How to Water Dracaena Plants

I want I had a greenback for each time somebody informed me they have been swearing off Dracaena crops as a result of they maintain dying.

I’d be capable to afford much more houseplants!

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Invariably, these poor souls battling their dragon bushes and mother-in-law’s tongues are seeing their crops struggling, so that they add extra water.

However I’ve obtained dangerous information for you – 9 instances out of 10, the plant is struggling as a result of it’s already too moist.

Dracaena species prefer it dry. They don’t need all that water.

There’s even an indication hanging in my favourite plant store that reads: “I don’t know who wants to listen to this, however you’re overwatering your snake plant.”

So, yeah. Determining the watering scenario if you’re rising dracaena is a problem, however it’s one you’re going to need to sort out if you need them to thrive.

That’s what we’re going that can assist you work out on this information. Right here’s all the things we’ll go over:

Dracaena species are the kind of crops the place much less is extra on the subject of irrigation. You should take a hands-off method to maintain them completely satisfied.

If you happen to want a refresher on easy methods to develop these houseplants, take a look at our information.

Able to do much less to be able to accomplish extra? Then right here we go.

How A lot Water Do Dracaena Vegetation Want?

Let’s simply get this out of the way in which, first: How a lot water do these crops really need?

Not very a lot!

The potting medium ought to be about three-quarters dry earlier than you water it once more. If you happen to have been to stay your pointer finger into the soil, it ought to be dry to the second knuckle.

Having mentioned all that, they do want average humidity, which isn’t the identical factor as moist soil.

No matter you are able to do to boost the humidity within the space will assist, assuming you reside someplace comparatively dry – and for many of us, indoor circumstances are much more dry within the winter when the warmth is working.

Some indoor gardeners use trays full of pebbles and water, others group crops to boost the collective humidity, and plenty of go for electrical humidifiers.

You’ll be able to develop crops in a glass cupboard or maintain them within the rest room. Or attempt a mix of those techniques.

Intention for an ambient humidity degree round 50 p.c.

When to Water

You’ll be able to’t depend on the calendar that can assist you work out when to water. You would possibly hear recommendation like “water as soon as every week” or each month on the complete moon, or no matter. Don’t hearken to this.

Essentially the most dependable methods to find out when to water are to use a soil moisture meter or stick your finger within the soil.

Some folks be taught to inform when irrigation is required by lifting the pot and feeling how a lot lighter it feels in comparison with when it’s filled with moisture, and that works too, however somewhat extra expertise and familiarity together with your crops is normally required.

No matter methodology you select, it must be one that permits you to see what is going on in that second with the soil.

Possibly the sunshine publicity or humidity has modified in your house, or the roots have expanded into the soil so it’s holding much less moisture. These are frequent occurrences! Otherwise you won’t understand {that a} drainage gap has turn into clogged up and the moisture is trapped.

It doesn’t matter what, you must test the soil.

I’m telling you, when you get within the behavior, it takes no further time in any respect, and your crops will likely be significantly better off.

Watering Ideas

The method of watering sounds easy. Fill the watering can. Pour it on the soil. Voila!

Whereas that works, there’s somewhat extra to it than that.

First, the kind of water you select issues. Dracaena crops are delicate to fluoride salts, so use distilled, purified, or rainwater.

Pour the water onto the soil and let it soak in for a bit. Then, apply somewhat extra. Water till you see some popping out of the drainage holes.

Come again and empty the catchment container after about half-hour. You don’t wish to go away your crops sitting in standing water. On that be aware…

Methods to Inform If You’re Overwatering

The obvious signal of overwatering, apart from soil that smells moldy and is constantly moist, are brown leaves and leaf ideas. If you happen to discover these forming in your plant, test the soil moisture degree.

If you happen to maintain overwatering, finally the roots will begin to rot. The rot could lengthen up into the stem, which can look delicate and darkish brown.

Uhoh. What subsequent?

What to Do If You Overwater

If you happen to overwater only one time, it’s not a giant deal.

Your catchment container will in all probability overfill and also you’ll spill some water throughout your furnishings, and also you’ll need to run frantically to seize a towel and attempt to salvage the scenario. Not that I’ve ever achieved that or something…

If this occurs, maintain emptying the catchment container till it stops filling up. You would possibly want to return again each half-hour or so for a number of hours whereas the surplus continues to empty.

If you happen to’re overwatering a bit extra commonly, nonetheless, you’re going to wish to perform a little further work to assist your plant get better. If you overwater, it drowns the roots and invitations pathogens.

To repair it, pull the plant out of the container and dump the soil. Brush or wash any extra soil from the roots.

Wipe the pot out with soapy water after which fill it with recent soil. If a scarcity of drainage can also be a difficulty right here, swap it for a unique pot!

Spray the uncovered roots with copper fungicide and replant in recent soil.

Copper fungicide kills a broad vary of pathogens and, when you don’t overuse it, it isn’t dangerous to the plant. I maintain it round on a regular basis as a result of it’s so useful for addressing so many issues.

Liquid Copper Fungicide

If you happen to don’t have already got some, decide a bottle up at Arbico Organics.

They carry a variety of sizes, together with 32-ounce ready-to-use containers from Bonide.

Trim off any leaves which have died and slice off any ends which have turned brown. We have now a information that may present some further help ought to your plant find yourself with black stems.

I Don’t Know Who Wants To Hear This, However You’re Overwatering Your Dracaena

Okay, not everybody overwaters their dracaena. I think about. I’m certain there are folks on the market who’re underwatering…

However now, you’re neither of these! You’re somebody who is aware of precisely how a lot water your crops want and when to water them.

So fess up. Had been you watering an excessive amount of? In that case, don’t really feel dangerous. It’s extraordinarily frequent. Share your experiences with us within the feedback – I feel you’ll discover you’re not alone.

Did this information assist you determine easy methods to be the most effective at watering your snake plant or dragon tree?

Superior! We have now a number of different articles on Dracaena that may allow you to discover much more success with these crops! Take a look at the next: