Are you interested in planting amazing house plants in your backyard? Do you want to add Dracaena to your collection? Well, then there is nothing to have second thoughts about. Dracaenas are one of the most beautiful, exclusive, and easy to grow houseplants that are available in the history of botany.

However, when one decides to put up a dracaena in their backyard, a number of questions and doubts follow. The most common of them being “can i put my dracena outside”. This is a common question that arises because of the controversial nature of the plant. Nevertheless, if you are also finding answers about this, we have got you covered. The following article talks about putting dracena plants outside and how to give them maximum care.

Also Read: Why are Dracaena Leaves Turning Yellow and Brown?

Can You Put Dracena Outside?

The fact is not hidden that Dracaenas make a better houseplant than an outdoor plant. Hence, many people are skeptical about placing them outdoors. But, if you are bent on placing them out of your house, here is a little something that you should know before doing so.

• The primary factor that determines whether or not you should plant them out is where you live. People living in zones like 11,10, and even 9 can go for it without thinking. It might as well be better for your plants to do.
  However, if you are looking for ways to kill your Dracena plant, which I’m sure you’re not, then cool temperatures or the one with frost are ideal. Note that the above mentioned zones are USDA zones. Although Zone 9 has been listed as a supportive environment for growing Dracaena houseplants, this might not always be the case. You need to look out for and protect the plant from unnecessary cold or frosty climate changes.
• Be mindful of not placing the Dracaena plant under direct sunlight. Sure they perform their best in tropical climates, but exposure to direct sunlight can be a little too risky.
• Shower your dracaena plants with ample mist and water. Dracena plants enjoy getting hydrated at every hour of the day (metaphorically!). However, as is common for most other plants, it is important that you do not allow stagnant water in your plants. It can cause problems like root rot or soggy soil, which is not an ideal condition to keep Dracaena plants. To ensure proper drainage of excess water from your plant container, use a potting mixture with good drainage qualities, and make little holes in your container to facilitate water drainage.
• Fertilizers are a must have if you want to place your Dracaena plants outdoors. Fertilizers ensure that your plant gets adequate nutrition and supplements to complement their growth. Further, they also support your plant growth, especially in the summer season. Keep your basic fertilizer stocked up in the growing season to ensure maximum safety of your plants outdoors.
• Before choosing the Dracena plant variety, be sure to learn everything about the kind you choose. It is highly important to know that not all Dracena plant varieties thrive in similar conditions. It is important to consult your local gardener, botanist, or a reliable internet source before taking any actions.
• Another important consideration is to make proper room for the plant to achieve its maximum height. Most of the time, the height and overall size of the Dracaena plant cannot be predicted well in advance. This is due to numerous reasons, but you can gather information about your plant’s height in advance and can make arrangements accordingly.
• Initiate a survey of your backyard or outside area. Locate the warmest area of your property. Look for the amount of rainfall and sunlight there. You can also conduct a simple hand-shadow test to know the sunlight that the area receives. Now, plant your Dracaena plant at the spot. Ideally, your plant should thrive at this place.

Also Read: Can You Put a Peace Lily Outside?

Dracaena Plant Care Tips

Here are some additional tips about what you can do to keep your Dracaena plants fresh, active, and strong for a long time. To get good results, follow the exact time and measuring instructions (if mentioned):

• Do not, under any condition, let your plant get exposed to excessive cold or winter temperature. Dracaena plants tend to succumb under such environments which makes it impossible for them to carry out their basic living functions. You don’t want that to happen to your plant at all. It is advised to either repot them to a warmer place or to protect them with ample shade and artificial light to counter the frosty effect.
• Your potting mixture should have stones and other porous mixtures to keep the water flowing in case of overwatering. Additionally, since the soil absorbs extra moisture and water content, it helps to keep the plant mist for a long time. Do not let the soil or plant sit in water. Insert your finger till the top layer of the soil to identify whether or not you need to water your plant.
• Contrary to popular belief, using compost or bark as potting soil components can attract fungus gnats on your Dracaena plants. This can be a problem if your plants are planted sideways as it can spread easily and damage the yield.
• Dracaena leaves have sap that makes pests like Scale, aphids, thrips and mealybugs  hungry. Therefore, you can observe these pests occasionally lingering around the plant. While they do not cause much damage, they can definitely spoil the leaf structure of the plant. It is important to use alcohol cotton dabs and neem oil to prevent their visits.
• If you want to prune your Dracaena plant, it is important to do so in the seasons of summer and spring. These are the growth seasons for the plant and provide the best time for these plants to be cut. Use extremely sharp objects for the same.

Also Read: Why Prayer Plant Leaves Turning Yellow?

Conclusion

Now that you know it is possible to keep your dracaena house plant outdoors under certain conditions, you can go ahead and do the same. However, do remember to look out for some additional plant care tips to get the best out of your Dracaena plants. Happy gardening!