The Houseplant With The Cool Name That You Can Grow Even In The Lowest Light

Houseplants can bring a range of benefits to your home. Unfortunately, if many of your rooms have few windows or additional lights, then that can significantly limit which plants can grow there. You're not without options, though, as there are still many stunning houseplants that can grow without tons of natural light. One of the best plants for adding foliage to especially dimly lit corners of your home is the unique (and uniquely named) Madagascar dragon tree (Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia).

As its name suggests, the Madagascar dragon tree is native to the African island nation of Madagascar. While it is only hardy outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10b and higher, it makes an excellent houseplant, ensuring that even gardeners in cooler zones can enjoy this distinct tree. While they can survive in low light conditions, the plants grow best with bright but indirect lighting. 

Though since Madagascar dragon trees can easily grow to 6 feet, even as a houseplant, their tendency to grow more slowly in dimmer spots may actually be beneficial if you want a smaller plant without having to do much pruning. Unfortunately, their foliage color is also not as good if they don't receive ideal lighting. So if you love the Madagascar dragon tree primarily for its bright green leaves with purple borders, you may want to provide it with decent lighting. 

Generally considered quite low maintenance, Madagascar dragon trees thrive in well-draining growing media and require little to no fertilizer. Let their potting mix dry out somewhat before watering, especially during the winter months. And be sure to use non-fluorinated water, as dragon trees are sensitive to fluoride. They also enjoy high humidity, so you may want to place your planter on a tray of pebbles and water to help maintain a higher humidity around the plant. 

Madagascar dragon trees are also quite sensitive to the cold, so find a spot for your plant that isn't drafty. The temperature should stay between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for the best results. And while your tree can handle everything from its preferred bright and indirect lighting to extremely low light, it needs to be kept out of direct sunlight to protect its leaves from burning. Don't forget to shine the plant's leaves on occasion, as well. 

If your dragon tree is starting to get a bit too tall for its space, you can prune back the top growth. Dragon trees are relatively easy to propagate from cuttings, so consider rooting these pruned sections. You can pass them along to friends or use them to decorate your home's other dimly lit corners.