Danae Horst for The Jungalow
Trees are pretty much the biggest plant investment you'll make, so it can be a little nerve wracking to choose the right one. No one wants to watch a $$$ fiddle leaf fig die a slow death, right? Easy care trees to the rescue! One of our favorites for both it's carefree vibes and its fun foliage is the Dracena. Growing up to 6 feet tall, Dracenas put up with a lot of neglect before showing signs of stress. They'll tolerate low light, low humidity, and a missed watering every now and then. If you're ready to add a tree to your plant collection, the Dracena is a great one to start with.
Dabito for The Jungalow
GET THE GREEN: Dracena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii' pictured' though there are 40 species)
WATER: Plant in pot with good drainage. Water when top 2-3 inches of soil is dry to the touch. Make sure to drain any water from saucers or cache pots- the roots can easily rot if left in standing water.
SUNLIGHT: Bright to medium indirect light. If the edges of the leaves turn brown and crispy, it may be getting too much light. If the colors fade, too little.
PLACEMENT: Depending upon the height, Dracenas can fit into a variety of spaces where larger trees might not since the trunks are so skinny and the foliage grows upward.
EXTRA CREDIT: As with all broad leaf plants, wipe both sides of the leaves regularly to remove dust and promote healthy photosynthesis and good color. Dracenas were one of the plants included in NASA's Clean Air Study, which showed them to be effective at removing benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air.
WORD OF CAUTION: According to the ASPCA, Dracenas are toxic to cats and dogs.
Is there a plant you want to learn more about? Leave a comment and you may find it in a future Plant-o-Pedia!