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Everything you need to know about watering Dracaena Marginata indoors
Dracaena Marginata is a popular addition to any home or office. Its lively foliage illuminates a room while improving air quality. Dracaena Marginata is not a high maintenance indoor plant, but owners need to water it properly. Thankfully, it does not take an expert gardener to meet the needs of the beautiful plant.
When and how to water Dracaena Marginata plants – the essentials
Dracaena Marginata plants usually require watering every 5 to 7 days in spring and summer and every 7 to 14 days during the winter months. These tropical plants do not tolerate overwatered and saturated soil bases. Water when the top 3 or 4 inches of topsoil is dry to the touch and use distilled or filtered water if possible.
About Dracaena Marginata
Dracaena Marginata is from Madagascar. They are part of the genus Dracaena and are part of the family Asparagaceae, with its most famous members such as garden asparagus and agave.
Due to its origin, Dracaena Marginata prefers warm conditions and well-draining soil. Thus, it is only suitable to grow indoors in areas where the temperature drops below 65 F (18.3 C).
The role of water in plant health and development
Water is essential for healthy plant growth because it puts pressure on the individual cells. When a plant has a low water content, it withers and falls down visibly. The cells shrink and simply cannot hold the stems and leaves at normal pressure.
Water also transports nutrients from the soil into the plant, helping it to create amino acids that it cannot do from photosynthesis alone.
When to water Dracaena Marginata
For optimal plant health from Dracaena Marginata, allow the soil base to dry out slightly between each watering cycle. These plants are susceptible to too moist or saturated soil, which can lead to stunted growth and potentially attract pests, insects and diseases.
How do you know when a Dracaena Marginata needs watering?
Dracaena Marginata plants need to dry out slightly between watering cycles. Touch the top two inches of soil with your fingers and wait until they begin to dry out but are not stiff or fluffy yet.
Do not wait until the plant withers, sinks or begins to lose color, otherwise it may take weeks to recover.
How to control when watering a Dracaena Marginata
Finger tested will tell you when the top two or three inches are dry but not yet completely dry. This is important to know when to add more water.
Humidity meter can work well, but you still need to find out which dimensions correspond to the plant’s needs based on even touching the ground.
Weight testing the plant is less efficient because Calathea remains moist enough not to change weight much during drying.
Environmental considerations that may affect the irrigation cycles
Dracaena Marginata can tolerate some dry air from heaters or windows, but they may need less watering than usual if placed in a humid room.
Well-draining soil for cacti or orchids can lead to the need for more regular watering as it dries out faster than moisturizing mixtures.
Seasonal considerations that may affect the watering cycles
These potted plants need much less water in the winter, they usually only need water every 10 to 14 days or more.
In the summer, you may need to water every week if the weather is dry in your home, either due to heat or air conditioning.
How to water Dracaena Marginata plants
How you water a Dracaena Marginata and what you use for the process matters just as much as how often you do it.
The basic importance of good drainage
Dracaena Marginata needs good drainage, so that the roots do not rot due to standing water.
Their roots grow into deciduous and loose bark that is dropped by mature jungle trees in the natural environment. This material drains well, so mimic the texture of the pot mix for good results. Organic material is needed to act as a sponge and hold water.
What type of water is best for Dracaena Marginata
Dracaena Marginata is very sensitive to fluoride in particular. It is well noted in commercial cultivation guides that these plants need filtered or distilled water to prevent dead spots on the leaves.
If you notice dead spots, change the water you use. Leaving tap water standing can reduce fluoride, but these plants are too sensitive to that trick. Rainwater can work well.
Irrigation technician
You water your plants with watering techniques from the bottom up or from the top.
Top-down watering
If watering from top to bottom, it is by far the simplest and less messy method. Pour in the water around the bottom of the stems and keep splashes from the foliage. Soak the whole soil by moving the pot around evenly.
Bottom watering
Bottom watering is as simple as placing the pot in a bucket or container that is larger than it. Fill the container with water until it reaches 3/4 of the height of the pot. Let the plant soak for a short while until the top of the soil is moist to the touch, then let it drain in a sink or bathtub until it stops dripping.
How much water to add
Smaller Dracaena Marginata plants need only 8 ounces or so to saturate their soil.
Large plants are likely to need closer to a liter or more to fully satisfy them.
What to do with runoff water
If the plant is in a barrel or tray, be sure to pour off the drain after watering. Dracaena plants are very sensitive to sitting in excess water.
Signs that you may be overwatering your Dracaena Marginata
Falling, yellowing leaves, stunted or slow growth and a soft trunk or branches are all common signs that you can overwater your Dracaena Marginata.
If you see signs of overwatering, allow the plant to dry out thoroughly. You can continue to mist its leaves, but the soil must be completely dry before watering it again.
Signs that you can underwater your Dracaena Marginata
Crisp leaves, withering, drooping leaves, wells in the tips of the leaves or slow growth are all common signs that your Dracaena Marginata is underwater.
Dracaena Marginata is a drought-resistant plant and does not mind the soil becoming completely dry. But they need to be watered at least every two weeks, sometimes more.
Make sure you provide your Dracaena Marginata with appropriate light exposure and ambient temperature as both can accelerate moisture loss.
Frequently asked questions about watering Dracaena Marginata:
Should I mist a dracaena marginata plant between waterings?
Dracaena Marginate will benefit from a light mist with a few days to a week. Use a basic mister and, if possible, use distilled or rainwater to avoid brown spots on the leaves.
What are the most common signs that Dracaena Marginata needs watering?
Crisp leaves, withering, drooping leaves, wells in the tips of the leaves or slow growth are all common signs that your Dracaena Marginata is underwater.
What is the best way to water Dracaena Marginata?
The best way to water Dracaena Marginata is from the top until the water flows freely from the bottom. Be sure to empty its tray as it cannot sit in water.
How much water does Dracaena Marginata need?
Dracaena Marginata should be watered until the water flows easily from the bottom of the pot, then it is allowed to drain.
Is it ok to get water on Dracaena Marginata leaves?
A little water on the foliage is good, but wipe off any soaked leaves to reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
What do I do if I overwater my Dracaena Marginata?
If the plant can not dry out just by skipping a few watering cycles, try replanting your Dracaena Marginata with a better drainage mixture if the soil remains saturated or slowly drying.
Can I water my Dracaena Marginata with tap water?
Dracaena Marginata can be sensitive to high levels of fluoride in tap water, so it is often best to use distilled, filtered or rainwater if possible.
Ends
Dracaena Marginata plants have a moist environment but do not want the soil to be moist all the time. Balance the moisture and the watering cycle to ensure that the plant gets enough water without drowning in its own soil.
