With over 100 different species in the Dracaena family, there’s lots to choose from when you want to grow this low-maintenance evergreen tropical. They’re a perfect plant for pots both indoors and outside.
A potted dracaena can last for many years when given the right growing conditions. Grown primarily for its long-lasting foliage, outdoor plants may bloom in spring, but potted dracaena plants grown indoors rarely if ever flower.
How to Care for Potted Dracaena?
- Set your potted dracaena in a spot with bright, indirect light. Morning and late afternoon sun are ideal, but full midday sun may damage the leaves.
- Dracaena will grow best between 70 to 80°F (20 to 27°C). Do not expose them to temperatures below 50°F (10°C) for an extended length of time. Indoors, keep them out of drafts.
- Water when the top half of the soil has dried out, and do not let the pot sit in water. Use distilled or rain water, as the chemicals in treated tap water can damage the plants.
- In spring and summer, feed the plants with a liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Do not use any fertilizer in the fall and winter when they become dormant. Always apply the fertilizer just after you’ve watered the plant to ensure even distribution and maximum absorption.
- Clean the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove any dust or grime.
Can Dracaena Survive the Winter in Pots?
Unless you live in a region that rarely experiences freezing temperatures, dracaena will not survive the winter outdoors, whether in pots or planted in the ground.
If you want to grow dracaena outdoors in pots, move them outside in late spring, and back indoors in early to mid-fall. Meanwhile, you will have houseplants to brighten up those cold winter days!
Potted Dracaena Temperature Tolerance?
Dracaenas are native to the tropics and sub-tropics, so it’s hardly surprising that they do not tolerate cold weather at all. Anything below 50°F (10°C) will damage the plants, and freezing temperatures will kill them outright. They grow best in the 70 to 80°F (20 to 27°C) range.
Do Potted Dracaena Come Back Each Year?
When protected from cold winter weather, potted dracaena will continue to grow for many years. Because they are perennial evergreens, their foliage will remain green and attractive all year, making them ideal houseplants.
When Should You Plant Dracaena in a Pot?
The best time to repot a dracaena is in early spring, just before it starts its active growing phase after winter dormancy.
You may only have to repot your dracaena every 2 or 3 years, only when their roots start to fill the entire pot and are growing out of the drainage holes.
Increase the pot size by 2 inches (5cm), and select a container with drainage holes. Use a loose, well-draining soil amended with some organic matter such as well-rotted compost.
How Long Do Potted Dracaena Take to Grow?
Potted dracaena have a slow growth rate, and may take up to 10 years to grow to its full size, depending on the species.
However, small plants are certainly just as attractive as older ones, and can be used as fillers in container gardens. Taller, more mature specimens can take centre stage as the thrillers in a container planting.
Do not buy a potted dracaena in the expectation of flowers, as it can take 10 years until it blooms, and probably not on a plant grown in a container. It’s likely to only flower when grown in the ground in a tropical climate.
How Long Will Potted Dracaena Last Inside?
If you are growing a potted dracaena as a houseplant, you can expect it to last for many years. In fact, it can be hard to kill a dracaena, making them an ideal plant for beginner gardeners!
As well, since it is an evergreen perennial, it will hold its leaves all year, making it a reliable foliage plant for your indoor garden.
Final Thoughts
No matter what your level of gardening expertise is, growing dracaena plants in pots is almost fool proof. As long as you provide these tender perennials with warm temperatures, moderate amounts of water, and bright, indirect light, they should continue to grow and thrive for many years to come!
See how long other potted plants last:
- How Long Do Potted Zinnias Last?
- How Long Do Potted Coleus Last?
- How Long Do Potted Tulips Last?
- How Long Do Potted Hibiscus Last?
- How Long Do Potted Marigolds Last?
- How Long Do Potted Petunias Last?
- How Long Do Potted Tomato Plants Last?
- How Long Do Potted Hyacinths Last?
Janice is a retired High School teacher who is spending her leisure years keeping busy with all sorts of projects. Aside from freelance writing, she’s an enthusiastic amateur chef, home wine maker, and tends a large raised-bed vegetable garden, while at the same time running a Bed & Breakfast.