Repot dragon tree: Instructions & expert tips

A dragon tree can be a loyal companion as a houseplant for years. This loyalty should be rewarded with occasional repotting.

the dragon tree (dracaena) is very frugal when it comes to the demands on its care. However, to ensure that you can enjoy your dragon tree permanently - i.e. for many years - you should repot it at regular intervals. We explain how it works in 8 steps.

Repot dragon tree: Why?

The dragon tree is often sold in the root ball, whereby the plant substrate often has a high peat content. Due to the grain size spectrum, the plant substrate tends to sag and compact when watered regularly. The permeability of the earth suffers greatly as a result and the availability of oxygen plummets. However, the dragon tree is an oxygen-loving plant, which is why the deficiency can seriously affect it. Repotting also means loosening up or replacing the substrate, which can give your dragon tree new vitality. Therefore, when renewing the plant substrate, use something with a balanced grain size spectrum, for example with a higher percentage of perlite.

Repot dragon tree: When is the right time?

The dragon tree shows its strongest growth in spring. Although in our latitude it can only grow in closed rooms, it is nevertheless influenced by the increased radiation intensity. The right time for regular repotting is before the increased growth in spring. If pest infestation, root rot or the like should occur in the meantime, it is of course advisable to repot the dragon tree at any time.

Instructions for repotting the dragon tree

The repotting of your dracaena is not absolutely necessary, but can give your dragon tree new vitality. If you do not repot for too long, it can lead to reduced growth and wilted leaves. The regular best time to repot your dragon tree is generally before the peak growth period in spring. After repotting, the roots can then unfold in the fresh and permeable substrate and fully fill the new habitat.

Repot dragon tree: Choosing a suitable substrate for repotting

The substrates in which the dragon tree is usually sold are often characterized by a high percentage of peat. Due to its high proportion of organic material, peat tends to sink and compact with regular watering. By mixing in volcanic rock granules or similar draining substrates when repotting, you can increase permeability and ensure better oxygen supply.

Prepare dragon tree for repotting

You can make the start in the new pot much easier for your dragon tree if you water the root ball vigorously again after removing the plant from the previous pot. You can also immerse the root ball in a bath for a short time so that the soil is completely saturated. By watering, you protect your dragon tree from being deprived of water by the new, possibly drier substrate.

Repot the dragon tree into a larger pot

It is important to meet the dragon tree's growth requirements. When choosing the new vessel, make sure that it is at least 2 to 3 centimeters larger in diameter than the old vessel. In order to ensure rapid growth in the new substrate, it is important to water the newly potted dragon tree sufficiently. The initially relatively dry substrate must be completely soaked so that the moisture is not directly removed from the old root ball.

Caring for dragon tree after repotting

After repotting, the dragon tree requires little attention when it comes to its care. Once your darling has arrived in its new home and has established itself in the new planter, continue with the care as usual. During spring and early summer we advise regular fertilization. A liquid fertilizer like ours is very suitable Plantura organic indoor and green plant fertilizer. If an unsightly growth habit develops, you can restore the desired shape with a care cut. Accurate instructions and valuable Dragon tree care tips and Pruning your dragon tree can be found in our special articles.

Find a suitable location for the dragon tree

The optimal lighting conditions for the dragon tree depend entirely on the color of its leaves. Has her dracaena rather light leaves with more green parts, you should choose a semi-shady location to avoid radiation damage. If your dragon tree tends to have a reddish colour, there are more anthocyanins in the leaves, which protect against damage from radiation, which is why it also feels comfortable in a location in full sun.

Here is a summary of the most important things about repotting the dragon tree:

• Water the dragon tree vigorously before repotting
• The circumference of the new vessel should be at least 2 - 3 cm larger than the old one
• Mixing in volcanic rock granules increases permeability and ensures better air supply
• Water the dragon tree sufficiently after repotting
• Then proceed with maintenance as normal

Our tip: If you want to avoid regular repotting, you can consider growing a dragon tree hydroponically. Here, the dragon tree is cultivated in a substrate made of permeable volcanic rock to give it support. The nutrient supply is operated solely via the water enriched with nutrients. The advantage is that it has to be repotted much less frequently than when growing in a commercially available substrate.

In addition to repotting, there are other care measures that should be carried out regularly on the dragon tree. What exactly are you doing at the Care of dragon trees you should pay attention to, you can find out in this article.