Dracaena marginata

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Plant
ID 616 Dracaena marginata
Botanic Name Dracaena marginata
Common Name Rainbow Plant, Red Edged Dracaena,
Family Name Agavaceae
Cultivars syn. Dracaena gracilis, 'Tricolor'
Origin Madagascar, Zone 10-12
Growth Type Perennial
Bark Type Woody
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 40
Growth Habit Clumping Growth Rate Medium
Height 2 - 6 m (7 - 20 ft) Spread 1 m (3 ft)
Plant Overview
This clumping shrub-like perennial has multiple cane-like stems and branches that form a bushy habit. It has terminal dark green sword-shaped leaves with red margins and the tiny creamy white flowers appear in a cluster during early summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Linear
The strap-like linear leaves are up to 600 mm (2 ft) long by 24 mm (1 in) wide with red-purplish margins. The apex is long acuminate and the leaves are arranged spirally or alternately towards the top of the stem.
Arrangement Spiral
Margin Entire
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 250 - 600 mm ( 9.8 - 23.6 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Stellate
The small 20 mm (¾ in) wide flowers are arranged in a terminal panicle that is up to 500 mm (20 in) wide and appears during summer. The flowers are not commonly seen on cultivated plants.
Inflorescence Panicle
Colour Creamy white
Size 10 - 20 mm ( 0.4 - 0.8 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Berry Additional Information
Colour Yellow
The small yellow-orange berry contains seeds that have a fleshy endosperm. The small seeds are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, moist, organic rich, sandy to loamy soil pH 6.0-7.5
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes, under glass in frost prone or cold climates
Climate Sub-tropical
Aspect Semi-shade to sunny protected position, frost tender, drought tolerant
Pest & Diseases Mealybugs, soft rot in wet soils, fuller's rose weevil, thrips, leaf spot
Fertiliser Add organic matter to the soil, liquid fertiliser during the growing period, keep moist but not wet
Pruning May be cut back hard during spring to rejuvenate
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Red Edged Dracaena is grown for its clumping habit and colourful foliage. It is planted in small gardens or parks for a tropical effect around water features or in shaded understory positions. It is also grown in courtyard planter boxes.
Sow fresh seed during spring in a well-drained media and keep moist. Take stem cuttings during spring and keep in a humid warm environment. Air layering is used during the growing period.
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