Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) - Evergreen Trees Direct

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Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree)

$320.00

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Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 50cm 100L 100L Branching

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 0.5m – 0.6m Approx.
50cm: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 10m (approx.) (can reach 10m+, very slow-growing)

Mature Width: 6m to 10m

Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) is expected to grow 10cm to 30cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Shipping

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the pallet space your order occupies in the truck and your delivery location.

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Contact

Have a question or a list to send through to us?

Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree)

Dracaena draco builds a thick branching trunk topped with dense rosettes of grey-green sword-like leaves, giving one of the strongest architectural silhouettes available in a plant. The Dragon Tree reads as sculpture, which is why it is used so often in contemporary and Mediterranean garden design.

Dracaena draco grows very slowly at 10 to 30 centimetres per year, eventually reaching 5 to 10 metres tall and 6 to 10 metres wide over many decades. That slow rate is a feature rather than a limitation, because it means a specimen holds its shape and scale in a designed space for years without correction.

The Dragon Tree needs full sun and sharp drainage, and is frost sensitive, so it suits frost-free coastal and warm inland positions. Once established it is highly drought tolerant and needs almost no water, which makes it a natural fit for water-wise and low-maintenance plantings.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Dracaena draco

How fast does Dracaena draco grow?

Very slowly, at 10 to 30 centimetres per year. A Dragon Tree takes decades to reach full size, which is why advanced specimens are valued and priced accordingly.

How big does the Dragon Tree get?

Over many decades it reaches 5 to 10 metres tall with a broad umbrella-shaped crown 6 to 10 metres across. In a garden setting it stays far smaller for a very long time.

Can Dracaena draco be grown in a pot?

Yes. Its slow growth and sharp drainage requirements make it well suited to large pots, where it works as a long-term architectural feature for entries, courtyards and terraces.

Is the Dragon Tree frost tolerant?

No. Dracaena draco is frost sensitive and can be damaged by frost, particularly when young. Choose a frost-free or protected position, or grow it in a pot that can be sheltered.

How much water does Dracaena draco need?

Very little once established. It is highly drought tolerant and far more likely to suffer from overwatering than from drought. Ensure drainage is sharp and let it dry out between waterings.

Does Dracaena draco flower?

Yes, though infrequently and only on mature specimens. Clusters of small white flowers appear in summer, followed by orange berries.

Where should I plant a Dragon Tree?

Give it full sun, sharp drainage and a position where the silhouette can be seen against a wall or sky. It is most effective as a single specimen rather than in groups.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
Council or Civic Landscapes

Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) works in an:

Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) Evergreen or Deciduous?

Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 10m (approx.) (can reach 10m+, very slow-growing)

Mature Width: 6m to 10m

Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) is expected to grow 10cm to 30cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree)

Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) is expected to grow 10cm to 30cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Slow Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree)

Is Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) frost tolerant?

Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Does Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) Flower?

Dracaena draco produces tall, upright panicles of small, creamy-white to greenish flowers in mid- to late summer. While not highly ornamental, the fragrant blooms rise above the branched canopy and are followed by bright orange-red berries that add a subtle seasonal highlight.

Does Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Summer

Flower Type:

Star

Flower Colour:

White

Is Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) an Australian Native Tree?

No

Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) is Native to The Canary Islands, Madeira, and Cape Verde, where it grows naturally in rocky, arid landscapes.

What is the Wildlife Value of Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) ?

Its nectar-bearing flowers attract bees and beneficial insects, while the colourful berries provide food for fruit-eating birds. The branching canopy also offers sheltered perching spots and creates warm micro-habitats for reptiles and ground-dwelling wildlife in arid-style gardens.

How much Sunlight does Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) need?

Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Dracaena draco performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It is extremely sensitive to poor drainage and may fail in heavy clay or waterlogged areas unless significantly improved with organic matter and coarse material. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then move to deep, occasional watering as it matures to support its slow, steady growth and exceptional drought resilience.

Is Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) Drought Tolerant?

Is Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires occasional watering, but once established Dracaena draco develops exceptional drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry, windy and coastal environments, maintaining its thick trunk and architectural branching with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree)

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree)

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) is expected to grow 10cm to 30cm per year (approx.).

Slow Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree)

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) in Different Soil

Dracaena draco performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called the Dragon Tree? When the bark or leaves are cut, they secrete a red resin, historically referred to as 'dragon's blood'.
Is it suitable as a houseplant? Yes, provided it receives sufficient light, it can thrive indoors.