Dracaena draco, Canary Island dragon tree. C20/30

It is commonly known as Drago de Canarias, Drago or Draco.

The Drago is an arboreal plant with a thick, branched trunk that resembles the Yuccas and Cordyline and can grow to over 10 metres in height. The leaves are pointed and of an attractive bluish-green colour.

The yellowish flowers it produces are of no ornamental interest and appear in large clusters above the foliage. They flower in spring. Finally, they produce globular fruits that are first green and then orange.

The Drago is a very slow-growing plant which is used as isolated specimens, in rockeries in groups of a few specimens or in pots for greenhouses, patios and terraces.

This plant can thrive in full sun or semi-shade. Although it can withstand temperatures of 0°C, it is best not to subject it to temperatures below 5°C; in winter a rest at 8-10°C is favourable.

It likes a soil with a mixture of 1/3 of very decomposed leaf mould, 1/3 garden soil and 1/3 coarse sand. In case of transplanting it is done in spring with great care as its roots are quite delicate.

It should always be watered moderately, waiting until the soil is dry or almost dry before watering again; in summer it is usually watered 2-3 times a week if it is very hot.

It should be lightly fertilised with compost at the beginning of spring.

The only pruning they need is the removal of old leaves in late winter as well as the removal of withered flower stalks.

It is a fairly resistant plant to the usual pests but sensitive to fungal diseases due to excess humidity.

They are propagated from seeds sown in a slightly moist sandy substrate or by stem or tip cuttings. Both processes are rather slow so it is best to purchase new specimens from garden centres, nurseries or plant shops.