Skip to content

Volume Discounts Apply At Checkout

Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree)

Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree)

Most loved for its dramatic sculptural form, thick branching trunk, and rosettes of grey-green sword-like leaves that create a bold architectural statement.

Regular price $320.00
Sale price $320.00 Regular price
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Pot size
Available batches
Size: 40cm/45L
Current height guide
Please enquire
Pot size
40cm/45L

Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.

Height guide & disclaimer

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 must confirm 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.

Quantity

Order multiple sizes

Mix pot sizes and batches in one order.

Size / batchEachQuantity
40cm/45LApprox. height: Approx. 0.5m – 0.8m$320.00
50cmApprox. height: Approx. 0.8m – 1.0m$480.00
100LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$4,070.00
100L BranchingApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$6,780.00

Height guide & disclaimer

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 must confirm 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.

Subtotal before discounts & delivery$0.00

Delivery is calculated at checkout.

Ask a question

The fields marked * are required.

Compare trees

Choose two trees and compare the same pot size.

    About Dracaena draco

    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.

    Foliage

    Evergreen (foliage year round)

    Position
    • Full Sun
    Form
    • Vase - Shaped
    Use
    • Feature Tree
    • Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
    • Council or Civic Landscapes
    Mature height
    5m to 10m (approx.) (can reach 10m+, very slow-growing)
    Mature width
    6m to 10m

    Planting Information

    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.

    Uses in my Garden

    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.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    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.

    Compare sizes side by side

    40cm/45L

    Approx. 0.5m – 0.8m

    50cm

    Approx. 0.8m – 1.0m

    100L

    Enquire for current heights

    100L Branching

    Enquire for current heights

    Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.

    Dracaena draco is loved for its dramatic sculptural form, thick branching trunk, and rosettes of grey-green sword-like leaves that create a bold architectural statement.

    We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.

    Plant Your Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) With:

    Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

    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.

    youtube Load video:

    Evergreen Trees Direct Has Been Featured In:

    Perfect Substitutes for Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree)

    Follow Us On Instagram

    @evergreentreesdirect ↗
    Evergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees Direct
    youtube Load video: