The Dracaena draco tree is characterised by a single or multiple trunk growing up to 12 metres (39 ft) tall (rarely more), with a dense umbrella-shaped canopy of thick leaves.
It grows slowly, requiring about ten years to reach 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) tall. Young trees remain with only a single stem; branching occurs when the tree flowers, when two side shoots at the base of the flower panicle continue the growth as a fork in the stem.
Being monocotyledonous, Dracaena draco does not display annual rings and age can only be estimated by the number of branch forking occurrences (indicating the number of flowering episodes) and measuring the frequency of flowering (less than annual).
Some specimens are believed to be up to 600 years old; the oldest is growing at Icod de los Vinos in northwest Tenerife.
Dracaena draco is winter hardy outdoors. It will survive temperatures as low as 22 degrees F.
It can take high heat but performs best when protected from very strong afternoon sun. In very bright desert locations, part sun would be the preferred exposure.
Mature trees are insect and fire resistant but should be protected from high winds.