Dracaena Marginata Open Weave Care & Propagation

Last Updated on June 9, 2022 by Admin

The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave is a unique looking plant because of how its stems are patterned.

It comes with multiple stems, usually 4, which form an open weave.

This gives you a very stunning looking structure below its leaves.

As with other Dracaena varieties, this will grow into a tall plant. And its overall shape makes it a great attention piece in any home.

The plant is known for its air purifying ability, low maintenance and easy to care for as well.

How do you care for the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave? Medium to bright indirect light is ideal. It will tolerate low light. But avoid excess direct sunlight.

Being a tropical plant, it enjoys warm, humid conditions. Keep it away from the cold as it is not frost hardy. Use well-draining soil and always let part of the soil dry between waterings.

Table of Contents

Dracaena Marginata Open Weave Plant Care

Light Requirements

The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave thrives in well-lit locations. Ideally, it prefers bright indirect light indoors.

Although, it will do quite well in medium light as well.

The plant also has no problem with low light. However, for optimal growth and to maintain its lovely leaf color, medium to bright indirect or filtered light is idea.

Note that while the plant itself will do okay in low light, you always want to monitor its leaf color. Less light will affect how them look and their vibrancy as well.

Similarly, you do want to monitor how much light the plant is getting if you decide to keep it in low light.

That’s because there’s such a thing a too little light.

If light is insufficient, the plant will grow slower, won’t grow as big as it should and will produce fewer leaves.

The leaves will also be smaller and won’t keep the color they normally have.

That’s because like all plants, the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave requires light for photosynthesis.

This is how it produces its energy which in turn the plant uses to grow. Photosynthesis relies on light. And it uses this light to produce sugars (or food) which gives it energy.

So, the less light it receives, the less energy there is to push growth.

On the other hand, you also want to avoid excess light.

While the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave will do well in medium to bright light, it is always important to avoid strong or intense light.

That’s because it cannot tolerate more than a few hours of this kind of intensity on a daily basis.

Too much harsh lighting will eventually burn the plant’s leaves.

Thus, the best way to avoid this is to keep the plant away from the direct rays of the sun. This ensures that you don’t end up with damaged foliage or discolored leaves.

The most important thing is to stay away from the mid-day sun which is when it is hottest.

This comes in from the south facing window.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Although, the plant will tolerate temperatures between 55 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit without any problems or issues.

Thus, it is easy to accommodate at home or in the office.

However, you still want to watch out for a few hidden dangers as these can be sneaky.

The most important thing is the cold.

The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave is a tropical plant. As such, it is used to weather that is fairly warm and consistently stays that way throughout the year.

More importantly, there are no winters in the tropics.

In fact, there are no cold months either. The only 2 seasons you get are sunny and rainy.

So, the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave has low temperature tolerance for the cold. And it has problems with conditions below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Therefore, you want to avoid leaving it near air conditioners, vents or cold drafts.

Similarly, any location that can get cold is a no-no for this plant.

Another thing to consider is temperature fluctuations. The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave does not like them.

So, avoid positions where the temperature can suddenly go up or down quite a bit.

These conditions will cause the plant to experience temperature stress.

Humidity

The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave does well in a wide range of humidity levels. It is easy to care for because it will grow well in average room humidity.

Although, given a choice, the plant will prefer high humidity.

As with other Dracaena species, the Marginata Open Weave comes from a tropical region. As such, it is not only used to warm climate but also high humidity.

Ideally, the plant likes humidity between 60% and 80%.

The good news is that while it will grow optimally in this environment, it does not mind average home humidity (30% to 50%).

This means that in most cases, you don’t have to take any special measures to keep the plant healthy.

However, I have noticed that occasional misting will benefit the plant.

This is optional, of course.

So, if you have the time, you can mist the plant with a little spray of water.

But be careful not to over spray it.

Too much moisture on the leaves can lead to fungal diseases. The plant is prone to leaf spot infections which means that you want to be wary to getting the leaves wet.

Water spots and wet leaves that don’t dry quickly enough can be harmful to the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave.

Thus, a much better option would be to use a pebble tray.

Not only does it require less maintenance it also eliminates the risk of wetting the leaves.

How Often to Water Dracaena Marginata Open Weave

The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave does not need a lot of water. In general it requires moderate watering.

As such, while it does enjoy moist soil especially during the warmer months of the year, you never want to leave it in soggy or mucky soil.

If you see the surface of the soil have this texture, it means you’re probably watering the plant too often.

As such, drain the excess liquid or tip the plant on an angle to get the excess liquid drip out.

This is very important as the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave is prone to overwatering and root rot. So, while it does not like the soil going completely dry, it is more dangerous to water the plant too frequently.

The key is to avoid both extremes.

Too much water will leave the roots in excess moisture. This will cause them to get suffocated.

But letting the roots go dry especially for long periods of time will likewise harm the plant.

That said, of the two situations, overwatering is much worse for the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave compared to underwatering.

That’s because the plant can tolerate dryness better.

And it will recover faster from lack of water.

On the other hand, when overwatered, there’s a risk of the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave experiencing root rot. And if this is not caught early enough, it can eventually kill the plant.

Thus, always err on the side of dry when it comes to this Dracaena species.

And the best way to know when to water is to feel the soil.

Stick your finger into the soil down 2 inches (this is about the second knuckle in your index finger). If the soil at that depth feels completely dry, then it is time to water.

Never water when the soil at that level is moist or wet.

Alternatively, you can use a moisture meter if you don’t like getting your hands dirty.

Dracaena Marginata Open Weave Potting Soil

The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave does best in well-draining potting soil with pH between 6.0 to 6.5.

You can likewise go with regular potting soil.

However, with the latter, it is always a good idea to monitor how much the soil retains moisture.

Since the plant is prone to overwatering, you do not want to use soil that holds too much liquid. Otherwise, you end up with waterlogging.

This will cause overwatering and potentially lead to root rot.

As such, it is a good idea to use well-draining soil to avoid all these potential issues.

That said, the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave does well in regular potting soil. As such, you can use the store bough potting mix you already have.

If you’re like me and prefer to make your own DIY potting mix for the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave, here’s a simple recipe that works very well. Just combine:

1 part potting soil
1 part perlite

You can likewise substitute pumice for perlite if you wish.

If you prefer something that provides even more aeration, you can go with this mixture.

1 part potting soil
1 part clay pebbles

In either case, I do like to add a 1/4 inch layer of worm compost on the soil for topdressing. This will give the plant some slow-release nutrients.

Last by not least, don’t forget to use a pot with sufficient drainage.

Holes at the bottom of the container will allow any excess liquid that drains from the soil to drip out instead of build up in the pot.

Fertilizer

Use a balanced water soluble fertilizer to help the plant grow optimally.

Of course, you can opt not to feed the plant. But from what I’ve seen, the difference between a fertilized and unfertilized plant after just a year is significant.

The size, development, amount of leaves and color vary quite a bit that it is not ideal to go without fertilizer.

That said, because the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave is not fussy about fertilizer, you do get to pick from many different kinds.

The most common is a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the suggested strength. Apply this once a month during the spring and summer.

Don’t feed the plant during fall and winter.

In case you see that the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave is not growing as it should, you can increase application to once very 2 weeks.

That said, never feed the plant more than it needs because this increases the risk of fertilizer burn.

On the other hand, you can likewise go with slow-release fertilizer if you prefer to apply less times during a year.

If you’re on a budget, check out fish fertilizer (aka fish emulsion).

I will warn you about the initial fishy odor though. But fish emulsion works just as well too.

Of course, you can skip fertilizer all together and amend the soil instead.

You can add a layer of worm compost then another layer of compost every spring to keep the plant happy.

Pruning

The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave is a beautiful plant with weaved stems.

And in most cases, you’ll be buying a small to medium sized plant that can be placed on a tabletop.

But after a while, be ready to move it to the floor as its size will be too big for shelves or countertops.

Height and space are usually the biggest issues that most home gardeners will face with this plant. It will get big reaching 4 to 8 feet indoors.

This is why some owners will prune the top off the plant to control its size.

Its leaves won’t grow overly long or take up tons of space. So for the most part it is really about the growth of the plant.

How to Propagate Dracaena Marginata Open Weave

Dracaena Marginata Open Weave propagation is often done via top cutting. This is also called stem tip cutting.

Although, you can also propagate the plant using stem cuttings, air layering or division.

Note that each of the methods are different.

And they have different results as well.

Top cutting is the simplest propagation method in my opinion. But you can only propagate one new plant at a time.

Stem cuttings take more of the stem than top cutting. As such, less of the stem is left with the mother plant. But you can cut up the longer stem into sections. And each of these stem cuttings can grow into a new plant.

Air layering takes more work as you need to keep the new roots moist and wrapped up.

Division is ideal if your current Dracaena Marginata Open Weave is quite large, and you want to reduce its size. Here, you’ll split the root system of the mother plant into 2 or more smaller, new plants.

All the propagation methods above work. But they differ in process and also result.

In most cases, since you’ll only want to propagate one new Dracaena Marginata Open Weave, top cutting is used.

Propagating the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave using Top Cutting

To propagate the Dracaena Marginata Open Weave from top cuttings, take a healthy top cut. This is just a top part of the plant.

You want to cut just below the leaf line. But make sure that there is at least one node included in the cutting.

Nodes are crucial since the new plant won’t propagate successfully if the cutting does not have a single node.

Nodes are the white, round bumps on the stems.

You should be able to see them. If you’re not sure, run your fingers down the stem and feel for bumps, these are the nodes.

Once you’ve gotten the cutting, plant it into a pot with well-draining soil.

Water the soil and keep it moist. Also, place the pot in medium to bright indirect light.

In a few weeks, the roots will grow and start establishing themselves into the soil.

Don’t worry about the mother plant as the part where you made the top cut will grow back again.

How to Repot or Transplant Dracaena Marginata Open Weave

The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave will need repotting as it gets bigger. On average it will need repotting every 2 or 3 years.

However, don’t repot the plant unnecessarily.

Instead, wait until the plant is root bound before you move it.

You’ll be able to tell by checking the surface of the soil and the bottom of the pot once a year during spring.

If you see roots sneaking out from the bottom of the pot’s drainage holes or circling the pot, it means the roots have outgrown their space in the container.

Thus, it is time to repot.

Spring is the best time to repot the plant. So, you can start preparing to do so.

When repotting, select a pot that is one size larger. Also replace the potting soil with fresh mix.

Is It Toxic/Poisonous to Humans, Cats & Dogs

The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave is not pet friendly. It is toxic not just to cats and dogs but also to humans.

And every part of the plant is toxic.

Therefore, it is a good idea to keep the plant away from young children and pets.

Dracaena Marginata Open Weave Problems & Troubleshooting

Pests

The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave is not very prone to pests. But it is a favorite victim of spider mites. So, you want to keep an eye out for them.

It is also worth noting that mealybugs and aphids can come around especially when the plant is stressed, weak or not feeling its best.

Thus, regular inspection is still necessary.

If you see any of these bugs, treat them as soon as possible. Don’t let them grow into an infestation.

I like to just spray them off with a hose. A good stream of water works well. But make sure you are thorough since leaving any eggs, larvae or adults will make the entire cycle start over again in just a few days.

Diseases

The Dracaena Marginata Open Weave is not prone to diseases. However, excess moisture can put it at risk of issues.

Root rot is something to always watch out for because the plant is susceptible to overwatering and potentially rotting roots.

As such, wait until part of the soil is dry before you add more water.

Additionally, don’t water above the plant or wet the leaves unnecessarily.

This can increase the risk of fungal infections.