In this article, we’ll explain the basics of growing and caring for the dragon arum lily, so you can enjoy its beauty safely.
You may be wondering why your garden center doesn’t carry dragon arum plants. It’s not because they’re difficult to grow (on the contrary, they’re quite easy), it’s because the plants are poisonous.
Don’t let that discourage you, though! The dragon arum lily is a gorgeous addition to any garden, and with a little bit of care, you can have one blooming in your yard too.
What Is the Dragon Lily Plant?
The dragon lily, scientifically known as the dragon arum, is an exotic plant that can be a fun addition to your garden or flower bed. With its unusual blooms and spiky leaves, it’s sure to turn heads and spark conversations.
This plant is an herbaceous perennial that typically grows from 2 to 3 feet tall. It produces a single, upright spike of flowers that are a deep burgundy color. The blooms last for only a day or two, but they’re well worth the wait. The leaves are also quite striking, with their deep green color and sharp points.
Where is it from?
The dragon lily plant is native to the Mediterranean region. It’s a perennial that grows from a bulb, and it typically blooms in late spring or early summer.
The plant gets its name from the shape of its bloom, which does indeed resemble a dragon’s head. The flowers are white with a greenish tinge, and they’re surrounded by dark green leaves. Make sure you have enough space for it before you start planting.
Can we grow the Dragon Lily at home?
Yes, the dragon lily plant can be grown at home in the United States. It’s a fun project that can add some excitement to your garden.
It is not difficult to cultivate a dragon lily plant because the plant is resilient and may thrive in a variety of soil conditions. It thrives in direct sunlight but can also survive in shaded conditions. You will need to make sure that it is watered on a consistent basis, particularly during the months of summer.
The plant will bloom in the late spring or early summer, and the flowers will last for several weeks. The flowers are a deep red and are quite showy. After the flowers fade, the fruit will start to grow. The fruit is green and looks like a small pumpkin.
Growing in Containers
Now let’s talk about the best way to grow your Dragon Lily if you’re limited on space or gardening in containers. While the Dragon Lily prefers humid climates, it can survive and even thrive in containers.
For this method, choose a container with good drainage, as waterlogged soil—the bane of any plant’s existence—will kill your Dragon Lily quickly. Clay pots are ideal as they’ll allow for airflow, but any plastic pot with holes at the base will do. When it comes to potting mix, go for a light mix that drains well; Coco Peat is a great option and will help encourage healthy growth.
Once you have the right container and potting mix, you can start setting up the environment for your Dragon Lily’s success. Fill up your container until it’s around 75% full of soil and then add a slow-release fertilizer when planting. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist, as dry conditions can cause root rot which is again a sure way to kill your plant! Lastly, make sure your container is in an area of semi-shade and does not receive direct sunlight.
How to take care of the Dragon Lily plant?
The dragon lily is a plant that requires little attention despite its otherworldly look. These plants can be found growing naturally along the banks of rivers, ponds, and the margins of forests. Their roots originate from tubers that are buried beneath the surface. It is important to ensure that the pointed end of the tuber is facing upward when it is planted in soil that has good drainage. It is preferable to get this done early in the fall so that the plant has sufficient time to become established before the onset of the cooler winter months.
The only real care that the dragon lily needs is to be consistently watered. Other than that, it is quite low maintenance. These gorgeous plants will produce an abundance of blooms if they are given sufficient amounts of sunlight and water. In most cases, typical illnesses and pests do not have any effect on a dragon lily plant.
Place your plant in a sunny spot
Now you should find the perfect spot for your dragon lily plant. They like to be grown in sunny spots, so make sure yours gets plenty of sunlight!
Choose somewhere with indirect sunshine, like a windowsill or patio area. You might want to rotate the pot every week or so so that all sides get enough sunlight. Remember that you can always move your plant if it’s not happy in its current spot.
Also, if your plant starts to droop or become pale, it might need more sun—so make sure it gets enough when growing this beautiful flower. Proper sunlight will help your dragon lily plant flower and reach its full potential!
Keep the soil moist, but not wet
The Dragon Lily enjoys a warm, humid environment but overly wet soil can cause root rot. It is important to keep the soil moist without drowning it. To do this, water the plant in the morning and allow the top few inches of soil to dry between waterings.
You can also mist the leaves of your Dragon Lily with distilled water for additional humidity in the air, which will help it thrive. The plant does not need direct sunlight but grows best in an area with indirect light. If you live in a sunny climate, placing your Dragon Lily near a window that gets partial shade throughout the day might be best.
Cut off the dead flowers as they begin to wilt
Once your dragon lily plant starts to bloom, the first thing you need to do is cut off the dead flowers. This ensures that the plant has enough energy to keep producing healthy new blooms. To do this, use clean gardening shears and snip off the dead parts of the plant. If there are any yellowed or wilted flowers, be sure to remove those too; they won’t help your plant look its best!
Additionally, make sure you’re careful when cutting so you don’t accidentally remove any healthy parts of the plant. If you accidentally prune too much, don’t worry; your dragon lily will eventually recover and produce more flowers. Just make sure to give it some extra love and attention until then!
Fertilize twice a year
Once your Dragon Lily Plant is established and growing, you’ll need to fertilize it twice a year with a balanced fertilizer.
Make sure to use a fertilizer specifically designed for plants. The type of fertilizer you choose will depend on the kind of soil you have in your area, as well as the pH levels. For example, if your area has acidic soil, then you’ll want to use something like an acid-loving fertilizer. Or if you have more neutral soil, then you can use something like an all-purpose fertilizer.
It’s best to spread the fertilizer around the plant’s root zone and water it after application. Also, remember to be careful not to over-fertilize as this can burn the plant’s roots and cause discoloration of the leaves. Too little won’t give your Dragon Lily Plant the nutrients it needs either, so be sure to check the label for exact amounts and application instructions!
Temperature and Humidity for Dragon Lily
When it comes to growing the dragon lily plant, temperature and humidity levels play a pivotal role in its success. Dragon lilies are hardy plants that don’t require high temperatures or humidity levels, so you don’t have to worry about setting up any special equipment to regulate these parameters. With that said, the ideal temperatures for your dragon lily should range from 70 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity should be between 40 – 70 percent RH.
You’ll also want to make sure to keep your dragon lily in bright light. This means if you’re growing your dragon lily indoors, it needs full sun for about 6 hours per day, with some shade during peak heat hours in the summertime. If you want your dragon lily to thrive you should also keep it away from direct drafts from air conditioners or heaters as they can cause damage.
If you follow these simple temperature and humidity guidelines, you’ll surely have a happy and healthy dragon lily!
How to propagate the plant?
Once you have a healthy dragon arum lily, the next step is to propagate it. You can do this by separating offsets or small bulbs from the main plant. This is really easy as they naturally want to break away from the mother plant. Once you have done that, you need to plant them in a well-draining soil mix with either some perlite or sand added for increased drainage.
If you’re opting for offsets, then make sure that you leave as much of the roots intact as possible when taking them away from the main plant so that they can successfully grow and thrive. Make sure to leave around 2-3 inches of stem on each offset and place them into a new pot – they should be able to root and start growing in just a few weeks!
Conclusion
As long as you stick to a few basic procedures, cultivating dragon lilies and taking care of them is not a very difficult operation overall. Just remember to maintain a close check on the plant, particularly in the first few weeks after you’ve brought it into your house, and to provide it with consistent amounts of water and fertilizer.
You will be able to take pleasure in your dragon lily for many years to come if you give it the appropriate amount of care and attention.