African Spear Plant Plant Care

African Spear Plant (Dracaena angolensis) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Dracaena genus. African Spear Plant is native to Angola in Southern Africa. African Spear Plant is also known as African bowstring hemp, Horn of plenty, Elephant's trunk.

African Spear Plant displays an upright, tree-like growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. African Spear Plant produces rarely flowers indoors, small white blooms in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.

Water a young or newly planted African Spear Plant every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

African Spear Plant thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing African Spear Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Dracaena angolensis tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. African Spear Plant prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, peat-based potting mix with perlite for aeration. Good drainage is essential for African Spear Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed African Spear Plant every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to low light and well-draining, peat-based potting mix with perlite for aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

African Spear Plant is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

African Spear Plant can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune African Spear Plant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

African Spear Plant is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

African Spear Plant can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to corn plant plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

African Spear Plant is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

African Spear Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. African Spear Plant is native to Angola in Southern Africa. In cooler regions, grow African Spear Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.