Question
Hi Darlene,
I just purchased my first Dracena plant from Home Depot about two weeks ago.
I've tried doing a little research online about how often I should water the plant...some say once a week some say every other week (during the winter months). I'm still unsure how often I should be watering it? So,I would like to hear from someone like you w/ your knowledge and expterise.
I live in California, I have it in a medium sized pot, my plant is about 14 inches tall, i have the plant facing south (out of indirect sunlight). So, far I have been watering the plant once a week (w/ city water). But, i'm not sure if it is enough or too much during the winter months? The plant's leaves are the same color they were when I purchased the plant...so I think I may be doing something right (hopefully).
Thank you...looking forward to hearing from you.  

Answer
Christina,

For starters your city water probably has flouride and chlorine in it and that will burn your Dracena plant. You need to use distilled water or allow your city water to sit in an open bucket for 72 hours before you use it on any of your plants. That will allow the clorine and flouride to dissipate into the air and not harm your plants.

Now as far as how often to water, there are a lot of variables to give you a precise answer. In general once a week in the summer and every 2 weeks during the winter. However, the best way to determine if a plant needs to be watered is to insert a long bamboo skewer into the soil all the way to the bottom. Then cut it off about an inch above the surface of the soil. When you think it may be time to water it pull the skewer out and see if it is dry. If it is not dry down to the bottom 2 inches it is not time to water. Only the last 2 inches of skewer should still be moist. Then water it enough that al the soil becomes moist. An hour later empty the drain tray. If it is difficult to pour the water out you can use a turkey baster to suction it out of the drain tray. If you leave the plant sitting in water constantly it will cause the roots to rot and the plant will die. It sounds like you are doing well. Just be sure the plant dries out between waterings and does not sit in standing water. Good luck.

Darlene