Water Dracaena (Dracaena) when the top 2 to 3 centimeters of soil have dried out, which is usually every 7 to 10 days in active growth. Dracaena is sensitive to overwatering, so let excess water drain fully and never leave the pot sitting in a saucer of water. In winter, reduce watering for Dracaena to roughly every 14 to 21 days because the plant uses less water in cooler, lower-light conditions. Dracaena can develop brown leaf tips when watered with fluoride- or chlorine-heavy tap water, so use filtered or distilled water if tips brown. Water Dracaena until a little moisture escapes the drainage holes, then discard whatever collects beneath the pot.
Dracaena (Dracaena) grows best in bright, indirect light but tolerates medium and lower light with slower growth. Keep Dracaena out of harsh direct afternoon sun, which can scorch and bleach its leaves. A spot a meter or two back from an east- or north-facing window suits Dracaena well. If Dracaena begins to stretch toward the light or its variegation fades, move it to a brighter location. Rotate Dracaena a quarter turn each week so it grows evenly on all sides.
The cited reference lists Dracaena (Dracaena) as toxic to cats and dogs; ingestion can cause vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite, and dilated pupils in cats. Keep Dracaena out of reach of pets, and contact a veterinarian or a poison-control line if you suspect a cat or dog has chewed the plant. Dracaena contains saponins, which are the compounds the cited reference associates with these symptoms in cats and dogs. The cited reference notes that chewing Dracaena foliage may also cause depression and incoordination in affected animals. Place Dracaena on a high shelf or in a room your pets cannot enter to reduce the risk of ingestion.
Plant Dracaena (Dracaena) in a well-draining potting mix, such as a peat- or coir-based blend amended with perlite or bark. Choose a pot for Dracaena that has drainage holes, because standing water rots the roots. Repot Dracaena every 2 to 3 years, moving it up one pot size, ideally in spring as new growth begins. When repotting Dracaena, refresh the mix and gently loosen any circling roots before settling it at the same depth as before. Dracaena prefers being slightly snug in its pot, so avoid oversizing the container.
Brown leaf tips on Dracaena (Dracaena) usually point to fluoride in tap water, underwatering, or low humidity. Yellowing lower leaves on Dracaena are often a normal sign of aging, but widespread yellowing can indicate overwatering. Drooping or soft stems on Dracaena typically signal soggy soil and the early stages of root rot, so check that the mix drains freely. Pale or stretched growth on Dracaena means it is not receiving enough light and should be moved closer to a window. Inspect Dracaena regularly for spider mites and mealybugs, which can appear in dry indoor air and are treated by wiping the leaves and applying insecticidal soap.