Question
We have what I believe is a dracaena dragons, the leaves are solid green as opposed to varigated.  It is about six or seven feet tall and almost to the ceiling.  How do I cut it back without killing it and how do I propogate the part that I cut off.  The plant is healthy and growing well.  It probably could stand to be repotted.  How do I take care of this without killing it.  We have had it since 1996-97.

Answer
Hi BJ,

There are several different Dracaenas that fit that description, but the answer is pretty much the same for all of them.

Any healthy stem can be cut back to any height. New growth will later emerge from just below the point on the stem where you made the pruning cut and grow upward from there.

The top cutting can be roted in moist potting mix in a small pot. Shorter tip cuttings root more readily than longer tip cuttings. Dracaena marginatas should be rooted inside a clear plastic humidity tent. If that is what you have and you are unfamiliar with a humidity tent, let me know and I will explain it.

You have 10 years of success. Why do you want to spoil it by repotting it? I can nearly guarantee that it does not need repotting and that you will have serious problems several months from now if you do. If you want a detailed explanation, email me and request my article on repotting.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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