Due to its evergreen leaves, the dragon tree is a very popular houseplant and, under the right conditions, can also be placed on a balcony that is not too hot in summer. If you can't get enough of this relatively easy-care plant, the cultivation of offshoots is also possible for hobby gardeners without any problems.

Dragon trees can be easily propagated via offshoots

Reasons for propagation by cuttings

Generally speaking, dragon trees only rarely bloom, as certain factors such as a certain age of the plant, a cooler temperature and a certain degree of drought must prevail for the flowering to take place. This makes propagation from the plant's seeds not only tedious, but also difficult. Material for cuttings can also accrue all by itself in the dragon tree if, for example, it is in a location that is not bright enough in the apartment. Then the plant tends to develop a long and relatively bare "stem" as it tries to stretch itself towards daylight. By pruning the dragon tree and taking cuttings at the same time, you can achieve a more compact and sometimes more branched growth form for the plants.

Choose the right time and take care of the mother plant properly

Propagation should take place in summer, if possible, so that the cut head and stem cuttings receive enough light and heat during the root formation phase. Use a sharp knife, or even better, well-sharpened pruning shears, to make a clean, straight cut through the stem of the plant. The cut cuttings should preferably have a length of 20 to 30 centimeters each. Usually there are only several levels of leaves at the top of the dragon tree anyway. If your cutting is cut rather tightly, it may be a good idea to remove some of the lower leaves for successful rooting. You can protect the cutting point on the mother plant from invading germs with a little charcoal dust or a dripping layer of wax until a few weeks later new shoots have formed below the drying out trunk tip.

The cuttings want to be placed correctly

So that the still rootless offshoots can form roots in peace, they should not be placed in the blazing sun if possible. In general, the dragon tree should never be in full sun all day, as this can lead to sunburn and brown leaves. Like the rooted specimens, offshoots of the dragon tree also appreciate high humidity or regular spraying of the leaves with water. If the cuttings are to form roots in the water, a light-tight container should be chosen in which the water should be changed every few days. The cuttings can also be planted directly in suitable soil.

Creative ideas for dragon tree cultivation

When propagating dragon trees, you can also let your creativity run free. For example, the following design ideas are available:

  • Plant cuttings of different dragon tree varieties in a pot
  • Arrange cuttings of different lengths as a “dragon tree ensemble”.
  • intertwine long, straight offshoots with the stems

tips

Special rooting hormones are not necessary for the propagation of the dragon tree, since it forms roots reliably after three to four weeks anyway. It can be advantageous if you first let the cuttings dry for about 24 hours before they are placed in the water or in the soil.

Category:

Indoor plants