Plant · GBIF taxon 10818704
Dracaena marginata
Dracaena marginataAlso known as Madagascar Dragon Tree, Red-Edged Dracaena, Dragon Tree
Madagascar dragon trees grow as slender, woody-stemmed evergreens topped with dramatic rosettes of narrow, ribbon-like leaves edged in vibrant red. Native to Madagascar and surrounding Indian Ocean islands, these resilient plants naturally inhabit warm coastal scrub and forest edges. Over time, lower foliage drops away cleanly, leaving a distinctively ringed, arching trunk beneath the vibrant crown.
EvergreenTropicalOrnamental
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic
Predators
- Mealybugs
- Spider Mites
- Scale Insects
ThreatsHabitat loss in wild populations, root rot from overwatering in cultivation
HabitatsTropical coastal forests, dry scrub, cultivated gardens and indoor spaces
Life span20–50+ years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAsparagales
- FamilyAsparagaceae
- GenusDracaena
- SpeciesDracaena marginata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; keep plants out of reach of household pets.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains steroidal saponins that cause vomiting, drooling, weakness, and dilated pupils in cats and dogs when chewed.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for tall slender stems topped with narrow green leaves bordered by fine reddish-purple edges.
- What to do
- Keep potted specimens elevated on high stands or room spaces out of reach of pets.
Responsible observation
- Lighting: Place in bright, indirect light to keep leaf margins rich red.
- Watering: Allow the top half of the soil to dry before watering again.
- Pet Safety: Elevate potted plants on tall stands away from browsing animals.
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by maryury · cc0
Close Relative (c) Ong Jyh Seng, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Ong Jyh Seng · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Cataleirxs / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Family Member Mokkie / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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