Dracaena is a type of plant that people often want to grow in their gardens. It can be found at many nurseries and garden centers, but some people are unsure if they should put it outside or inside.

Can Dracaena Live Outside?

Yes, you can grow dracaena outside in your garden! They are hardy plants that can survive in a variety of locations. However, dracaena plants prefer warmer temperatures (75F) and do not grow well in colder climates.

With the above information in mind, I only recommend planting a dracaena outside if the temperature stays consistently warm.

Also, the plant needs to be placed in a spot where it will receive plenty of sunlight throughout the day. This is essential for Dracaena plants to grow well! If you cannot provide the correct amount of light outside your house, then I recommend growing dracaena inside instead.

How To Grow Dracaena Outside?

There are many factors to consider when you want to grow a dracaena outside. Keep the following information in mind:

Temperature

Dracaena plants like warmer climates. If the air is too cold or too hot, then your plant will not survive for very long. Ideally, you will be able to provide temperatures of around 75F. This temperature will allow the plant to thrive.

If you live in an area that gets cold winters (below 50F), it would be best to grow dracaena inside instead. This will be the case for mst of you reading this article.

Lighting

Like most plants, dracaenas need light to survive. The good news is that dracaenas are hardy plants that can survive in dappled light and part shade. Too much light could burn your dracaena.

This is good news for people who want to grow their dracaena outside, but cannot provide full sunlight. However, it also means you need to be careful when it comes to direct sunlight, which could scorch the leaves if they are exposed to it for too long.

So, make sure your dracaena is not in full sun exposure and that the leaves never burn from too much sunlight! This will likely be a problem if you live in an area with hot summers. As mentioned before, they do best in areas that receive dappled or part shade light.

Watering

When it comes to watering a dracaena, dracaenas do best with moist soil. The plant should only be watered when the top one or two inches of soil is dry. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain (or if your plants are growing inside), this will not require much attention on your part!

However, desert areas are very hot and dry. In this case, they will need more constant watering in order to keep the soil moist and stop the dracaena leaves from browning due to leaf burn. Again, I recommend growing dracaena inside if you live in a desert area!

Fertilization

If you notice that your dracaena is not growing well, then it may need fertilizer. I recommend using a general-purpose fertilizer (20-20-20) every few months to help the plant grow strong and healthy!

Pruning

Lastly, dracaena plants should be pruned every few years. This will help the plant stay healthy and strong! Use sharp shears to remove larger branches or entire stems if you want to keep your dracaena small in size.

Pests

When living outside, your dracaena is vulnerable to many different pests that can chew holes in the plant. Spider mites and mealybugs are two of the most common problems you will need to deal with as a dracaena owner.

These pests can be very difficult to get rid of, so it is best for people who want to grow their plants outside that they invest in pest control materials ahead of time!

I use neem oil to kill spider mites and mealybugs on my plants. You can use a general pesticide as well if you prefer, but make sure it is safe for your type of plant first!

You should also keep an eye out for pests like snails or slugs which will eat the leaves off your dracaena plant rather quickly! If this is the case, you can use slug bait to help get rid of them.

Soil

Dracaena plants prefer well-draining soil. I recommend using a mix of equal parts peat moss, perlite, and organic compost for your planting area.

This will be great for helping the plant to drain water! It is also good because it drains fast so you do not have standing water remaining around your plant after watering it.

Do not use potting soil because it can become too compacted, which will make it difficult for your plant to get the water and air circulation that is needed.

Outside Dracaena FAQs

This isn’t a simple topic, so I will now try to answer any other questions you may have.

What are the benefits of growing dracaena outdoors?

One of the benefits is that you can grow your plant as large as possible. In some cases, people will even be able to create a small tree by training it with wire or stakes! This means they do not have to worry about pruning their dracaena back for years at a time if desired.

What are the disadvantages of growing dracaena outdoors?

One disadvantage to growing your dracaena outside is the fact that it will require regular watering or it can die. You will also need to make sure that there is a place for the plant to get some shade during hot summers!

Should dracaena come inside during winter?

Yes, I recommend bringing your plant indoors during the winter. If you live in a cold area, then it will be too difficult to protect dracaena from frost or freezing temperatures!

Should dracaena go outside during summer?

You should only keep your dracaena outside in summer if you can provide enough water and give the plant an area to escape the afternoon heat, like under a large tree. Otherwise, it should be kept indoors during summer to prevent damage from the heat!

How to get more light for outdoor dracaena?

If you live in a hot, sunny area then your dracaena plant should be able to get plenty of light on its own! However, if this is not the case and your plant seems droopy or yellowish all over, then I recommend finding another spot for it.

How to water outside dracaena?

Dracaena plants should be watered a few times per week if it is hot outside. You can also water less in cooler temperatures, but remember that it will need more watering during summer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can grow a dracaena outside in your garden. However, you need to provide the right conditions for it to stay healthy and thrive. If you cannot meet these requirements, then I recommend growing them inside instead of outdoors.

If you have any other questions about dracaena plants, please don’t hesitate to reach out or check out my other posts.