Dracaena marginata plants, also known as dragon trees, are some of the most popular houseplants in the world. And it’s not hard to see why. In addition to their dramatic red-edged leaves, these plants have several fantastic uses and benefits. This article will explore 12 uses and benefits of Dracaena marginata plants.
- About Dracaena Marginata Plants
- 12 Uses and Benefits of Dracaena Marginata Plants
- 1. Dracaena Marginata Plants Are Excellent At Purifying the Air
- 2. Dracaena Marginata Plants Can Help Increase Productivity and Focus
- 3. Dracaena Marginata Plants May Help Reduce Anxiety and Stress
- 4. Dracaena Marginata Plants May Help You to Sleep Better
- 5. Dracaena Marginata Plants Are Brilliant for Improving Feng Shui
- 6. Dracaena Marginata Plants Are Attractive Ornamental Plants
- 7. Dracaena Marginata Plants Are Fairly Low-Maintenance
- 8. Dracaena Marginata Plants Can Tolerate Most Light Conditions
- 9. Dracaena Marginata Plants Don’t Require Lots of Water
- 10. Dracaena Marginata Plants Can Increase Humidity in Your Home
- 11. Dracaena Marginata Plants May Help Alleviate Allergies
- 12. Dracaena Marginata Plants Work as Natural Soundproofing
- Wrapping Up
About Dracaena Marginata Plants
Dracaena marginata plants come from the Dracaena genus, which contains approximately 120 species and belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). These plants are native to the islands of Madagascar and Mauritius.
Dragon trees have slender woody trunks with gray bark and narrow lance-shaped leaves with red edges. These plants also excrete a reddish sap if the stems are cut, which has been likened to dragon blood. It’s no surprise that Dracaena marginata plants are also known as dragon trees.
These plants can grow between 8 and 13 feet tall in the wild. Their canopy of sword-like leaves can also grow up to 8 feet wide. As houseplants, most Dracaena marginata plants will grow up to 6 feet tall.
12 Uses and Benefits of Dracaena Marginata Plants:
1. Dracaena Marginata Plants Are Excellent At Purifying the Air
According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, Dracaena marginata plants are some of the best air-purifying plants for your home. Although all plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, many houseplants can also absorb harmful chemicals. These are known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
VOCs can come from a variety of products, including carpets, paint, and household cleaning products. VOCs can pose several health risks and have sometimes been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Thankfully, Dracaena marginata plants can remove VOCs like benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air.
By purifying the air, these plants can also have other benefits, such as reducing stress and alleviating allergies.
2. Dracaena Marginata Plants Can Help Increase Productivity and Focus
Due to their low-maintenance needs, Dracaena marginata plants are ideal for offices. But this compatibility goes beyond aesthetics. These plants can also help increase productivity and improve your focus.
One study conducted in the Netherlands and the UK found that the presence of indoor plants improved productivity by 15%. Office workers had their productivity levels measured with and without houseplants in the room. When the plants were present, the participants were more productive and felt less stressed.
Numerous other studies have found that indoor plants can also improve concentration and focus. One University of Michigan study found that even just looking at photos of plants improved memory retention by 20%.
3. Dracaena Marginata Plants May Help Reduce Anxiety and Stress
Living and working in our modern world can be incredibly stressful. But houseplants like Dracaena marginata plants may help to reduce this stress and anxiety.
A study conducted by Korean and Japanese scientists in 2015 found that interacting with plants can reduce stress levels. Two groups of participants were monitored while performing two different tasks. One task involved working at a computer, while the other task was to repot a houseplant. The results indicated that the participants felt less stressed when repotting the houseplant.
Other studies indicate that being around plants has other benefits. Plants can help reduce muscle tension, improve heart health, and promote positive electrical activity in our brains.
4. Dracaena Marginata Plants May Help You to Sleep Better
The positive effects of Dracaena marginata plants on our physical and mental well-being can also extend to our sleep. Because dragon trees can help purify the air, this can help us sleep better by making us feel more relaxed.
A 2019 study conducted by Chinese scientists found that the presence of plants improved sleep quality for the astronauts. The plants also appeared to help the participants regulate their central nervous systems. These effects could be seen whenever the astronauts could see or smell one of the test plants.
5. Dracaena Marginata Plants Are Brilliant for Improving Feng Shui
Like many other houseplants, Dracaena marginata plants can improve the feng shui in your home. Dragon trees are frequently associated with good luck, prosperity, and success. Dragon trees can also absorb negative energy that collects in empty spaces or corners while also boosting positive energy.
Dracaena marginata are strongly linked to the Wood element, representing growth and emotional support. According to the Bagua map, the Wood element is strongest in eastern or southeastern areas. Place Dracaena marginata plants in these areas to maximize the power of the Wood element.
6. Dracaena Marginata Plants Are Attractive Ornamental Plants
Dragon trees are undoubtedly some of the most iconic and impressive indoor trees that you can add to your home. These plants usually reach up to 6 feet tall indoors, creating a dramatic statement. The dragon trees are adept at filling empty corners thanks to their upright growth and bushy, sword-like leaves.
Dracaena marginata plants have striking red edges to their leaves, adding a subtle hint of color. Their gray, woody trunks also provide some attractive color and ornamental structure.
7. Dracaena Marginata Plants Are Fairly Low-Maintenance
Despite their impressive appearance, Dracaena marginata plants are actually pretty low-maintenance. As long as they receive warm, stable temperatures, dragon trees will be quite happy in your home. Keep dragon trees away from cold or dry drafts generated by air vents, open windows, and radiators (which can lead to yellowing leaves).
Although they usually need approximately 60 to 80% humidity, dragon trees can tolerate drier conditions. These plants thrive in fertile, well-draining soils with monthly fertilizing in spring and summer. Most dragon trees will only need to be repotted every 2 or 3 years.
8. Dracaena Marginata Plants Can Tolerate Most Light Conditions
Dracaena marginata plants are incredibly versatile when it comes to lighting conditions. Dragon trees need medium to bright, indirect light and can thrive in filtered light. However, dragon trees don’t like bright, direct sunlight or low-light conditions.
To provide the best possible lighting for your Dragon tree, place it about 3 feet away from an east-facing window. Southeast-facing rooms are also a good location for dragon trees. North-facing rooms don’t receive enough light, while south-facing areas receive too much direct sunlight.
9. Dracaena Marginata Plants Don’t Require Lots of Water
Another reason Dracaena marginata plants are low-maintenance is that they don’t require much water. Dragon trees prefer slightly dry soil, so only water when the top 3 or 4 inches of soil feel dry.
Usually, this means watering once a week or so during the spring and summer. In the winter, dragon trees enter a period of dormancy to conserve energy. This means you’ll only need to water once every two weeks or so during the winter.
10. Dracaena Marginata Plants Can Increase Humidity in Your Home
Humidity isn’t just good for your Dracaena marginata – it’s good for you as well. Humidity levels ranging from 30 to 50% help our bodies stay healthy. If your home is too dry, it could cause dry skin and eczema and trigger respiratory problems like asthma.
Dragon trees and other houseplants can naturally increase the humidity in your home. Dracaena marginata plants require humidity levels ranging from 60 to 80%. As excess water evaporates from the leaves, the humidity around your plants will rise slightly.
11. Dracaena Marginata Plants May Help Alleviate Allergies
As mentioned earlier, dragon trees can help purify the air in your home by absorbing harmful VOCs. If you suffer from allergies like asthma, this can really help. VOCs can sometimes trigger asthma attacks and other problems for people who suffer from respiratory conditions. And by absorbing VOCs, Dracaena marginata plants can also eliminate strong odors.
12. Dracaena Marginata Plants Work as Natural Soundproofing
Indoor plants and trees such as Dracaena marginata can work as natural soundproofing in your home. Their upright trunks allow dragon trees to absorb sound waves, helping to reduce ambient noise.
A study conducted by a Korean team discovered that houseplants could outperform paper-based soundproofing. So, in addition to absorbing harmful VOCs, dragon trees can also help you relax by reducing annoying noises.
Benefits of Dracaena Marginata Plants – Wrapping Up
Dracaena marginata plants can yield several benefits if you add them to your home. Dragon trees are one of the best houseplants for purifying the air. These ornamental indoor trees can also help reduce stress and improve our sleep. Dragon trees can even promote good luck and improve your feng shui.
For more, see our in-depth guide on how to grow dragon trees at home and the meaning and symbolism of dracaena plants.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.
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