Dracontium pittieri Plant Care
Dracontium pittieri Engl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dracontium pittieri is a species of flowering plant native to Costa Rica. It is similar in appearance to Dracontium gigas, but has a substantially longer peduncle, which is the longest of any plant in its genus, between five and eight times the length of its spathe.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to low light
65–80°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Dracontium pittieri?
Water Dracontium pittieri every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Dracontium pittieri Native To?
What Is the Dracontium pittieri?
Dracontium pittieri (Dracontium pittieri) belongs to the Araceae family within the Dracontium genus. Dracontium pittieri is native to Costa Rica.
Dracontium pittieri displays a tall, upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Dracontium pittieri produces small, inconspicuous flowers surrounded by a large, showy spathe.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Dracontium pittieri?
Dracontium pittieri requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Dracontium pittieri Need?
Dracontium pittieri thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Dracontium pittieri in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Dracontium pittieri Prefer?
Dracontium pittieri grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Dracontium pittieri prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Dracontium pittieri?
Rich, well-draining potting mix with added perlite and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Dracontium pittieri to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Dracontium pittieri?
Feed Dracontium pittieri every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Dracontium pittieri?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Dracontium pittieri?
Dracontium pittieri can be propagated through division of rhizomes, offsets, or seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to giant dragon arum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Dracontium pittieri Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Dracontium pittieri?
Dracontium pittieri is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, aphids. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Dracontium pittieri Need?
Dracontium pittieri grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Dracontium pittieri is native to Costa Rica. In cooler regions, grow Dracontium pittieri as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Dracontium pittieri is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Dracontium genus — compare its care with other Dracontium species on PlantoScan.
Dracontium is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.
Dracontium pittieri copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dracontium pittieri Engl., family Araceae (first published in Anales Inst. Fís.-Geogr. Nac. Costa Rica 9: 209 (1898)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Dracontium pittieri is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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