Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Dragon Tree
Dragon Tree is a slow-growing succulent tree with a thick gray trunk and crowns of stiff, blue-green sword leaves. It stays a single trunk for years, then branches into a broad umbrella shape. It is a strong specimen for a courtyard or entry, and it stays evergreen. Once rooted it needs only deep, infrequent water.
Best for: a sculptural specimen in a courtyard or entry, a slow-growing accent that stays in scale for years, and low-water, well-drained beds.
The thick trunk and stiff blue-green leaves make it a focal point in a courtyard or by an entry. Give it room to spread 15 to 25 feet over time.
It grows slowly and stays a single trunk for many years before branching. A young plant keeps its size in a bed or large pot for a long time.
Once it flowers, it forks into heavy branches and slowly builds a broad umbrella crown. Old trees reach 15 to 30 feet.
Soil that stays wet is the easiest way to kill it, and the leaves can be damaged near 23°F. It is also toxic to dogs and cats if chewed, so keep it away from dog runs.
Water a new plant into dry soil, then give deep soaks with dry spells between them. Never let the root zone stay wet, which is the easiest way to kill it. Keep it almost dry in winter.
Plant it where water drains away fast. It will not tolerate wet feet, so avoid low spots where water collects.
It takes short cold snaps down to about 23°F. Colder nights burn the leaves. Cover young plants with frost cloth on hard freeze nights.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does a dragon tree get?
Old trees reach about 15 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. It takes many years to get there, since it grows very slowly.
How fast does it grow?
It grows slowly, staying a single, unbranched trunk for years and branching only after it flowers. Plan on a long-term specimen.
How often should I water a dragon tree?
Water it deeply but not often. Let the soil dry out between soaks and never let the root zone stay wet. Keep it almost dry in winter.
How cold can it take?
It takes short cold snaps down to about 23°F, and colder nights can burn the leaves. Cover young plants with frost cloth on hard freeze nights.
Is dragon tree toxic to pets?
Yes. Dracaena is toxic to dogs and cats and can cause vomiting and drooling if chewed. The red sap can irritate skin. Keep pets from chewing it.
Does it need full sun?
It grows in full sun or part shade. Either way, plant it in fast-draining soil where water never puddles.
Does it flower?
Mature trees bear clusters of small greenish-white flowers in late spring, followed by orange berries, and bees visit the flowers.
Why is it called a dragon tree?
Cut or damaged bark bleeds a red resin known as dragon's blood. The tree comes from the Canary Islands and nearby islands.
Dragon Tree for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Dragon Tree is a slow, sculptural succulent tree from the Canary Islands. Below are the questions people ask most, from how big and how fast it grows to sun, water, drainage, cold, flowers and pets.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Does dragon tree grow in Phoenix?
Yes, in well-drained soil. It handles Valley heat and takes short cold snaps to about 23°F. Wet roots are the main risk.
How fast does a dragon tree grow?
It grows very slowly, staying a single trunk for years and branching only after it flowers. It is a long-term specimen.
How big does Dracaena draco get?
Old trees reach about 15 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. Young plants stay in scale for many years, so it works in a courtyard for a long time.
How to water a dragon tree
Give it deep, infrequent soaks and let the soil dry between them. Never let the root zone stay wet, and keep it almost dry in winter.
Is dragon tree safe for dogs and cats?
No. Dracaena is toxic to dogs and cats if chewed, causing vomiting and drooling. Keep pets from chewing the leaves.
Sculptural trees for a courtyard in Arizona
Dragon tree builds a thick trunk and an umbrella of blue-green sword leaves over the years. It is used as a strong specimen or courtyard tree.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.