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If you have a Dracaena Marginata, you may wonder when to repot it. It’s important to know when to transplant your plant to continue growing healthy and strong, and repotting your Dracaena too frequently could stress it, slowing down its growth.
Dracaena Marginata usually needs to be repotted once every two years. You’ll know that it is time to repot your Dracaena if the plant’s growth slows, the roots protrude from the drainage holes, or the pot cracks.
Let’s discuss the signs that your Dracaena Marginata needs a new pot. I’ll tell you what you need to do before and after the transplant to keep your Dracaena healthy. Then, I’ll also teach you how to care for your plant in its new pot.
Signs That You Need To Repot Dracaena Marginata
The best way to know when it’s time to repot your Dracaena Marginata is to look out for the following signs:
- The plant has grown too large for its current pot.
- The roots are growing out of the pot or are visible from the top of the soil.
- The soil is dry and crumbly.
- The plant is not growing or has slowed down in growth.
- The leaves are starting to wilt due to not having enough nutrients.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to transplant your Dracaena Marginata. The plant is quite resilient, and it can handle a small pot for a little bit.
However, if your plant doesn’t have enough space, it will start to affect its growth and overall health.
It’s best to repot the plant as soon as you realize it’s struggling in the current size. You’ll usually need to repot your Dracaena Marginata once every two years.
The plant does grow to be very big and tall, but it takes several years before it reaches its maximum size.
Transplanting Your Dracaena Marginata
So, now you know that it’s critical to repot your Dracaena to encourage healthy growth, let’s go through the repotting process together!
What Do You Need To Repot Dracaena Marginata?
To repot your Dracaena Marginata, you will need the following supplies:
- A new pot with drainage holes that is 2 inches (5.08 cm) wider than the old one
- Potting soil
- A trowel (or you can use your hand)
- Distilled water
- A pot liner
- A mister
It’s essential to use a slightly larger pot than the old one, as the plant will continue to grow. Ensure that the pot has a drain hole so that excess water can escape and doesn’t stay in the pot, which could cause root rot.
You’ll also need some new potting soil to fill the new pot to within around 4 inches (10.16 cm) from the top. In the center of the container, create a hole using a trowel or your hand.
Now you’ve got your new pot prepared from transplanting, let’s look at how to handle transplanting Dracaena Marginata.
Will You Need To Prune Dracaena Marginata When Repotting It?
You will need to prune your Dracaena Marginata’s roots when repotting it. You can do this by using a sharp knife or scissors. Once you have trimmed off the tips of the longest, most gnarled roots, you can then transplant the plant into a new pot.
Be careful not to trim too many of the roots. You shouldn’t go beyond one-third.
If the leaves are getting too high, you can trim them back. However, don’t cut the leaves off entirely as they are essential for the plant’s growth.
How To Remove Dracaena Marginata From Its Old Pot
Before you can transplant your Dracaena, you’ll need to get it out of its old pot. You’ll need to be careful not to rip the roots when you pull the plant out, and you will also need to get rid of the depleted soil.
To remove your Dracaena Marginata from its old pot:
- Fill the existing pot with water and let it partially drain out. Soaking your Dracaena helps loosen up the soil, making it easier to remove the plant. Turn the container on its side and tap along it to help break up the dirt.
- Now you’ll need to remove the plant from its pot. To do this, grab the plant just above the soil level with one hand while holding the pot with the other. Gradually turn the plant as you’re pulling it out and shake off the dirt as it comes out.
- Once you have the entire plant out, you’ll need to clean off the roots to remove any lingering dirt. I like to use a soft paintbrush to dust off the soil gently. You should also take care to straighten up any roots which might be tangled, growing in circles, or facing the wrong way.
How To Add Dracaena Marginata to a New Pot
Now it’s time to add the plant to the new pot.
- Add the plant to the center hole you created in the new pot with the potting soil. Fill in around the plant with more soil, ensuring that the roots are well covered. You’ll need to leave around four inches between the top of the dirt and the pot’s rim.
- Press down on the soil on top. Now, add water to the pot and allow it to drain out. You can use a pot liner to catch any draining water at this point. Return the plant to a spot with bright, indirect sunlight (or artificial light).
Since transplanting can be stressful for a plant, you should mist the trunk and leaves to help it recover.
What Happens if You Don’t Repot Dracaena Marginata?
If you don’t repot Dracaena Marginata, the plant may experience stunted growth, root rot, or other issues. The roots won’t have enough room to grow, and the plant will become stunted. The leaves may also begin to yellow and drop off. In extreme cases, the plant may die.
You have some wiggle room because the plant can tolerate stressful situations. However, it will not be able to survive in a pot that’s too small forever, so the sooner you can tend to it, the better.
It’s essential to transplant your Dracaena Marginata every two years to keep it healthy and allow it to continue growing. When repotting it, make sure you follow the steps outlined in this article to adequately take care of your plant.
What Time of Year Should You Repot Dracaena Marginata?
The best time to repot Dracaena Marginata is in the spring. Spring is the time of year when the plant is beginning to grow actively. That means that it will be able to recover from the transplanting process more quickly.
If the plant is already budding or blooming, you should avoid transplanting it at this time. The plant will be able to survive in the smaller pot during this period, and once the blooming is over, you can transplant the plant then.
Dracaena Marginata Care Tips
Here are some tips for taking care of your Dracaena Marginata:
- Water regularly, but don’t overwater. Overwatering can lead to root rot. You can tell if your plant needs water by touching the soil on top. If it is dry to the touch, you should water it until it is barely moist.
- If your area adds fluoride to your tap water, you should avoid using it. Fluoride is harmful to Dracaena Marginata and can lead to the leaves turning yellow before falling off.
- Provide your plant with plenty of light (either natural or artificial). Dracaena Marginata needs around six hours of sunlight each day. However, you should not place it in direct sunlight, so stick to indirect light sources.
- Even though you do not need to repot this plant very frequently, you should change the top dressing more often. Replacing the topsoil layer helps keep the soil’s nutrient content up, which the plant will love.
FAQs
Can Dracaena Marginata Live Outside?
Dracaena Marginata can live outside if you live in a warm climate. You should not keep them outdoors in cold temperatures since the plant cannot tolerate the cold.
Warm temperatures are acceptable for this plant, but you should plant them in an area with some shade. They should not take on the full heat of the sun.
Is Dracaena Marginata Poisonous to Humans?
Dracaena Marginata is not poisonous to humans. So, if you have children around, they will be safe around this plant. However, it is essential to keep this plant away from pets as it can be poisonous to them.
Why Are My Dracaena Marginata Leaves Turning Yellow?
Your Dracaena Marginata leaves may be turning yellow due to overwatering, fluoride in the water, or a lack of light. You should be able to fix the problem by adjusting your watering habits or moving the plant to a brighter spot.
Does Dracaena Marginata Clean Air?
Dracaena Marginatacleans air. This plant can help remove toxins such as xylene and formaldehyde from the air. So, this is a great plant to have in your home if you are looking for ways to improve the air quality.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance houseplant, Dracaena Marginata is an excellent option. These plants are easy to care for and only need to be repotted every few years.
When you repot them, make sure to follow the steps in this article to correctly take care of your plant. With a little bit of TLC, your Dracaena Marginata will thrive and be a beautiful addition to your home.