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Trees

Dracaena cinnabari

A slow-growing, tropical evergreen tree, reaching up to 10m in its native range but usually smaller in cultivation. Mature plants have a thick trunk and branching stems tipped with clusters of narrow, strap-shaped leaves, which form a dense, umbrella-shaped canopy. Clusters of small, greenish-white flowers are produced in early spring, followed by round green berries that ripen to orange

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1B

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright, Spreading branched
Potentially harmful: Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Dracaena are evergreen trees, the few branches bearing linear to lance-shaped leaves often crowded towards the tips; on mature plants, small greenish-white flowers may be followed by orange or red berries
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a free-draining, gritty potting mix, in full sun. Though sometimes used in landscaping in warmer regions, it will not tolerate frost and in the UK is best grown in a greenhouse or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter. Water moderately in the growing season, preferably with rainwater, and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly. Keep almost dry in winter. See Dracaena for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 18-20°C in spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings in late spring to early summer. Allow cuttings to callus before inserting into growing media, bottom heat may be required for rooting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, glasshouse red spider mite, thrips and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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