Dragon tail plant (Epipremnum Pinnatum) is a flowering plant in the Araceae family, and it’s known by a number of different names: entipede tongavine and dragon-tail plant.
In the Phillippines, it’s called tibatib. It’s native to Northern Australia and travels its way down through Malaysia and Indochina into southern China, Taiwan, Japan, and as far as Melanesia.
Dragon tail plants are pretty easy to grow, and they’re popular houseplants because they aren’t too big or too small: they’re about 4m to 8m tall, which makes them perfect for small homes with limited space.
Dragon tail is a lovely evergreen plant that grows well in containers or in the ground, and it can adapt to many different soil types.
As long as the plant is kept moist, it will have glossy and healthy leaves all year long.
The plant easily attaches itself to sticks or other plants with its vines which means they can be grown as a climbing plant.
How to Grow Dragon Tail Plant?
Dragon Tail Plant is a gorgeous, unique species of climbing plant that can be grown in a variety of ways.
When growing Dragon Tail Plant indoors, you will want to give it bright indirect light and loves warmth and humidity.
In order to successfully grow this lovely plant, you will need a totem, something for it to climb on and around.
Totems are extremely important when growing Dragon Tail Plant, as they provide the right amount of support and stability that the plant needs to climb upwards.
Some options for totems include sphagnum moss and coconut fibre.
If you live in an area where your plant can be outdoors, it can even climb on trees!
How To Take Care of Dragon Tail Plant?
Water:
The first thing that you need to do is water dragon tail plants regularly.
Although they are fairly drought tolerant and will survive in dry conditions longer than most other house plants, they need to be watered regularly if they are going to thrive.
Water them every week or two during the growing season, and give them slightly less in the winter months.
The general rule of thumb is that when the top 2″ of soil becomes dry, it’s time for a watering.
If the dragon tail leaves are curling down or drooping, it may mean they’re not getting enough water.
If that’s the case, try upping the frequency of your watering schedule or using more water per session.
If the leaves are wilting but aren’t turning yellow, move them to a well-lit spot and reduce watering until new leaves begin to form.
Light:
Dragon tail plants are going to need a lot of light they’re used to growing in jungles, after all, so you’ll want to make sure you give them as much bright indirect sunlight as possible.
Temperature:
Dragon tail plant comes from the tropical and subtropical rainforests, where it grows in a climate that ranges from 70-85 degrees farenheit.
The temperature requirement for dragon tail plant is around 72 degrees Fahrenheit. But this plant does best between 65 and 75 degrees.
They are not frost hardy at all, so it’s very important to keep them away from cold drafts.
Fertilizer:
You can choose from our wide selection at your local garden store or online.
We recommend fertilizers made for houseplants, since many of them contain the nutrients your dragon tail plant will need to remain healthy and lush.
Just be sure to read the package carefully before applying any fertilizer to your dragon tail plant so you know exactly what you’re working with.
Make sure to feed your dragon tail plant monthly during spring and summer; that way, it will continue to grow new leaves and look beautiful for years and years to come.
Repotting:
We know that you love your dragon tail plant, but sometimes it can get crowded and cramped in that little pot.
That’s why it’s important to repot once every 1-2 years, it gives your dragon tail plant the room it needs to grow, while also giving you a chance to freshen up the potting mix and make sure its soil is properly hydrated.
We recommend choosing a new pot that’s one size up from the dragon tail plant’s current container (don’t go too much bigger than that, or else it might impede the plant’s root growth).
Next, use a fresh potting mix and water it until the excess water drains out of the bottom of the planter.
Propagation:
You can propagate a Dragon tail from its stem cutting.
To do this, select a stem with two to three leaves. When selecting the stem, look for a healthy one that is free from insects or disease.
Next, you need to make a cut on the main stem about 10 to 15 cm long.
Then, place the cutting in a bowl of water and allow it to sit for approximately one month. The roots should begin to form after that time.
After the roots have grown 8-12 cm, transplant them into a fresh potting mixture and water then regularly.
Pests and Diseases:
The dragon tail plant is healthy in many situations, but can be infected by pests and disease if it is not kept in an environment that is warm, humid, and clean.
The most common pests and diseases include mealybugs, fungus gnats, spider mites.
Mealybugs: These pests infest plants with their egg sacs. They are hairy and tend to cluster near buds and flowers. Their hard shells protect them from most insecticides.
To keep these bugs at bay, remove the eggs with tweezers, and use an insecticide that contains neem oil or pyrethrin, make sure to spray the plant thoroughly, and repeat if needed.
Fungus gnats: These insects live in moist or soggy soils. The adult is a small black fly with fringed wings; the larva is white and wormlike.
Use yellow sticky traps to catch adults, and use insecticides containing malathion or pyrethrin to kill the larva. Always check for root rot in plants treated with chemicals; if this happens, replant immediately.
Root Rot: They could also be suffering from root rot if their leaves are drooping or wilting. This is caused by water that stays in the pot for too long and doesn’t drain well. You might want to try repotting them if you’re seeing this problem!
FAQ
How fast does Dragon tail plant grow?
Dragon tail plant, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a fast-growing houseplant that can grow anywhere from 2 to 3 feet per year.
Can Dragon Tail Plant be grown hydroponically?
Yes, Dragon Tail Plant can be grown hydroponically.
Are Dragon Tail Plants toxic?
Yes, Dragon tails are toxic to humans and pets.
But don’t worry, because this doesn’t mean the plant is bad, or that you shouldn’t bring it into your home.
It just means you’ll want to keep an eye on it and make sure it’s out of reach of little ones’ hands.
There is plant sap that comes from the leaves, stems, flowers and roots.
The sap from the leaves can cause rashes and redness on your skin if you get some on yourself when handling this plant.
Conclusion:
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post.
I have been growing dragon tails for a long time, and I enjoy sharing what I have learned.
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