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Why Plant Lovers Can’t Get Enough of the Seussian Dragon Tree Right Now

Rachel Lapidos

September 25, 2020

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Photo: Getty Images/Vladimir Timotijevic

The quickest way to make your home space feel more, well, homey is to add a houseplant (or two or three) to the room. Any type of plant will do the trick, since they all add a sense of groundedness, greenery, and texture to a windowsill or shelf. But if you're looking for a houseplant that's going to really up the ante of your Instagram posts, there's one plant in particular that insiders are dubbing the one to watch: the dragon tree plant.

The dracaena marginata, or dragon tree, is a type of tree that grows long, thin, needle-shaped green leaves edged in a gorgeous red color that sit on top of the plant's trunk. (Dracaena means female dragon in Greek mythology, BTW.) It looks spiky, but in a nice, cool way, versus the more prickly cactus spike variety. Erin Marino, director of brand marketing at The Sill, says that it's a trending plant in the plant shop's community right now, and it's been a "tried and true" houseplant for a long time.

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Erin Marino, former director of brand marketing at The Sill

"They seem to be coming back into the spotlight because of how hardy they are and how large they can grow indoors," says Marino of the dragon tree. "Who doesn't want a tree in their home as we approach winter?" She has a point: Colder temperatures mean being cooped up indoors, so why not bring the outside in? Though the dracaena plant has a number of varieties, Marino is partial to the marginata because "it's a little funky," she says. "Some larger, mature species look straight out of a Dr. Suess book." (I don't know about you, but my dream home aesthetic is Seussville.)

Oh, and good news for those without green thumbs: The dragon tree is a great houseplant for beginners. "They're super easy to care for," says Marino. "They do best in bright, indirect light, but can tolerate medium to low indirect light. They're resilient." You only need to water it every one-to-two weeks if it's getting bright indirect light (so that becomes less frequent in the winter). "Make sure to allow the potting mix to dry out between waterings." Then, you're good to go. Keep scrolling to shop for a chic dragon tree to spruce up that empty corner you've been ignoring.

1. The Sill Dracaena, $39

When you buy a dragon tree from The Sill, you'll get the gorgeous plant along with the shop's cream planter... so it's already camera ready.

Shop now: The Sill Dracaena, $39

2. ZJSSTOP Madagascar Dracaena Marginata, $18

Snag one of these easy-to-grow plants from ZJSSMART on Amazon to add a pop to your indoor garden variety.

Shop now: ZJSSTOP Madagascar Dracaena Marginata, $18

3. Costa Farms Dracaena Marginata, $16

The sword-like leaves of this baby will function as tall, funky foliage in any corner of your home.

Shop now: Costa Farms Dracaena Marginata, $16

4. Natty Garden Dracaena Marginata, $60

This dragon tree is bound to sprout its Suess-like spikes tall and proud, making for a really fun piece of home decor (that lives and breathes, too).

Shop now: Natty Garden Dracaena Marginata, $60

5. My Crazy Plant Life Dracaena Marginata Kiwi, $25

Get your on-trend dragon tree from this Tampa, Florida-based plant shop, or pick it up locally—either way, your houseplant collection will be upgraded with this baby tree.

Shop now: My Crazy Plant Life Dracaena Marginata Kiwi, $25