrive on neglect, and in my experience, that is true. The less I “care” for mine, the better they seem to do. The slow-growing nature of a Dragon Tree is the tradeoff for the low maintenance attitude of this attractive plant that can handle a variety of conditions.