How to Fertilize Dracaena marginata 'Bicolor'
When Should I Start Feeding My Dracaena marginata 'Bicolor'?
As a tropical plant grown almost exclusively indoors, Dracaena marginata 'Bicolor' follows seasonal light patterns more than temperature, so begin feeding when daylight noticeably increases in your area.
How Often Should I Fertilize My Dracaena marginata 'Bicolor'?
Feed once a month from spring through late summer with a half-strength liquid fertilizer. Dracaena is a moderate grower that does not need heavy feeding.
Reduce to every 6-8 weeks in early fall, then stop completely for winter. Even though this plant stays green year-round indoors, its growth slows significantly when daylight hours drop.
If the leaf tips are browning, hold off on fertilizer and flush the soil with distilled water. Brown tips on Dracaena are more often caused by fluoride sensitivity or salt buildup than by any nutrient deficiency.
What Is the Best Fertilizer for Dracaena marginata 'Bicolor'?
A balanced liquid fertilizer with a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 NPK ratio is ideal for Dracaena marginata 'Bicolor'. This foliage plant needs steady, even nutrition rather than a boost in any one nutrient. Dilute to half the label strength every time.
Dracaena species are notably sensitive to fluoride, which causes brown leaf tips and margins. Avoid fertilizers containing superphosphate, which is high in fluoride. Look for products that list phosphorus sources other than superphosphate on the ingredient list.
Water the plant with distilled, filtered, or rain water if your tap water is fluoridated, since this sensitivity extends beyond just fertilizer.
How Do I Fertilize My Dracaena marginata 'Bicolor'?
Got More Questions?
About This Article
