Dragon's Blood Tree.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Succulent tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 14 to 30 days

Mature size

10 meters

Growth rate

slow

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Care

Provide plenty of bright, direct sunlight and ensure the soil remains very well draining to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves as a sign of overwatering or poor drainage. It prefers warm temperatures and low humidity, mimicking its native desert habitat.

Watering

Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Feeding

Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer only during the active growing season.

Pruning

Pruning is rarely needed, but you can remove dead or damaged branches in late winter.

Repotting

Repot only when the root system has clearly outgrown the current container.

Soil

Sandy, rocky, well draining

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Temperature

10 to 35°C

Humidity

10 to 40%

Drought tolerance

high

Lifespan

Perennial, can live for several hundred years.

Deer and rabbits

high

Safety

People

The sap is generally considered mildly toxic if ingested or if it comes into contact with sensitive skin.

Pets

This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Children

Keep this plant away from small children as the leaves are sharp and the resin can be irritating.

Contact allergens

The resin may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this species.

Edibility

This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause significant gastrointestinal distress if ingested.

How to identify it

• Umbrella shaped canopy of branches
• Stiff, sword shaped evergreen leaves
• Dense clusters of terminal foliage
• Dark red resinous sap
• Thick, succulent like trunk

Height

6 to 10m

Spread

5 to 8m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

white, greenish, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

orange, red, Summer

Common problems

• Root rot — This occurs when the soil remains too wet for too long.
• Scale insects — These small pests attach to stems and suck plant juices.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring

Overwintering

Keep the plant in a bright, warm location and reduce watering significantly during the winter months.

In containers

It grows well in containers if you use a very porous, fast draining succulent mix and a pot with large drainage holes.

Group plants with similar water needs to avoid overwatering your dragon tree.

Grows well with

• Aloe — These share similar requirements for bright light and low water.
• Euphorbia — They thrive in the same arid, well drained soil conditions.

Keep away from

• Ferns — Ferns require high humidity that will cause this tree to rot.

Similar species

• Dragon Tree — It has a similar growth habit but is much more common in cultivation.

Science

Family

Asparagaceae

Genus

Dracaena

Order

Asparagales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Socotra archipelago, Yemen.

Conservation

This species is listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss and climate change in its native Socotra.

It survives in high altitude mist forests by capturing moisture from clouds through its dense canopy.

Uses

ornamental specimen, historical resin source

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this easy to grow indoors?

It is quite challenging because it requires very specific light and drainage conditions.

How often should I water it?

Water sparingly, only when the soil has completely dried out.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Dracaena comes from the Greek word for female dragon, while cinnabari refers to the red color of its resin.

Good to know

• The red resin is known as dragon's blood.
• It is a monocot that can grow to be hundreds of years old.
• The tree is endemic to the Socotra archipelago in Yemen.
• Its growth pattern is described as secondary thickening growth.