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Dracaena steudneri

northern large-leaved dragon tree

A slow-growing, tropical evergreen shrub or tree, with upright, palm-like stems, reaching up to 15m high in its native range but usually much smaller in cultivation. Leaves are leathery, lance-shaped and clustered at the tips of the stems, and can grow to be over 1m long. Mature plants sometimes produce long clusters of small, scented greenish-white flowers, which open at night, and are followed by round, dark purple-black berries

Other common names

Steudner's dragon tree

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or 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
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: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but free-draining potting mix, in full sun. Plants will not tolerate frost, and are usually grown as houseplants, 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 and houseplant cultivation 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; bottom heat may be required for rooting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Houseplants
Low Maintenance
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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