Dragon Tree Facts

'Protection' (Canary Islands), 'Strength', 'Resilience', 'Connection to Nature'.

The Dragon's Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari) is found exclusively on the island of Socotra, Yemen.

It is named as such because people believed that its rich red resin was actually dragon's blood with medicinal properties.

In Greek mythology, the Dragon's Blood Tree is linked to Ladon, the hundred-headed dragon who guarded the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides. When Heracles slew the dragon, its blood spilled onto the earth, spawning the first of these trees.

Historically, the resin was used as a dye for fabrics and leather.

The earthy and sweet aromatic qualities of the resin made it a good choice for use in perfumes and other scented products.

Like Ginkgo, the Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco) can be considered a 'living fossil' due to being a Tertiary relict species – from one of the oldest ecosystems in the world!

Many trees in this genus are effective in cleansing the air of pollutants such as formaldehyde, and harmful smoke particles released by cigarettes. As such, they are a popular choice as houseplants.