The Dracaena Tornado is an excellent beginner-friendly plant for you if you wish to add variety and diversity to your houseplant collection.
Characterized by its gorgeous dark green leaves that curl inwards from the tips, the Tornado foliage has a unique twisted shape that makes the plant ideal for modern and classic interiors.
Apart from its undeniable visual appeal and beauty, the Dracaena Tornado plant’s health benefits add to its overall appeal.
Known for its air filtering qualities, the Tornado plant filters airborne toxins and helps make the air more breathable and healthier.
Hence, if you are looking for a way to grow your clean air plant collection, the drought-tolerant Dracaena Tornado is perfect for you!
Keep reading to learn more about the vibrant Dracaena Tornado plant’s easy care routine.
The Ultimate Dracaena Tornado Plant Care Routine
Table of Contents
Controlled Watering
The Dracaena Fragrans Tornado is a drought tolerant house plant that thrives on neglect and low hydration.
The goal is to dry out the soil before adding more water. Simply push a thin wooden stick into the Tornado plant’s pot, and proceed with watering if the stick comes out completely dry.
Focus on watering the plant evenly, and avoid using a water jug when watering your Dracaena Tornado plant. Instead, using a spray bottle for occasional misting is key to keeping the versatile plant evergreen and fresh.
Moreover, it is important to know that too much water will lead to root rot, which can cause your plant to die prematurely.
Humidity Levels
As mentioned above, the Dracaena Tornado is a versatile plant that can survive in various living conditions.
Although your young Dracaena Fragrans Tornado will do fine in normal room humidity, its tropical African roots cause it to prefer higher humidity.
Humidity levels between 50 to 60% are ideal for the Tornado plant. However, if the indoor air is too dry, the Tornado plant’s dark green leaves lose water to their environments.
Although the plant is highly tolerant, signs of dehydration will eventually become evident with discolored and dried-out leaf tips.
Investing in an indoor humidifier can improve your Tornado plant’s growth rate and overall appearance.
Moreover, if the air is too humid, invest in a better indoor ventilation system to avoid root rot or other fungal diseases.
Bright Indirect Light
The Dracaena Fragrans Tornado plants have sensitive leaves that can scorch and die under direct sunlight. These tropical plants prefer bright indirect light that protects their thin surfaces and helps maintain their vibrant green variegation.
Hence, place your slow-growing plant on a south-facing window sill to allow it prolonged hours of filtered light exposure.
Moreover, if your Tornado plants are growing outdoors, invest in a light shade to avoid direct sunlight from reaching your plants.
Average Household Temperatures
One of the main reasons for protecting your young Tornado plant from direct sunlight is to maintain its internal temperature.
The Dracaena Tornado plant does best in average household temperatures and usually begins to turn brown and dry out if the temperature gets too high.
However, avoid placing your young plant before a cooling or heating vent.
Soil Type
Like all other houseplants, a Dracaena tornado plant’s appearance, beauty, and health will depend on the quality and type of its soil.
Although the Dracaena Fragrans do not require a specific soil type, they grow well in nutrient-rich soil that is slightly acidic.
Moreover, choose soil that helps drain out any excess water and does not retain too much moisture.
Pot Size and Repotting Requirements
A healthy Dracaena Tornado plant typically reaches one to two meters in height during its lifetime. Although the Tornado is a slow-growing plant, it is best to repot it annually during the growing season.
Moreover, also make sure to repot the Dracaena Tornado into a larger pot size to give its roots enough space to grow and spread.
Dilute Fertilizer
Drought-tolerant plants like the Dracaena Tornado usually do not need frequent fertilizing to grow.
Apart from an occasional weak dose of a dilute fertilizer during the growing season, the Dracaena Fragrans simply do best under indirect light.
Bonus Tip: The Dracaena Tornado Plant is Toxic to Animals
A Dracaena Tornado may be the ideal plant for all inexperienced plant owners; however, it is not for everyone.
Despite its beauty, low-maintenance care routine, and air filtering qualities, one cannot ignore the tropical plant’s toxic nature.
The Dracaena Fragrans is considered poisonous and toxic to animals. It can lead to severe allergies and breathing problems when ingested accidentally.
If you have animals or young children at home, either choose another indoor plant or keep its pot out of reach.
Final Thoughts – Get Yourself a Dracaena Tornado
Known for its air-purifying abilities, gorgeous dark green leaves, and high tolerance, the Dracaena Tornado is one of the best hardy houseplants you can get your hands on.
However, if you happen to have younger children or animals at home, it is best to choose another dracaena plant species.