Dracaena Black Beauty

This plant is tough and adaptable, working in everything from low light to bright, filtered indirect light. To keep that deep, dark green color looking its best, keep it out of direct afternoon sun, it'll scorch or bleach the color right out of the leaves.

This plant is very drought-tolerant and prefers to dry out well between waterings. Let the soil dry out completely before watering again. When you water, soak it thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then empty the tray.

Filtered, distilled, or rainwater is a good idea here, Dracaenas are sensitive to the fluoride and chlorine in tap water.

This plant does best with humidity between 40% and 60%, which helps keep its dark leaves from getting dry, brown tips. Keep the room between 65°F and 78°F during the day, and don't let it drop below 55°F at night.

Keep it away from cold window drafts, sudden AC blasts, and direct heating vents, quick temperature changes can stress the plant and cause it to drop leaves. It handles average indoor air better than a lot of tropical plants, but a humidifier or damp pebble tray nearby helps it look its best during dry winters.

A regular, well-draining potting mix works fine here. Mixing in some perlite or orchid bark helps stop water from pooling.

This plant barely needs feeding. One dose of balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer per season, during spring and summer, is enough.

Propagate easily with stem cuttings. If your Dracaena gets too tall, just prune off part of the leafy top or a section of the woody cane. Let the cut end dry and callous for a day or two, then place it in moist soil or a jar of clean water.

New roots and fresh leaves will grow from the cut nodes over the next few weeks.

This slow-growing plant prefers being a little snug or root-bound in its pot. Only repot every 2 to 3 years in spring. Choose a new pot 1 to 2 inches wider than the current one, with drainage holes so the roots don't stay waterlogged.

This plant is toxic to pets. It has saponins in it, which can cause vomiting, drooling, and dilated pupils in cats and dogs if chewed or swallowed.

Keep it up on a high plant stand or somewhere pets can't reach.

The parent species of Dracaena are native to the warm, tropical understory forests of Sub-Saharan Africa.

The genus name "Dracaena" comes from the ancient Greek word drakaina, which translates directly to "female dragon." This name was inspired by the thick, red, blood-like resin or sap that exudes from the stems of certain native tree-like species when cut or damaged.