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Dracaena Marginata, or the dragon tree, is a common house plant. While Dracaena Marginata is a great and relatively easy-to-keep plant, it can still be daunting when their progress halts. So, why does stunted Dracaena growth happen, and can you prevent it?
Your Dracaena Marginata is not growing because it likely is not receiving adequate sunlight. A lack of nutrients or too much water can cause a dragon tree to stop growing. On top of this, changes in the plant’s environment may cause it to go into shock and slow growth rate.
So, let’s learn more about why your Dracaena Marginata is not growing as it should. I will explore the most common causes of stunted Dracaena growth and teach you how you can prevent it from happening in the future. I will also explore ways to bring your Dracaena Marginata back to total health.
What Causes Dracaena Marginata To Stop Growing?
To get your dragon tree back to health, you will first need to find the root of your issue. Dracaena Marginata stops growing when you don’t provide it with enough nutrients or too many. So, what are the most likely causes of halted growth in your Dracaena Marginata?
Here’s what causes Dracaena Marginata to stop growing:
- Your Dracaena Marginata has insufficient sunlight.
- Your Dracaena Marginata does not have enough nutrients.
- You have overwatered your Dracaena Marginata.
- Your Dracaena Marginata is in shock.
See below for an in-depth look into the points mentioned above:
Your Dracaena Marginata Has Insufficient Sunlight
Dracaena Marginata, just like any other plant, relies on sunlight to grow and live. While this plant does not require high amounts of direct sunlight, insufficient sunlight will stunt its growth.
A Dracaena needs bright, indirect sunlight to simulate its natural habitat in the underbrush of tropical rainforests.
If you believe this to be the case with your Dracaena Marginata, move the plant into a brighter location with more sunlight.
Your Dracaena Marginata Does Not Have Enough Nutrients
Nutrients like nitrogen and fertilizers are crucial for a Dracaena to thrive. If your Dracaena Marginata dies not receive sufficient nutrients, it will stunt its growth.
Therefore, your plant must be in a large enough pot with appropriate soil packed with vital nutrients, especially nitrogen from compost or other fertilizers.
You Have Overwatered Your Dracaena Marginata
Plants require water to grow and develop. However, too much of a good thing can be harmful.
Overwatering is a common issue with Dracaena Marginata since it doesn’t need that much water to survive. The trunks of these plants store water, so supplying too much water may lead to water build-up on the surface or around the roots. Standing water leaves the plant at risk of rot.
Your Dracaena Marginata is In Shock
Believe it or not, plants can enter into shock when there are sudden changes to their environment. Dracaenas are especially susceptible to shock, so it’s important not to move it too quickly and ease it into any changes.
So, if you recently moved your plant from one pot to a larger one, or if you moved the plant around your property, it may become stressed. If your dragon tree becomes stressed, it will enter a state of shock and slow or even stop growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dracaena Marginata a Slow Growing Plant?
Different plants require specific conditions for ideal growth and development. Some plants like cacti can go for years without water, while other plants live their entire lives in water.
It’s similar to the rate of plant growth. So, is Dracaena Marginata a fast or slow-growing plant?
Dracaena Marginata is a slow-growing plant. These indoor houseplants reach a maximum height of 6 feet. However, it may take the plant over a decade to get this height. As a result, Dracaena Marginata is considered a slow-growing plant.
One of the reasons for the dragon tree’s popularity as an indoor plant is its slow-growing nature and small stature.
As a result of the quiet increasing nature of Dracaena Marginata, the plant does not need high levels of sunlight to thrive. Slow-growing plants also require fewer nutrients in the soil than faster-growing plants.
Slow-growing plants like the dragon tree also require less water since they use it slower and hold it tightly within the roots. Therefore, this plant species is a low-maintenance plant, ideal for growing indoors.
How Do You Make Dracaena Marginata Grow Faster?
Growing Dracaena Marginata is a fantastic way of enhancing your home’s air quality and atmosphere.
However, many people do not know what to do when their dragon tree is not growing as quickly as it should. So what can you do to make this plant grow faster?
Here’s how you can make Dracaena Marginata grow faster:
- Move the plant into a bright space.
- Clean the leaves and stems.
- Add fertilizers to the soil.
- Water your Dracaena correctly.
- Protect your Dracaena against infestations.
See below for a breakdown of the points mentioned above.
Move the Plant Into a Bright Space
The most likely source of hampered growth in your Dracaena Marginata is a lack of sunlight. This plant does not require a lot of light. However, the plant massively benefits from plenty of indirect sunlight.
Therefore, it’s best to move your plant into a bright room to speed up the growth. Just ensure that the sun’s rays don’t directly hit the plant. The best location is usually near a window against the wall.
Clean the Leaves and Stems
Dracaena Marginata is vulnerable to harmful bacterial and fungal growth. These harmful organisms can form quickly and spread, causing the plant to become ill and rot. You can prevent this from happening by keeping the dragon tree clean. To do this, clean the leaves and stems with a damp cloth to remove any build-up of dirt or bacteria.
Add Fertilizers to the Soil
Fertilizers are packed full of crucial nutrients vital in your plant’s healthy development. You can find fertilizers designed explicitly for this plant species, or you can choose to invest in a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. Compost is also an ideal fertilizer for the Dracaena since it needs plenty of nitrogen to thrive.
Water Your Dracaena Correctly
Striking the right balance when watering your Dracaena Marginata can be challenging. This species only needs water about once every 1 to 2 weeks. If you water your Dracaena Marginata more often than this, it will likely rot. So, keep your Dracaena’s soil moist, but never let it become boggy or muddy.
Protect the Plant Against Infestations
Infestations can quickly take hold of a plant and cause devastating harm. To protect your plant against infestations, find a pesticide that you can safely use indoors in your home. These safe pesticides will keep unwanted visitors away from your plants, allowing them to grow and flourish healthily, unhindered by pests or parasites.
Following the tips above will help your Dracaena Marginata to proliferate without issues. Like most plants, plenty of sunlight, correct amounts of watering, and the proper nutrients are all required for fast growth.
How Do You Bring a Dracaena Marginata Back to Life?
If your Dracaena Marginata is not growing well and has become discolored with yellows and browns, you may believe that the plant is beyond help. However, this is rarely the case. You can use several techniques to bring your Dracaena Marginata back to life.
Here’s how to bring a Dracaena Marginata back to life:
- Remove the plant from its pot.
- Cut roots and any soggy plant parts.
- Create a potting mix for the plant in a new container.
- Place the Dracaena Marginata into the new pot and cover it with soil.
Following these steps give your dying plant the best chance of survival. Ensure that you use the correct potting soil to ensure that the plant has access to the proper nutrients and sufficient access to light for healthy growth.
Alternatively, you can try to propagate a new plant from your existing Dracaena Marginata. To do this, remove a trimming of the stem or leaves. Then, place it in a container until roots start to shoot from the cuttings. Once at least one long root has appeared, place the plant into a potting mix. Once planted, water occasionally, and a new plant will develop.
Propagation of the plant is not technically bringing the plant back to life. Instead, you are creating new life by cloning the dying plant. This process is a fantastic way to keep your Dracaena Marginata alive with minimal effort or fuss.
Final Thoughts
Dracaena Marginata is also known as the dragon tree. This plant is native to Madagascar and makes a fantastic indoor houseplant. However, this plant grows slowly and will experience stunted growth if you don’t care for it correctly.
The following are the most common causes of slow growth in Dracaena Marginata:
- Lack of sun.
- Too much water.
- Not enough nutrients.
- The plant is stressed.
You can help your plant recover by moving it to a space full of indirect sunlight. Adding fertilizers and reducing how often you water may also help to speed up growth in the Dracaena Marginata.