Marginata
Marginata
Dracaena marginata
Light Level: Medium
Water Level: Low
Dracaena marginata has woody stems with narrow, sword-like leaves. The dark green, glossy foliage has narrow, red stripes near each leaf margin. The name marginata refers to the stripes on the leaf margins. D. marginata ‘Bicolor’ has the red and green stripes but the variegation pattern is different. ‘Colorama’ is similar to ‘Bicolor’ but there are red and ivory bands in the central part of the leaf. ‘Tricolor’ has ivory stripes through the central green area and near the margins. ‘Magenta’ is similar to the basic marginata but more purplish to dark red overall. The highly variegated types are less hardy and vigorous that the standard variety.
Country of Origin
Africa and Asia
Maintenance Tips
D. marginata may lose older leaves and color when light levels are too low, such as, during winter. You can remove up to one-third of the older green leaves before they die back to reduce the stress on the plant. Allow marginata to dry slightly between waterings and do not allow the saucer under the pot to accumulate water, or root rot will occur. Use a complete, balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
These plants do well when kept on the dry side. You will find they are often in Hawaiian lava rock potting media, which helps prevent root rot. Do not allow these plants to sit in water.
Marginatas prefer low to medium light.
Pests and Problems
Scale, mealybugs, and thrips are most common.
Root diseases are generally caused by overwatering or sitting in water. Leaf spots (which sometimes occurs with wilting) on newer leaves can be caused by fungi living in the soil. Aerate the soil and allow the plant to dry down. Clean any tool used on diseased plants to prevent the spread of the fungus.
Stem rot, which is also caused by overwatering, may cause a bad odor.
Tip burn develops when the plant is too dry, humidity is too low. It can also be caused by an accumulation of boron or fluoride, or high soluble salts.
When exposed to too much light, the leaves may become bleached. Move the plant away from the light source.
Fusarium moniliforme is a leaf spot disease caused by this pathogen often found in Dracaenas. Leaf spots are round, raised, rust colored lesions with yellow halos. Off-white spores appear at the growing point where the apex may rot. Other symptoms include root rot, chlorosis, and wilting.
Phyllosticta maculicola is a pathogen that causes a leaf spot disease. In Dracaena it is characterized by brown leaf spots with yellow halos. With P. dracaenae, the spots are irregular, brown with purple borders and yellow halos, and appear on the lower surface of older foliage.
For more care information visit our comprehensive Indoor Gardening Guide.