Dracaena plants are some of the most common houseplants that people keep. They grow well in low-light conditions and can tolerate dry air, so they’re perfect for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on their heating bill.
In fact, dracaena plants are some of the toughest houseplants you can get! However, just because they are tough doesn’t mean that you can neglect them. Just like any other plant, dracaena plants need water to survive!
But how often should you water your dracaena plant? It’s important to know the answer before it gets too dry or becomes overwatered…
How Often To Water Dracaena?
Generally, it’s best to water a dracaena every 10-21 days, but this depends on where you live and whether it is summer or winter. The best way to know is the touch test. If you think it’s dry, then give it a drink!
You can use your finger to feel the soil into the soil. If the top 50% of the soil is dry, then it is time to water your plant! If you don’t want to use your finger, you can use a moisture meter that offers cleanliness and accuracy.
Can I Give Tap Water to My Dracaena?
Only use tap water if it is filtered or distilled. This is to remove fluoride toxicity that can be dangerous for your dracaena plant. Tap water also contains chlorine and other chemicals you don’t want to risk using on a houseplant.
If you want your dracaena to live as long as possible, it’s best to avoid using tap water. I like using filtered water because it’s cheap and effective!
Can I Use Cold Water on My Dracaena?
No, only use room temperature water. Cold water can shock the roots of your dracaena, so it’s best not to use cold water on them. If you want to store water for future use, let the container sit out overnight or until room temperature is reached before using it.
How Much Water Should I Use on My Dracaena?
Water until it flows out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the plant pot. This way, you know the soil is fully saturated with enough water. However, make sure to only use this much water when the soil is dry – never add more water to moist dracaena water.
Many people water their dracaena plants in the sink. This is fine if the dracaena is small enough to fit in your sink. In fact, this is how I water most of my small plants. Alternatively, you can take your plant to the bathtub and water it there!
Can I Use Distilled Water on My Dracaena?
Yes! Distilled water is the best type of water for your dracaena. It has no chemicals or fluoride toxicity like tap water. However, distilled water also contains fewer minerals than filtered tap water – so this is worth keeping in mind.
I tend to swap between distilled water and filtered water, although I tend to use filtered water more often than not. This way, I don’t have to worry about constantly buying distilled water and my dracaena won’t suffer from fluoride toxicity.
What Happens if I Water My Dracaena Too Much?
Giving your dracaena too much water can cause yellow leaves, brown leaves, root rot, and even plant death! The bad thing is that overwatering a dracaena is easy to do because the plant enjoys dry soil.
While leaf discoloration makes the plant look less aesthetically pleasing, root rot is a serious issue that needs to do tackled immediately. If you notice the roots are black and smelly, then your dracaena unfortunately has rotten roots.
You can save your plant by cutting off any rotten roots and discarding them away from all plants in your home. After the plant has been allowed to dry out, repot your dracaena in a new pot filled with fresh soil that drains well and is not too moist.
To prevent root rot from occurring again in the future, be sure to follow a strict watering schedule and only water when the soil is dry to the touch.
In case the root rot has caused fungal issues, use neem oil on all affected leaves of your plant. Neem oil is a natural, organic way to kill fungus and prevent it from spreading.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you should always use the touch test to determine how often you water your dracaena. However, if you want to be more accurate than that, then invest in a moisture meter for cleanliness and accuracy!
Also, don’t water with cold or hot water, and only use room temperature tap water. Water until it flows out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the plant pot!
I hope this article has helped you learn when is the best time to water your dracaena. If not, leave me a comment below and I’ll try my best to help you out! Thanks for reading.
Tim is an avid gardener from the UK. He was the founder of PlantCarer.com from 2021 to Sep 2023. He sold PlantCarer.com to Aaron. He has since started his own business called Seed To Supper, which provides new gardeners all the materials you need in a box (pots, seeds, compost and instructions) to grow your own delicious and nutritious vegetables and herbs from start to finish – no garden required.
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