Rhaphidophora decursiva, Dragons Tail

I am loving the Rhaphidophora decursiva, Dragons Tail.

Now, I don’t just love this plant because it has a really cool name ... well I kind of bought it because really who doesn’t want a plant called Dragon’s Tail? However, it’s actually turned into one of my favourite plants because it’s so easy and looks amazing.

Rhaphidophora decursiva, native to the tropical forests of India and Southeast Asia and is classed as a climbing vine. In it’s native environment, it climbs up trees and rocks using its aerial roots to grip to the trunks or surfaces. In a pot inside, I suggest you get a chunky iron bark stake or a nice trellis for it to climb up. We had a stake at home and ours has twined itself around it, to form a thick green pole.

The leaves are a dark, lush, shiny green. When the leaves are young, they have an arrow shape but as they get older each leaf splits into parts forming a dragons tail!

I have found this plant grows well inside in bright places, but will also tolerate low light conditions. I am growing mine in a corner where I have struggled to grow other things and it’s doing well.

Dragon Tails are drought tolerant and don't require a lot of water. It’s one of those plants we can love to death, so make sure you allow the soil to dry out between waterings. I fertilise mine every three months with Organic Link and spray the foliage every fortnight with Triple Boost.

I sometimes forget how hardy this plant is, I think because it’s one of those plants that is so easy to care for.

If I could narrow my favourite, easy care, indoor plants down to a top ten, Dragon Tail’s are without a second thought on that list.