Q&A for How to Care for a Madagascar Dragon Tree

You should give it a fertilizer designated for house plants. This can be in a liquid or slow release form, depending on your preference. Liquid will need to be applied more frequently. About once per month during the spring and summer, not regularly during fall and not at all during the winter. A slow release fertilizer can be used every few months. Avoid fertilizing for about two months or longer after transplanting your tree.

This could be because of overwatering, underwatering or it could be a natural part of the tree's life cycle. Leaves that yellow from the bottom are normal. Keep your soil moist and well drained.

If it is the lower leaves that are falling off, it is perfectly normal. This is to allow for new growth.

The leaves could be turning brown at their tips if it is not watered enough or if exposed to high temperatures in direct sunlight.

Unfortunately, they may be dead. Try watering them just in case.

The dragon palm doesn't do that on its own. From my experience, it will only get these additional heads if you chop off the trunk from where you want it to start splitting. (Yes, just chop off the living top.) From there, a couple of new trunks will start budding. You can put the original head in water or soil to root and it will just keep on growing.

Cactus medium is good for palms. Also, since there is a chance of it being over-watered, you can make up your own consisting of 1/3 peat, 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 perlite. You can also add rocks or river sand (little rocks).

Yes, if it's gotten too long, you can cut it back. Remove any lower leaves yellowing or looking unhealthy (just peel them off). For cutting a stem use a good cutting knife or secateurs.

Putting ivory soap on top of the dirt seems to repel small fruit flies.

You can tie the leaves to the stem, or consider watering your plant a little less.

Water a little more than normal, dragon tree leaves become quite heavy for the plant once they grow, although this is nothing to worry about.

There is no specific watering pattern for it, as long as the soil remains moist.

Yes,they are toxic to cats and dogs though mine have always ignored it.

This depends on how much you water it, where it is and if you feed it. With a regular water and feed, it should take around 3-4 years to reach 2 meters.

No, it's been infected. If this has happened during warmer months it's highly likely an insect has used it as a breeding area.

It's most likely not getting enough water. Depending on which season, water it once a week in the winter months and thoroughly in the summer months. Reduce watering from early fall onward.

You can cut off the tips of brown leaves with a pair of scissors, but leave a little brown showing so you don't injure the plant.

You can trim a Madagascar Dragon plant during any season. However, they tend to grow more in the spring, so consider waiting until after spring to trim it.

It can be harmful if consumed, but not otherwise.

Yes. It will actually make it more healthy and more beautiful, but only use plant/fruit cleaners.

You might be giving it too much water. You should only water it when the plant is very dry. Mist it every day, but only water it once every two weeks.

Yes, we always do that and it loves it. A shaded area is best for the first few weeks.

Yes, either that or they are in too much sunlight/heat.

You should try to keep your plant in an environment that ranges from 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 32 degrees Celsius). Your air conditioning could be damaging your plant if it is too cold. The air could also be drying your plant out, so be sure to mist the leaves.

You should be repotting your plant every two years, and can search for damaged roots during the transition. Snip dead or damaged roots with scissors so that they don't spread.

There is not a particular feeder that is good for the plant. Most stores do an indoor house plant feed that should work.

Yes, but it is a slow process.

Around 10-15 cm, as this is where the stem is the least likely to take permanent damage.