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Dracaena Marginata Kiwi

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About

Dracaena Marginata Kiwi Live Plant

The Dracaena Marginata 'Kiwi' is a striking plant that brings a bold splash of color to any room. It grows on slim, upright woody canes, with strap-like leaves in a mix of bright cream, yellow, and deep forest green, edged with a soft pinkish-red border.

It's slow-growing and adapts well to most indoor spaces. Beyond how it looks, it's also a solid air purifier, filtering out common household toxins while asking for very little in return.

Other Common Names

Dracaena Marginata Kiwi
Rainbow Dragon Tree
Madagascar Dragon Tree 'Kiwi'
Tricolor Dragon Tree

Care Details

Light

This plant is tough and adapts well, handling everything from low light to bright, filtered indirect light. It'll tolerate lower light just fine, but keeping it somewhere bright will make its cream, green, and pink stripes really pop.

Keep it out of harsh direct afternoon sun so the leaves don't scorch.

Water

This plant likes to dry out well between waterings. Let the soil dry out completely before watering again. When it's time, pour slowly until water drains from the bottom, then empty the tray.

Dracaenas are sensitive to the fluoride and other minerals in tap water, so filtered, distilled, or rainwater will keep the leaves looking their best.

Humidity & Temperature

This plant is easygoing with regular household humidity, no misting or extra effort needed. It does well between 65°F and 80°F.

Keep it away from sudden temperature drops, cold winter windows, and heating or AC vents.

Soil & Fertilizing

A regular, well-draining potting mix works well here. Add a bit of perlite or coarse sand to keep water from pooling around the roots.

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

Propagation

Propagate easily with stem cuttings. If your 'Kiwi' gets too tall or leggy, snip the top leafy section off with clean shears, let the cut end dry and callous for a day, then place it in fresh soil or water to root.

The bare cane left behind will naturally grow new, bushy leaf clusters from the side nodes within a few weeks.

Re-potting

This plant grows slowly and prefers being a little snug in its pot, so only repot every 2 to 3 years in spring. Choose a new pot just 1 to 2 inches wider, with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Avoid Pets

Pet Safety

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 table, tall shelf, or somewhere pets can't reach.

Native Region

The parent species of Dracaena marginata are native to the warm, semi-arid subtropical regions of Madagascar and East Africa.

Fun Fact

As the 'Kiwi' grows and matures, it naturally sheds its oldest lower leaves. This shedding process leaves behind distinctive, diamond-shaped leaf scars along the slender trunk, resulting in a beautiful, patterned cane that resembles a miniature, stylized palm tree over time.

Common Problems

Danger

Yellowing Lower Leaves and Soft, Mushy Stems

Cause: Overwatering or waterlogged soil (root rot)

If multiple leaves turn yellow and drop off at once, or if the main woody cane feels soft and spongy near the soil line, your plant is getting too much water. Dracaenas cannot tolerate waterlogged roots. Stop watering immediately, ensure your container drains freely, and always let the medium fully dry out before watering again.

Warning

Brown, Crispy Leaf Tips and Edges

Cause: Sensitivity to tap water minerals or dry air

If the very tips of your 'Kiwi' leaves turn dry, brown, and crispy, the plant is likely reacting to fluoride, chlorine, or heavy salts in your tap water. Carefully snip the dry tips away using clean scissors, and switch to watering with filtered, distilled, or rainwater to keep future foliage pristine.

Warning

Faded, Bleached foliage or Dry White Patches

Cause: Exposure to harsh, direct afternoon sunlight

If the bright cream, green, and pink stripes on your plant begin to look washed out, pale, or develop dry, white bleached spots, it is getting too much direct sun. Move your plant a few feet back from the window or use a sheer curtain to soften the light and protect its colorful leaves.

Info

Occasional Yellowing and Dropping of Lower Leaves

Cause: Natural aging process and vertical progression

Do not worry if an occasional oldest leaf at the bottom of the crown turns yellow, dries up, and falls off. This is a completely natural habit as the plant channels its energy into producing fresh, vibrant new leaves at the top. Trim older lower leaf drop cleanly at the stem base to keep the trunk looking neat and encourage vertical growth.

Quick Tips

Things to know

01

Let the medium fully dry out before refreshing to keep the root system happy and prevent rot.

02

Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater instead of tap water to prevent sensitive leaf tips from turning brown.

03

Trim older lower leaf drop cleanly at the stem base to incentivize neat vertical progression and a clean trunk.

04

Place the plant in low to bright indirect light, keeping it safely shielded from harsh, direct midday sun.

05

Dust the narrow leaves occasionally with a soft, damp microfiber cloth to help the plant photosynthesize and purify your air.

06

Keep your 'Kiwi' clear of cold drafts, freezing winter windows, or direct hot air from heating vents.

Easy Care, Low Light, Air Purifying, Statement Foliage, Colorful & Bright

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Dracaena Marginata Kiwi Live Plant

Dracaena Marginata Kiwi Live Plant

$24.95

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