Dragon Tail Plant Care

Dragon Tail Plant is a tropical plant native to the tropics of Southeast Asia, India, and Australia and can be found here in its wild forms.

The dragon tail plant, because of the unique appearance of its leaves, also known as Epipremnum pinnatum, is a native species that you should consider incorporating into your collection of houseplants.

When they are young, they have a shiny surface and an oval shape, but as they grow, they transform into intensely petalled leaves that resemble a ‘dragon tail’ if you put your mind to it.

Origin of a Dragon Tail Plant

Epipremnum originates in the wet forests of the Solomon Islands; it requires a warm, well-lit location with ample indirect light to thrive. The ideal location for growing Epipremnum is within a few meters of a window.

The non-variegated varieties can survive with less light, but you should ensure they get at least four to six hours of indirect sunlight each day.

Dragon Tail Plant Care

If you see that your indoor plants are shedding their markings, sometimes known as returning to a solid green color, this is a sign that it needs to be in a pot with drainage hole in a location that receives more direct sunlight.

Another sign that your plant and other indoor plants is not getting enough indirect light is if it appears to be stretching, with longer stem sections in between each leaf. This is a sure sign that it needs to get more light.

Growth of a Dragon Tail Plant

The Dragon Tail Plant can grow to 12 meters (40 feet) in the wild; however, the plant grown in a home environment will typically not exceed 2 to 3 meters in length. It is a plant that branches out and has huge leaves that can reach a diameter of up to 40 centimeters, 16 inches.

The leaves are very lengthy and are split down the middle. The plant size might vary depending on the breed, but all specimens of this species share the peculiar appearance of the leaves and the low maintenance requirements.

Foliage of a Dragon Tail Plant

In its natural environment, dragon tail emerges as a forest floor denizen in tropical and subtropical climates. As a result, it is a plant that adores warm temperatures and high humidity levels. Nevertheless, it is versatile and will also thrive well when kept inside.

The foliage on this plant is the brightest and most emerald-looking of any I’ve seen. During the juvenile stage, the leaves of the dragon’s tail plant have the shape of an arrow, are oval, and have a smooth texture.

When the plant reaches full maturity, its leaves will develop lobes and distinctive markings as the plant develops.

Every leaf is divided into three to four lobes on each side of the stem. The length of each leaf ranges anywhere between 20 and 50 centimeters. The surface of it can range from being smooth to having a leathery appearance, and the stem grows completely leafless.

Watering

It is important to water the Dragon Tail Plant consistently. Make sure that the soil dries out on the top of the container. Between waterings, the top two inches of the soil should be left to dry out completely.

The key to effectively watering a plant is to do it with lukewarm water and to prevent the water from the running tap from falling straight onto the plant’s stem. Alternately, let the plant remain in water that is a few centimeters deep for an hour to draw water up from the soil.

However, you shouldn’t keep him sitting with the drip tray full of water because, like most plants, he detests having wet feet. In the winter, you should reduce how often and thoroughly water your plants.

This plant can survive in dry conditions and needs to be watered once every few weeks. Because of its thick leaves and branches, it can conserve water and live for a long time despite a water shortage.

The plant’s aerial roots can survive dry conditions but not too wet, as it will result in root rot.

To prevent root rot, maintain the watering frequency, so it doesn’t damage the aerial roots.

Temperature

The dragon’s tail plant thrives in warmer climates. Its optimal environment is between 65 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme weather conditions are undesirable. If you’ve brought this plant indoors, you can stop worrying about whether it gets warm enough.

However, external temperatures vary greatly. If you cultivate this plant outside, you’ll need to give it some extra attention. To prevent your plant from suffering any damage due to temperatures that are too cold or too hot, you should make the required adjustments if this occurs.

This plant prefers warm temperatures and thrives in tropical environments. It only works well with conditions of high heat or cold. It is not a plant that can withstand frost; the lowest temperature that it can tolerate is 50 degrees Fahrenheit. On hot days, you are responsible for shielding it from draughts of hot air.

Light

Your Dragon’s Tail Plant requires a bright, diffused light rather than direct sunshine, which might harm the plant. Dragon Tail Plant can also thrive when grown in bright indirect light.

Place in an area that receives bright light but is shielded from direct sunlight. It can grow in low light conditions, but the pace of growth will be significantly decreased.

When there is not enough light, the distance that separates the leaves will lengthen, and in extreme cases, the stem will become entirely devoid of leaves.

Little to no light can effect its growth rate will be slowed. You have the option of placing it on an eastern or western window.

Sunlight with a medium angle of indirect exposure; however, the greater the angle of indirect exposure, the more quickly they will mature.

Humidity

This plant’s natural habitat is a humid tropical forest; thus, it thrives in those conditions. If the humidity drops too low, it won’t develop properly. Warning signs that you need to adjust the humidity surrounding this plant are browning leaf margins.

If you discover your Epipremnum has brown, crispy edges, you may try clumping some of your houseplants around each other, popping them on a pebble tray, and misting them with a diluted houseplant mist.

To give your humidity-loving plants the rainforest environment, they need to flourish, and you can buy a little humidifier online and set it up among them.

Spray bottles can temporarily increase humidity but doing so too often might lead to fungal problems. Misting is most effective occasionally as part of your regular leaf-cleaning regimen. To remove dust from the leaf surface, spray the leaves and wipe them gently with a towel.

Soil

Soil with a pH of 6.1–6.5 is ideal for dragon tail plants. However, pH 5.1–5.5 is ideal according to the hardiness zones. This plant needs organic, well-drained potting mix with plenty of air circulation to thrive. Be sure the bottom of the pot you choose to house your dragon’s tail plant has good drainage holes.

Since it will be kept in a container, standard garden soil can be used. The potting mix in a garden typically has several empty areas. The soil will allow plenty of oxygen to reach the plant’s roots. Drainage can be improved by mixing peat moss, perlite, and sphagnum moss.

Fertilizer

For this plant, the application of fertilizer is not required. The soil and the sun provide the Dragon Tail Plant with the necessary nutrients. Vine fertilizer can only be used between April and September.

When the weather is warm, and the plant is growing, use a liquid fertilizer every two weeks; however, do not use fertilizer during winter months.

Maintenance

Many people have a soft spot in their hearts for tropical plants, and the popularity of this particular species is only on the rise. All of this is because it has very few requirements and needs. It is a low-maintenance houseplant that requires very little care and may be cultivated without difficulty.

Things to Keep an Eye Out For

Feeding more frequently than once every two weeks will promote faster growth. Give it more room to expand by repotting every year or two. Use a larger container, new potting soil, and eco-seaweed to revive your plant.

Cutting back the stems of your dragon tail plant might help keep it compact and prevent it from taking over its container. However, remember that this plant is a natural trailing or climbing species.

Lifespan

Since it is a hardy and evergreen plant, it can survive in your house for many years. You can naturally extend the dragon tail pothos’ lifespan if you provide optimal growing conditions. Give your dragon’s tail plenty of TLC, and you’ll be able to enjoy its ever-expanding beauty for years to come.

Propagation

Use sharp garden shears for stem cuttings to snip off a section of stem with two to three healthy leaves. A node is a hump on the stem where a leaf often emerges. Therefore, you should make your cut around 1.5 cm below one.

Propagation Process

You can remove the lowest leaf, and place the cutting in water with the bottom node submerged in a jar. Make sure the node is always submerged by adding more water as necessary. The formation of roots is expected after 4–6 weeks.

When the roots are 10–12 centimeters long, repot them into fresh potting soil and water them with OCP eco-seaweed. Any time of year is fine for taking cuttings. However, root growth will be quickest when temperatures are higher.

Toxic for Pets

Ingestion of huge quantities of dragon tail or a substance that resembles monstera can kill your furry friends. Its toxic leaves can set off an allergic reaction and irritate the gastrointestinal tract, mouth, and throat. Therefore, ensure that your children and animals are protected from this one.

Pest Problems

The Dragon’s Tail plant is immune to diseases, although it is susceptible to mealybugs, scales, and spider mites infestations. These small insects feed on the sap of the plant’s green stem, which causes the plant to become sickly and fragile.

Removing Pests

By wiping the foliage with a cotton bud that has been bathed in neem oil, you will be able to get rid of these dangerous bugs.

Final Thoughts

Even though your dragon tail pothos will flourish in a hanging basket as long trailing stems, you will need to provide it with a structure to climb and cling to if you ever want to see its fully developed, massive leaves. Epiphytes, like the dragon tail plant, are adapted to grow on other plants rather than the ground.

Most of these plants would never mature beyond their juvenile stages if kept in the house without support, with smaller leaves and often simpler designs. With the right kind of support, like a totem pole, and care, your new plants should flourish and reach full maturity in record time.

Like many others, this magnificent vine enters a dormant period throughout the winter. To grow your healthy plant, protect it from root rot and pests.