Dracaena “colorama”

[Looking Glass]

So I put this common houseplant the the ground as a little accent splash of color.  
I believe that it’s Dracaena marginata “colorama”.  Anyone growing these in the ground out there?  Any pointers?  Growth rate?  I figure it will become spindly cotton candy puffs, sticking out, over the years.  

 

[Paradise Found]

One of the most brightly colored ones. I can't give you low temps hardiness, but it does grow kinda fast, mine is three time taller. photo is from 2018.  Although mine has lost some of it brightness, So next year will give it more sunlight. It's basically washed out, no pun intended. 

Edited December 4, 2021 by Paradise Found

[Paradise Found]

Just found this on the Net.... The more bright indirect light it gets, the pinker its leaves become until the green is  barely noticeable.

Sound like dabble shade! 

Yes, mine have gotten shorter leaves on top, like spikes but,  doesn't have its fullness to the leave down the trunk.

 

Edited December 4, 2021 by Paradise Found

[Looking Glass]

  On 12/4/2021 at 2:16 AM, Paradise Found said:

Just found this on the Net.... The more bright indirect light it gets, the pinker its leaves become until the green is  barely noticeable.

Sound like dabble shade! 

Yes, mine have gotten shorter leaves on top, like spikes but,  doesn't have its fullness to the leave down the trunk.

 

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This spot gets pretty sunny once you get up about 5-6 feet.  Dappled down low. They had like, 30+ of these at the nursery, in a part-sun spot, for about $10, and I’ve seen them around before, so I decided to give it a go.  Always looking for something to break up the green, and I’ve been a bit croton-happy lately.  Hopefully the iguanas don’t have a taste for them.   We shall see.  

I’ve seen the green-tops around here when they get tall and spindly, with their Pom-Pom heads.  Good for peeking out of the surrounding stuff hopefully.  

I imagine they could become something like these “borrowed” internet photos, in time…

[SHEP]

I was told that if they were getting too leggy (tall), you could cut it back, and they will come back.  I can't confirm this for a fact.  I prefer the bushy look. Cecile

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 12/9/2021 at 1:37 AM, SHEP said:

I was told that if they were getting too leggy (tall), you could cut it back, and they will come back.  I can't confirm this for a fact.  I prefer the bushy look. Cecile

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Yes, typically they will push new branches from dormant nodes when cut back. Sometimes you might only get one or two new branches, instead of several per cut end though.

[Looking Glass]

I think like Cordyline/Ti’s….  You cut the trunk and get a head or two to grow back there, then you stick the top back in the ground, and if all goes well, that grows some roots too.  

[Paradise Found]

Yeah Dracaena and Cordylines and Ti plants are very easy to cut back and have them grow back. Here is a large Dracaena that I cut back two months ago and it regrowing a new one on top and I may get more lower down.  You'll have to excuse the messy plant haven't clean it up yet.  The damage is from squirrels. Hugh!  I'm over wintering inside a shed that has heat and its still reaching the ceiling. lol. 

Edited December 13, 2021 by Paradise Found

[Looking Glass]

Well, I will say,  these are pretty trouble free and fast, so far.  The went from 1.5 feet high to 7 feet high in 15 months.  They seemed to lose some of the vibrant pink color and are more green with pink accents now.  But I never did push them or give them any extra care after planting…. Pretty much sun and warmth did this…

 

I think I’m going to seek out something in this family, but the deep maroon color variant, for elsewhere. 

Edited March 23, 2023 by Looking Glass

[Looking Glass]

Just an update on these…..   In a little under 3 years, they went from 3g triple, to 20 feet tall. They are way overhead and not overly colorful now.   Overdue for a chop down, whether it be to create more heads or for something else entirely.  Not my favorite plant.