Halloween, celebrated on the night of October 31, which most of you already know, is one of the most interesting holidays of the year with all its weirdness and wackiness. Aside from the costumes and accessories that every witch, skeleton, goblin, zombie, vampire, werewolf, ghoul, devil, mummy and ghost need on that day to look their best (no respectable grim reaper is going to be seen without a decent scythe), there are all the activities associated with this hair-raising day. Some familiar ones include trick-or-treating (tops the list for kids), carving pumpkins, ghost tours, costume parties, horror movies (I’m a huge fan), haunted houses, corn mazes and hay rides.

And let’s not forget my favourite part, the decorations, especially the ones on lawns. I’ve noticed some really creative setups in the past few days whenever I take my evening strolls with hubby. Tombstones, spider webs, severed body parts, gruesome stakes, hanging ghosts and mummies that sway in the wind, vampires whose eyes light up, witches that cackle, skeletons that glow, grim reapers that light up, corpses that hang, Frankensteins sitting on lawn chairs, and so on. Some of the homes also include scary sound effects for your entertainment: chains rattling, wolves howling, women screaming, doors creaking, monsters grunting, men yelling, cats screeching, cauldrons bubbling, children sobbing, demons laughing, dogs barking, owls hooting and hearts beating (this one, for whatever bizarre reason, seems to be the most hair-raising sound for me).

The most enjoyable part of all this is the expression of a child’s face, usually a very young one (but sometimes even the older ones too), when they step foot on a property that has an assortment of some of the really spooky things I’ve listed about, which tells you right off the bat that it’s not going to be a walk in the park trying to get to the front door for some treats. You’ll have to work for the goodies with some heart palpitations, a little anxiety and possibly a shriek or two. Some kids grab on tight to their mom or dad’s hand as they’re urged to go forward. The parents look sympathetic as they reassure their young ones, but if you look closely, you’ll catch a glimpse of amusement. Secretly, they look forward to the reaction of their kids as the spooky booby traps unfold. Yup, Halloween can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re young at heart. Why not create a fear-provoking display and have a little fun – at the kiddies’ expense?

Even houseplant lovers can join in on the fun because companies include plants in the Halloween merchandise madness. I don’t know what indoor plants have to do with this holiday, but they’re part of the mix every year, so what the heck. Many of my local stores – big and small – sell an assortment of foliage and flowering plants that are potted up in ceramic pumpkins, in orange, black or green pails and in tin baskets with black cats, ghosts or witches painted on them. Although some of these Halloweenish containers involve a solo specimen, most of them include an assortment – usually a trio - of very common, attractive houseplants. Of course, you don’t have to spend oodles of money (they’re usually a little pricey) on one of these gimmicks, which you can put together yourself with a little imagination, some creativity, a thrift shop and small, inexpensive plant specimens at a local greenhouse, but they look nice. And it doesn’t cost anything to look, which I do, mostly to see what plants are being used.

Some of the plants in these groupings include Chlorophytum, Pothos, Dracaena, Sansevieria, Dieffenbachia, Saintpaulia, Spathiphyllum, Ficus, Croton, Ivy, Syngonium, Pilea and Kalanchoe. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to write about one of the most popular Dracaenas included in the mix, which I think everyone should grow - at least once in their houseplant lifetime. It’s undemanding, versatile, attractive, tolerant and (because it’s so common) very affordable. What more can you ask for?

So let’s get to it and learn about the Dracaena Marginata, one of my favourite plants.


The Dragon Tree

Dracaena Marginata, also known by the common names of Madagascar Dragon Tree and Red Edged Dracaena, is a flowering plant (but don’t hold your breath for blooms) native to Madagascar. Resembling a small palm tree, this extremely popular, tropical-looking plant makes a bold statement in the home with its thin, red-margined, glossy green leaves that sprout from the top and hang over a slender, woody stem. Although it’s a fairly slow grower, it can eventually grow to a height of 10 – 15 feet. Dracaena Marginata is a member of one of the most beloved genus of plants. Some well-known cousins include Dracaena Deremensis, Dracaena Fragrans (Corn Plant), Dracaena Reflexa (Song of India), Dracaena Sanderiana (marketed as the ‘Lucky Bamboo’) and Dracaena Surculosa (Gold Dust Dracaena).

Although this plant is more tolerant than most of irregular watering and dry soil, it is highly-susceptible to root rot from over-watering, so it’s definitely not a good choice for someone who is heavy-handed with the watering can. Use a fast-draining, porous medium and do not water until it is fairly dry. When it is time to water, don’t give tiny sips; drench the soil until water comes out of the bottom. Giving plants measly sips of water can cause large dry pockets in the soil, which can keep the root system from getting a drink at all. Be especially careful during the colder months of the year when root rot is most likely to occur. Reduce watering during this period; allow the medium to dry out almost completely.

Like all its cousins, this Dracaena is a great candidate for hydroculture; consider growing it in the soilless medium, which will eliminate the water juggling act. Dracaena Marginata converts quite easily with very few visible signs of stress. Expect a loss of some lower leaves and slight wilting. Keep the plant warm while it adapts to its new environment, increase humidity and spray mist from time to time to provide much-needed moisture. You can also place your Dracaena on a pebble tray during this period. The first glimpse of water roots can begin as early as two weeks or as late as one month, rarely more.

Able to tolerate different light levels – from low light to full sun – you can place a Marginata right up against a north or east window, near a west one or in a bright area of a southern location making sure to protect against the hot midday sun. Although it will survive in very low levels of light, it requires better quality for optimum growth and appearance; bright, indirect light is the preference. Direct sun is not necessary but a little morning sun coming in from an east window or some late afternoon rays through a west one doesn’t hurt. The reward for providing more light is lovely, variegated leaves and well-defined, coloured margins - not to mention faster growth. If you’re growing a Dracaena Marginata in a dimly-lit area, move it to a brighter spot; it will thank you by growing faster and developing thicker, stronger foliage.

This lovely plant is generally rugged and carefree, except where temperature is involved. Fairly sensitive to cold drafts and chilly temperatures, it is important to place your Dracaena where it is warm. Is your plant sitting in a draft? Do you have it on a cold windowsill? Is it near patio doors that are opened throughout the day, causing the plant to get hit by cold air constantly? Are the leaves touching cold glass? Is it located in a room where you lower the thermostat significantly? Is it in front of a window that you open daily for fresh air – in the middle of winter? If your plant is placed anywhere where cold air hits it, move it. Correct any situations that have the potential to cause cold damage or your Dracaena will deteriorate rapidly.

Being very adaptable, the Dracaena Marginata will put up with dry air but it prefers a higher level of humidity (between 40 – 55 percent) for optimal health. Air that is too dry will lead to brown tips on the leaves, and it will invite pest and insect attacks, especially by the insufferable spider mites. There are many ways that you can increase the humidity. A few things you can do include: pebble trays, double potting, grouping, humidifiers. For more information, visit: Improving Humidity.

This is not a heavy feeder, considering how slow it grows, so I suggest going easy on the fertilizer. Give your plant a dose of liquid fertilizer no more than once a month during the spring and summer months if it’s growing in an ideal location that offers ample light. In less favourable conditions, dilute to half recommended strength or feed only two or three times throughout the entire growing season. Do not fertilize at all during the late fall and throughout the winter.

It is normal for Dracaena Marginata to shed lower leaves as it ages. As time progresses, the lower growth drops and is replaced by new growth on top. A small amount of yellowing leaves being discarded during this gradual process is normal. What’s not normal is when too many leaves simultaneously turn yellow and are discarded. Under-watering and over-watering can both cause premature leaf drop so adjust your watering habits accordingly when necessary. Other triggers for sudden leaf loss include temperature fluctuations, cold drafts and heavy pest infestations. If your plant’s stem becomes long and bare, you can cut it back to a desired height; new leaves will appear shortly. In addition, you can plant the top part to start a new plant.



Personally, I’m not surprised that small versions of this Dracaena are included in the annual Halloween-designed pots overflowing with houseplants. Easy to care for and quick to forgive, Dracaena Marginata is an ideal choice for indoor gardeners. With proper care, it will grace your home with its lovely foliage for many years.



I'll leave you with this funny image...

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