Thanks John!
Just trying to learn (lots of questions ahead): why is the pot too big? I mean, how will it affect the plant if it stays this way? Should I keep this pot for later use when it grows (will it? )? Can you give me an example of a proper sized pot (size/type)?
And last question: should I change the soil when repotting? I have a cactus/succulant soil, dunno if it's good for a Dracaena?

Thanks again!

Unless it was in that size pot it didn't need to go up a size or 3. It won't hurt the plant being in that large a pot. However, it is more difficult to judge watering needs in a pot that much larger than the grow pot. There is a lot of soil with no roots to absorb water, so those areas stay wetter longer but the soil WITH roots dries out faster. There's less of a danger if it is in an extremely bright location, but caution is needed. As far as keeping that pot, it will eventually need it if all conditions are good for growth. It just might take awhile. Of course, it's a good reason to get another, bigger plant. It should be in a pot about the same size as the one you bought it in. Cactus soil is great for Dracaenas as it drains well and allows plenty of air into the soil. This prevents the soil staying too wet.
We learn faster if we ask questions and pay attention to the answers. Keep on asking and we'll keep teaching!

Wish I had room for another big plant, I'm having enough trouble placing this Dracaena properly in my small apartment

Thank you for the detailed explanation! I'll get a smaller pot. Seems like the guy from the nursery didn't know what he was talking about. Waste of money, but this is how to learn I guess. If I'll have more questions (and I probably will) I will surely ask. Thanks again!

Two more more questions

I'm still thinking getting it back to the nursery so they change the pot to a smaller (and perhaps more decorative) one. I have a cactus/succulent soil - should I also tell them to repot it with this soil, or leave it with the same soil it's in now?

And another question about light (this is a general question for all house plants) - the plant is getting light (not direct) from a north & east window (see picture below). Let's assume the light is not enough - will the plant benefit if I place it in the balcony for 3 days of the week so it gets much more light in these 3 days? Is this a good/bad practice?

The pot is a little too big but I would leave it alone. It will grow into it. Not a big deal to me. The plant would always benefit with more light but not direct hot sun more that a few hours a day and then only after it takes the time to get used to being changed to much brighter light conditions. This plant is not too fussy and conditions looks favorable to me where it's at.
Now the snake plant tucked away in the corner is another thing you need to consider. It would love more light.

I see... the nursery said they can change to another pot if necessary. So you suggest leaving it as is?

About the snake planet - yeah, that's a problem, this is (also) why I asked if it's a good idea to leave it where it's at for 4 days and then 3 days of good sun (outside, not direct, or next to the Dracaena where it's sunny)

Your suspicions about the nursery are correct. They should have left your plant in its nursery pot and set that pot inside the decorative planter. Repotting often disturbs the roots and damages them if some of the original soil is removed. Larger pots also increase the chances of inadvertent overwatering and root suffocation.

If the original rootball is still intact, then it should be fairly easy and non-traumatic to remove the soil added around the original rootball and then moving it back into its original pot or one the same size. However, if the nursery removed some of the original soil, then it is probably best to avoid further root damage and leave it as it is, even though it is not as it should be.

For future reference, new plants almost never need to be repotted. They can be double-potted if you want something more attractive than the plastic nursery pot.

To be frank, I don't really trust them. But when they repot I don't think they touch the original soil (especially when repotting 2-3 sizes bigger?). As you guys mentioned, it looks happy and healthy, so hopefully this also applies for its roots I do want to change the pot tho. Way too big (and honestly when placed in my house the plant "disappears" in it. and it's not very pretty. my mistake choosing it). I also want use the cactus/succulent soil.
As I don't really trust them, I might just do it myself. This also applies for the snake plants I bought recently - one was repotted to the pot seen in the picture (with a drainage hole), the other was repotted directly to a ceramic pot (no drainage hole, I want to double-pot it with the cactus soil). So I might get just the (new) pot and do the change myself.

This is the first time I do this (repotting, or planting at all ) - any specific guidelines? I'll watch videos/read material of course.

Thanks!

I am looking for some help for my Dracaena. I have had it for years, used to be in front of a South/ South East facing window (in the UK, so not always sunny tbh) in a fairly humid room (small living room/kitchen area so got a bit humid when cooking). Then moved and it ended up a metre of so away from a south facing window, but a bit of a dry room (especially in winter as heating is on). Used to water it very rarely tbh, and she was fine. Now I've tried to water it more often but it doesn't seem to help. Well I know feel it might be too late for her but I'm hoping for some life saving advice! Thank youuu

@Vplant

Unfortunately, your dracaena looks dead. I don't see any part of it that would be viable for propagation.

VPlant, Hello and welcome. Do you live in a warm area? Could you put your plant outside for spring-summer? I would take it out of the pot to check the roots. You may find them rotted. Remove any soft or dead root and let dry out for a few days and re-pot it up using about 1/2 your old soil with perlite. Sold in most stores that sell plants and is cheap. It may have some life stored in the stems. Give it plenty of bright light once you see any signs of life.

An update on my rescued dracaena...

Its been doing very well.

I knew you could do it!

Put all the great advice from this thread into action and repotted to a smaller pot with a cactus/succulent soil. I removed the old soil from the roots (lost some roots on the way obviously but I understand this is fine) and watered one day after repotting (soaked it until water came out of the holes and left it in the sink until it stopped draining). So far so good and the plant looks healthy, however, I notice the leaves seem to be REALLY curly? Looking at other Dracaena Burley pictures it seems ok, but I'm no expert - what do you think? It's been a week since I repotted (can use the previous pics as a reference):







Also, if it matters, I moved it to a new location (this way the snake plant also gets some sun):

I think most of us are just plant lovers and not experts. Just years of problems and sharing them with each other. Looks great to me.

Looking good, Kevin!

Beautiful @Yuvalvv ! To maintain the dramatic variegation, you might find that it needs to get a little closer to the window. You'll be able to tell by monitoring the new leaves as they grow.

Wavy leaves are fine.

Thanks!

@Stush2019 The knowledge here can be far better & helpful than some "true" experts.
The nursery I got this Dracaena from (and another snake plant not in the picture) really showed pure professionalism:
* Tried convincing me adding perlite to a soil (for the snake plant) is, and I quote, "bullshit".
* Planted the snake plant in a no-drainage-holes pot, said there is no need for any for this type of plant (repotted it myself in a plastic pot sitting in the "pretty" pot).
* Tried selling me "heavy" soil (i.e. slow draining) as a cactus & succulent soil (completely the opposite of what I needed).

All the above while rambling how he's 25 years in business and that I shouldn't "listen to the internet". And this of course adds to the huge original pot I got this Dracaena in and vague watering instructions ("0.5 cup every 20 days for the snake plant, 3 cups every 10 days for the Dracaena").

@purpleinopp I'll keep that in mind. It is actually just below another window (east facing, the edges of the curtains are visible in the picture), not a lot of light from this window tho (most is blocked by trees), but it is some additional light which I hope is enough

Yuvalvv,
I fully understand. I would not give advise to anyone to listen to the internet myself. Here we tried many ways and what works for us seems to be the norm in general house plant keeping. Most books on Sansevieria will tell the similar advise as what we have told here. In fact once a pond a time on 'Houzz' (All Things Plants) their were many expert Sans keepers who published their books and are well known. We learned from the best. Some are still around.

I was told full drainage was the 'Ideal' method to grow Sanaevieria and fully gritty mixes were the way to go. That was pure bull. I lost many plants under that idea. I use a more compost base mix but add things like 'perlite' or/and grit to improve drainage and most importantly add air so the roots can breath. Heavy soils block the air and holds moisture and the result is rot for the plant. Too much grit adds too much air and not enough moisture and soil microbes that all roots need.
That said. In a warm greenhouse with plenty of light, almost anything goes. Once home we wonder why we failed.

Over time we have all gotten bad advise and in the end we have to learn the hard way or which way is best for me. I also received some great advise so you never really know who the listen to.

Braided trunks.