Caring for a Dracaena Spike Indoors. Dracaena spikes are actually not dracaenas at all, but are members of the cabbage palm genus (Cordyline spp. A dracaena spike plant is well suited for beginner gardeners because they are relatively easy to care for and take a long time to outgrow their containers..
Correspondingly, can you keep Spike plants over winter?
If your spiky, dracaena starts to look a little ragged, the condition may be due to cool nighttime temperatures. Dracaenas include a wide range of tropical plants, and some varieties can survive outdoors in temperatures cooler than other varieties. You can save the plant by overwintering it in a protected location.
do spikes come back every year? Dracaena Spikes are often sold as annuals in nurseries, but just because the summer is over doesn't mean you need to pull this plant and discard it. Spikes are actually a cold hardy plant in USDA planting zones 7-11, and can grow up to 2 feet in height, returning year after year when left outdoors.
Keeping this in consideration, how do you take care of a spike plant?
Dracaena Spikes (Dracaena indivisa)
- Plant Feed. Fertilize regularly for best display.
- Watering. Keep soil evenly moist.
- Soil. Fertile, well-drained soil.
- Basic Care Summary. Very easy to grow in virtually any location. Best in fertile, well-drained soil. Keep soil moist, watering freely in dry weather. Fertilize regularly for best display.
Can Dracaena grow indoors?
Dracaena Marginata It has stiff purplish-red leaves and slim, curving stalks for trunks. Since it cannot tolerate low light but is not frost hardy, it is often grown indoors. They make excellent houseplants because they are drought tolerant and among the more forgiving dracaena plants.
Related Question Answers
Can you keep annuals alive all year?
"true" annuals that die at the end of year one after producing new seed. Species such as begonias, coleus, fuchsia, Persian shield and most houseplants will overwinter if you keep them above freezing. A few start to suffer when temperatures drop below 40. So get them inside in the next couple of weeks.Can you trim spike plants?
Dracaena pruning isn't at all difficult. The best time for pruning dracaena plants is when the plant is actively growing in spring and summer. If possible, avoid dracaena trimming while the plant is dormant in fall and winter. Be sure your cutting blade is sharp so cuts will be clean and even. How do you propagate spikes?
To take stem cuttings from dracaena, repeat the process of taking top cuttings. However, instead of cutting the stem back past one to two leaf nodes, you will cut a larger portion of the stem. Cut the stem section of the plant into 8-inch (20 cm.) portions, taking special note as to which end is the top and bottom.Can I put my dracaena outside?
Dracaena is one of the most commonly sold houseplants, but dracaena in the garden outside is much less common. This is a beloved houseplant but not everyone can grow it outdoors. It requires constant warmth, so only attempt this if you have a warm, near tropical climate.Is a dracaena a perennial?
After many years of moving the plant in for the winter (out for the summer) it is possible to grow a large specimen tree. This plant can be a perennial in zones 9-11. In zones 3-8 it is an annual only.Is Spike plant poisonous to cats?
The short answer is no. Dracaena is toxic to both cats and dogs. Or rather saponin, a chemical compound that is found in the plant, is toxic to them.Will Cordyline survive the winter?
Cordyline australis is not fully hardy, but more mature specimens usually survive winter outdoors in milder regions or urban areas. Plant out in spring to let the plant get established before the onset of winter.Are Red Star Spike perennials?
Red star spike (Cordyline baurei) is a perennial but it is only rated as cold-hardy in USDA zones 9-11. According to your zip code you are in USDA zone 7, so move it indoors before the threat of frost. If left outdoors, it would die, making it an annual, so that may be where the confusion is from.Why do spike plants turn brown?
The problem you are experiencing is probably due to inconsistent watering. If the soil dries out too much the tips of the leaves will turn brown. Of course, you don't want to over water either, especially in winter when growth has slowed, because this can lead to root rot.What is a plant spike?
In botany, a spike refers to a type of inflorescence (flower arrangement) that bears taller-than-average flowers, most usually on an axis that is unbranched. Similar to a raceme, the spike bears flowers that are directly attached to the plant, without any stalks whatsoever.How long does Dracaena take to grow?
Plants in the Dracaena family are hearty and don't require much moisture to survive. It may take as long as three weeks for the soil to dry out in cool, low light conditions.Why is my dracaena dying?
WATER REQUIREMENTS Overwatering causes root rot and is the main reason a Dracaena Marginata plant dies. Water your Marginata well and allow the top 50% of the soil to dry before watering again. Brown tips on the leaves can indicate overwatering while numerous yellow leaves mean the plant needs more water.How do hydro spikes work?
HydroSpike takes advantage of the capillary characteristics of the soil and the phenomenon of siphoning action. It siphons water via the plastic tubing from a reservoir, to and through the soil capillaries to the plant root system.How do you transplant a dracaena?
Grasp the trunk of the dragon tree just above soil level. Grasp the bottom of the pot with the other hand and gently turn and pull to release the plant. Gently release the old potting soil from the roots with one hand. Untangle any roots that are growing in circles and straighten them slightly.How do you prune a dracaena?
Oftentimes, dracaena species have 1 main stem and a few additional stems. If one of the stems grows out to the side and looks unattractive, cut the stem off using your pruning shears. You can either cut it at the base of the plant to remove the entire stem, or cut the stem to your desired height.How do annuals survive in the wild?
In general, the seeds for annual plants are adapted to sprout each year when conditions return to ideal after a season of stress, whether cold or drought. The annual plant dies off, leaving the seeds as something like life rafts to carry the plant's genetic heritage across to the next generation.How do you take care of a red star cordyline?
"Red Star Spike" cordyline benefits from regular application of a balanced, dry fertilizer once every month from late spring until late summer. Apply 4 tablespoons of fertilizer for every 10 square feet of planting space.How do you care for a dracaena plant indoors?
Dracaena plant care involves keeping the soil of houseplant dracaena moist, but never soggy. Drooping or yellowing leaves indicate over-watering or poor drainage. Learning how to care for a dracaena includes finding well-draining soil in which to grow your houseplant dracaena.Do Dracaena plants purify air?
However, some plants are better in air purification than others. Dracaena is one of the most effective houseplants in air purification. It helps remove formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and carbon dioxide. The houseplant will improve the indoor air quality. 
