Fragrant Dracaena or Dracaena fratrans is an evergreen shrub belonging to the genus Dracaena. It is unpretentious and, in part, for this reason, so popular for growing not only in the house, but also in offices.
Did you know? The word "dracaena" comes from the Greek "dracaena", meaning "female dragon", "dragon". Therefore, the plant is also called dragon tree, and the juice of some varieties - dragon's blood.
Fragrant Dracaena: plant features
Blooming fragrant dracaena has two types of flowers: either white or pale green, yellowish. They are located on the floral brush, reaching a meter in height. The inflorescences are beautiful, fluffy with a pleasant, fragrant aroma (which gave the name to the mind). This pronounced smell attracts insects and even several species of hummingbirds. Unfortunately, this plant, however, as well as other species of dracaena, for example, dracaena deremskaya, rarely blossoms at home.
Glossy green leaves with decorative stripes, the color of which varies from yellow to light green, are gathered into a rosette, have a curved shape, and in large plants they are often wavy. Can grow up to 1 m in length and 10 cm in width. In nature, dracaena reaches a height of 6 meters, and at home - a maximum of 2 meters. It grows extremely meleno, but lives long.
Some varieties, such as Massangeana, have an appearance similar to a palm tree.
Conditions for growing fragrant fragrant
It is better to place a homemade flower fragrant fragrant on the east or west window. The place should be bright, but without direct sunlight and no drafts.
Important! When there is insufficient light, dracaena varieties with variegated leaves lose their brightness.In the warm season, you can leave dragon flower on the balcony or in the garden, while not forgetting to protect the plant from direct sunlight. In winter, it is advisable to put the pot as close as possible to the windows or provide artificial lighting.
Comfortable temperature for dracaena fragrant will be a gap of + 18 ° С- + 25 ° С. At higher temperatures, take care of additional watering. For deciduous and decorative varieties such a temperature regime is maintained for a year, and for others it is reduced to + 15 ° C- + 17 ° C (but not lower) for the winter.
How to care for a plant
Dracena fragrant, like other popular species (deremskaya, marginata, Godsefa, bent) is not difficult to care for. And yet, if you want your plant to have a healthy look, then you should water it and fertilize it in a timely manner.
Did you know? The Dracene is also called the "tree of happiness", thanks to the Aztec legend, according to which the warrior, wanting to marry the daughter of the high priest, had to perform the task of the priest - to grow leaves on a stick stuck in the ground. He watered it for 5 days, and the couple’s love made a miracle - the dracaena grew. Since that time, it is believed that if you cut a piece of dracaena on the night of a full moon, it will bring happiness and love.
Watering and spraying
In spring and summer, as soon as the top layer of the substrate dries out by 2–3 cm (about once every 2 days) - burn it and pour the dracaena abundantly. We also need regular (2-3 times a week) spraying or wiping with a damp cloth.
In winter, at low temperatures, watering and spraying is reduced, but when the plant is in a warm room, near the battery - it will need to be watered and sprayed as well as in the summer. Use warm filtered or distilled water.
Important! Spraying is not recommended for spraying. If moisture remains between the leaves, and dust gets into it, then rotting can start, which will lead to the death of dracaena.
Feeding drayseny deremskoy: when and how to fertilize the plant
From mid-spring to the very autumn, complex liquid or granular fertilizer is applied once every 2 weeks. From autumn, fertilizing is reduced to half doses a maximum of 1 time per month or completely stopped.
The Basics of Fragrant Dracaena Trimming
Pruning preferably carried out in spring and summer. During this period, special substances are produced that help in the healing process. Fragrant dragon, like other home flowers, should not be pruned in winter. Exceptions may be emergencies, such as plant breakage. But it is not recommended to cut off the sick or weakened copies.
You need a sharp knife to trim. Choose at what height you want to get a branch (it is recommended to retreat 15-20 cm from the top) and in this place cut off the trunk. The upper part of the plant can be used to propagate it. 
When cutting, cut a fragrant fragrant cut with paraffin or crushed activated charcoal, wrap using sphagnum moss and a transparent bag, spray the stem several times a day. Place the plant in a warm (not below + 25 ° C) and dark place without drafts. Buds are formed in a month, then you can remove the moss and the package.
How and when to replant the plant
Transplanting fragrant dragon is recommended in the spring, but transplantation is allowed at other times of the year. Young plants are transplanted once every 2 years, mature ones - at 3. If the specimen is large, then you can do without transplantation, simply by replacing the top layer of the substrate.
In a new container, lay a 2-3 cm layer of drainage, then perlite or coarse sand, and then a special soil for ornamental deciduous plants. In the center, place the dracaena and gently pour it with the primer. Apply a little earth, water the plant and spray your tree of happiness. Put in a warm, shade. After the appearance of a new central leaflet, transplanted dracenum can be fertilized.
Important! Fragrant Dracaena is difficult to tolerate a transplant and may be ill for some time after the procedure.
Major pests and plant diseases
Dracaena fragran is sufficiently resistant to pests. But still, it can affect the aphid, mealybug, spider mite, thrips and scale insects. Damaged leaves of the plant drops, and therefore loses its decorative effect. To combat all of the above pests, wiping the leaves with a soap solution (for spider mites, its temperature should be + 50 ° C) and spraying with insecticides is suitable.
Burns on the leaves may occur as a result of exposure to bright sun. To avoid this - shade the pot. With improper care (insufficient watering, moisture, drafts, or the soil is saturated with fluorine, soluble salts), the foliage will dry, become stained or the tips will turn yellow.
Infectious diseases, such as light brown spot, fillostosis, alternariosis, also occur. For the most part, old plants are ill, which are poorly cared for. Several times, at intervals of 10 days, spray the dragon fruit fungicides.
Ways of breeding fragrant dracaena
Dracene fragrant breeding occurs in 2 ways: with the help of the tops of the plant or segments of stems.
Did you know? Dracaena juice is used for the manufacture of varnish, which is coated with metals, as well as for fabric dyes. Hair dyed on the basis of Dratsenov juice, get a lasting golden hue. The leaves of some varieties are used in the production of coarse fiber for ropes.
Apical cuttings
Cut off the top of the plant 10–15 cm in length with a sharp blade and place it in a dark, opaque container with water (you can add activated charcoal) or in a pot with soil and sand. Cover with a cap to create a greenhouse effect. 
Stalk lengths
Cut a 5-7 centimeter stem, on which there will be at least 2 buds, and place into a container filled with a layer of earth, and above it with sand. Cover with a bottle or jar and store in a warm place where direct sunlight does not fall. Spring is best for breeding, but it’s more a recommendation than a rule, just provide sprouts with a comfortable temperature. Water exclusively with warm water. Rooting usually takes 2-4 weeks.
If we talk about other decorative variegated species, such as dracaena deremskaya, Godsef, Reflex, then their reproduction is no different, unlike the green species, which also reproduce by seed.
As you can see, fragrant dracaena is a beautiful, fragrant and not at all difficult to care for plant. Stick to our advice, and for many years it will delight your eyes.
