Tree of Happiness - Description and Care of the Houseplant

Dracaena fragrans, or the tree of happiness, is an impressively large evergreen shrub native to Africa that has been cultivated as a houseplant for many years. Dracaena is an exotic plant native to tropical Africa. In its native land, the plant is grown for its wood and medicinal leaf extract. Elsewhere, it is grown purely for ornamental purposes.

History of growing the tree of happiness and its omens

The first botanical description of the plant was presented by Carl Linnaeus in 1767, who based his work on the work of the Italian scientist Domenico Vandelli. According to a description by sailors, in 1942, an old, tall, exotic tree was spotted on the island of Tenerife. It was considered sacred by the locals, who worshiped it as a deity. Dracaena began to be grown indoors as early as the 19th century, and since then, the plant has remained popular among gardeners.

Several legends are associated with the origin of the dracaena genus, explaining the plant's name. According to one legend, the first dracaena grew from soil soaked in the blood of a dragon and an elephant during a fight. In Latin American countries, it is known as the tree of happiness, as one legend holds that the dracaena brought good luck and happiness to a young couple in love.

The tree is believed to bring family happiness and love to the home where it grows. For this reason, the plant is ideal for single people dreaming of a happy family life. It is also believed that the rate of leaf growth can be used to determine the quality of a romantic relationship. If the leaves grow steadily and quickly, it means peace and love reign in the family, while slower growth suggests that the relationship needs some work.

The fragrant dracaena gets its name from the sweet scent of its white flowers. According to superstition, the tree's blooms foretell financial success or career advancement, but it's important to note that it rarely blooms indoors.

Characteristics of the species

Dracaena is a popular ornamental plant from the Asparagus family. In its natural habitat, the shrub grows up to 6 meters tall, while indoors it rarely reaches even 2 meters. It has a thick, erect, woody, light-brown stem with several branches. However, the stem of a plant grown indoors is quite unstable and requires additional support.

The shrub's curved, glossy leaves are arranged alternately at the top of its crown, forming a rosette. The lanceolate, rigid leaf blade can reach 60 cm in length, while its width typically ranges from 1-10 cm. The leaves can be a solid green or bicolor. Bicolored leaf blades feature distinct white, yellow, or dark green longitudinal stripes. As the tree matures, it loses its lower leaves, and its trunk becomes bare.

In the wild, a mature dracaena boasts lush annual blooms, but don't expect white and green flowers on a plant growing indoors. The shrub's flowers exude a pleasant aroma reminiscent of freshly cut grass, hence the plant's name. The flowering process results in the appearance of small, round, orange fruits.

Peculiarities of growing the tree of happiness at home

Dracaena is an ideal ornamental plant, easily grown even by a novice gardener or even a casual houseplant enthusiast. However, despite its low maintenance, the flower still requires care. If neglected, it's unlikely to grow a healthy and beautiful plant.

Lighting

The plant prefers bright light but can also grow in partial shade. It's important to note that variegated dracaenas require more light than species with solid-colored leaves. When choosing a location for the plant, be aware that direct sunlight can cause leaf burn. For this reason, choose a location with bright but indirect light.

Temperature and humidity

Dracaena, a native of the tropics, thrives in warm, humid conditions. In summer, the plant thrives at temperatures between 19 and 25°C (65 and 77°F). In winter, the shrub can be grown in a cooler room, but the temperature should not drop below 10°C (50°F). However, the plant does not respond well to drafts, so consider this when choosing a location.

To prevent the plant from becoming overwatered, the tray can be equipped with drainage, typically expanded clay or pebbles. Dust-covered leaves cannot breathe properly, so experienced gardeners recommend periodically removing dust from the plant with a slightly damp, soft cloth.

Watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil

The tree prefers moderate watering. In summer, watering twice a week is sufficient, while in winter, you can reduce the frequency to once every 7 days. However, avoid allowing the soil to dry out completely. Typically, the drying out of the top 2-3 cm of soil indicates the tree needs watering. Water the plant only with well-settled, room-temperature water.

The top layer of soil in which the tree grows should be loosened periodically. This increases soil aeration and regulates its moisture, which benefits the root system.

During the active growth period, which occurs during the warmer months, the tree requires additional feeding every two weeks. In winter, the plant's growth is slower, so fertilizer can be applied only once every 30 days.

For feeding, it's recommended to use complex fertilizers for palms and dracaenas, which can be purchased at specialty stores. Just be sure to avoid fertilizers that contain high levels of phosphorus.

Pruning and shaping

Dracaenas don't require mandatory pruning. Topping is done to restore their decorative appeal. The fact is, as the plant ages, it begins to resemble a palm tree. The tree stretches upward, and the trunk gradually loses old leaves, which are no longer replaced by new ones. A bare, leafless trunk spoils the flower's appearance.

In this case, the top of the tree with 5-7 leaves is cut off, leaving only 4 leaves on the trunk. The cut area, treated with hot wax, is covered with a plastic bag. The heat will awaken the buds and give birth to additional side shoots. Once these appear, the plastic bag can be removed from the trunk. After this treatment, the dracaena will become more luxuriant and resemble a shrub.

Diseases, pests and methods of control

Improper plant care can lead to various diseases. For example, if watered with poor-quality water, mottled spots will appear on the undersides of the leaves. For this reason, it's best to use only settled or filtered soft water for watering.

Excessive soil moisture leads to stem rot, wilting, and the appearance of wet, brown spots on the leaves. Insufficient moisture, in turn, leads to the appearance of dry, brown spots on the leaf blades and their wilting. The only way to resolve this problem is by improving watering.

If the plant is kept in a cold room, its leaves will become soft, curl, and their tips will turn black. In this case, remove the affected leaves by hand and move the tree to a warmer location.

Dracaena can be affected by spider mites, aphids, scale insects, and thrips. These can be controlled by treating the shrub with insecticides. Suitable insecticides include Fitoverm and Actellic.

How to propagate and transplant a flower at home

It's recommended to repot the plant in early spring. A young plant requires repotting every 2-3 years, but a mature plant should only be repotted once its root system has completely filled the pot. Otherwise, simply replacing the top layer of soil is sufficient.

Each time you repot the plant, the new container should be 3-4 cm larger than the previous one. For soil, you can use a mixture of peat, coarse sand, compost, and leaf mold and turf soil, all mixed in equal amounts. You can also purchase ready-made palm soil.

Stages of transplantation:

1. Pour hot water over the pot.
2. Place a 3-4 cm drainage layer at the bottom of the pot. Expanded clay, pebbles, or fine crushed rock can be used for drainage.
3. Remove the flower from the old container and inspect the roots. Any rotted roots should be removed with a sharp blade.
4. Place the bush in a new pot along with the old lump of soil.
5. Fill the voids of the container with previously prepared soil.
6. Compact the soil gently.
7. Water the plant generously.

The photo will help you clearly understand the stages of shrub transplantation.

Dracaena is typically propagated by cuttings, as it's virtually impossible to produce seeds when growing indoors. The best and easiest time to propagate the shrub is in the spring or summer.

The cuttings are taken from the cut top of a tree or from stem cuttings. The cuttings can be rooted in water with activated charcoal added or in a mixture of damp sand and peat. Some gardeners treat the cut end of the cutting with phytohormones to speed up the rooting process. The cuttings should be covered with a glass container or a plastic bag to create greenhouse-like conditions.

The cutting, kept in a greenhouse, will develop roots within a month. Once roots appear, the cutting can be planted in permanent soil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Despite the fact that dracaenas are unpretentious houseplants, some gardeners still encounter difficulties when growing them.

The Tree of Happiness is an evergreen shrub whose exotic appearance makes a wonderful addition and decoration to any interior. It's easy to grow and requires little maintenance.