Dracaena Fragrans Compacta

Compacta as the name suggests is a compact version of Dracaena fragrans. It has a thick green stem and superb, dense clumps of short, dark green leaves.

This is one variety of Dracaena whose leaves are not variegated; instead you get a wonderful rich and deep glossy green leaf.

Compacta is very definitely a stylish option and looks stunning in modern, contemporary settings.

Dracaena Compacta likes bright conditions and enjoys slightly raised humidity.

In the living room the plants can grow into large bushes and in nature they even grow into trees.

The Dracaena is not only from tropical Africa, but also from Asia and Central America, so the plant can easily adapt to the conditions in the living room.

Like all Dracaena it helps purify the surrounding air and removing hazardous substances such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air.

Temperature : The Compacta does best in average household temperatures: between 16-24°C, but can cope with as low as 12°C for short periods.

Lighting preference : Dracaena Compacta prefers medium to bright indirect light but, like most Dracaena, can tolerate a vast range of light levels, including partial shade. The darker the plant’s leaf, the more shade it can tolerate. In low light area they grow very slowly or not at all, tend to lose bottom leaves more quickly, and are easily over-watered.

Rotate dracaenas weekly so that they don’t grow toward the light, become one sided, and lose their beautiful shape..

 Irrigation of water : Only When Top Of Soil Gets Dry . Too much water can make its root decay. It will tolerate irregular watering rhythms and dry soil much better than too much water. Do not overwater as this will cause the leaf tips to blacken.

Dark brown tips usually indicate the following: too much chlorine or fluoride in the water, water is too salty (never use water that has passed through a softener), or too much plant food. Muddy brown leaf tips on new growth means the plant needs more water.

If a Dracaena gets discolored leaves, this is probably due to too much water. If there are spots or brown edges on the leaves, the cause is too much light. Curled leaves indicate drought, if you notice this, the plant has been dry for too long in the past or this is the case when you see this.

 Humidity : A medium humid environment. Only spray the Dracaena occasionally to remove dust from the leaves and prevent vermin. Spraying also promotes the quality and decorative value of the houseplant.

Fertilization and feeding :Slow growing plants like the dracaena compacta, require very little fertilizer. Feed only twice a year, once in the spring and once in the summer, and be sure to dilute the plant food to 1/2 the recommended stength.

 Flowering : Dracaena rarely flower, when they do, I recommend immediately cutting off the flowers. Allowing the flowers to stay on the plant may distort the growth pattern of the plant and ruin its shape.

 Soil : Use a good, loose houseplant soil that drains quickly.

 Toxicity :The sap of the Dracaena Compacta is toxic to animals. It is not considered poisonous to humans but should not be ingested.

 Pot Size : It is best to repot a Dracaena once every two years in a larger pot. The best period for repotting is spring or immediately after the plant has been purchased. A larger pot will stimulate growth and the advantage is a larger buffer soil so that the water is spread more and there is less chance of root rot. Always take a pot that is 20 to 25% larger and do not use Hydro pellets on the bottom of the pot. It is best to use a plastic insert cover for large pots.

Pruning : Quickly remove dead or dying canes. Prune brown or yellow leaf tips with a wet scissors. A Dracaena is a relatively slow grower and is best pruning in the fall. The advantage of this is that the plant receives more light and remains more compact. The Dracaena will branch “at every branch where it has been pruned”. This gives you a nice full room or office plant. Use a secateurs for this

 Diseases : With the thick and full plants occasionally look at the leaves and stems to see if there are any pests there. Common diseases are shield or aphid. Mealybugs can also occur due to drafts on the plant. Use a biological “or if desired” a chemical pesticide to treat the plants.

 Air Purification : The Dracaena is not only a great indoor plant to see, it is also one of the most air-purifying indoor plants that exist. The plant removes various substances such as trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde. Dracaena has even been named one of the most air-purifying houseplants on behalf of NASA.