Scientific Name: Dracaena

The Dracaena family of plants is one of the most successful houseplant enterprises in the world. Whether you’re looking for a small countertop plant or a large one to provide the corners of your home with a natural aesthetic, there is a Dracaena plant ready and waiting. In addition to offering a variety of shapes and sizes, pictures of Dracaena plants reveal their vibrant color patterns, often sporting bright and dark shades of red, green and yellow.

Want to get into the world of houseplants but concerned that you won’t be able to make the time to care for a plant adequately? Dracaenas are drought-resistant, meaning that you don’t need to adhere to a strict watering schedule. They also offer a number of other resistances, allowing for them to practically grow on their own while you reap all the benefits!

Dracaena Light Care

Dracaena indoor plants require a consistent source of bright, indirect light in your home. This type of lighting ensures that your plant is not exposed to direct light that would otherwise dry it out and cause its bright leaves to burn and become a faded brown. Indirect light also allows your plant to avoid suffering from too little light exposure, which could also fade its leaves and even result in its premature death.

To provide your Dracaena plant with the best lighting possible, try to find a space in your home near any windows or other sources of direct light. Keeping your plant in these spaces will allow it to enjoy natural light without having to worry about direct light’s harmful effects. Most countertops are suitable choices, making it super easy to find the perfect place for your Dracaena!

Dracaena Plant Care Difficulty

Low Key

Dracaena Air Purification

Dracaena plants are some of the most adept houseplants when it comes to natural air purification!

Dracaena Water Care

Dracaena indoor plants are an especially drought-resistant species, since their natural habitats are often prone to experience long spells of dryness. That resilient trait can be found in your plants at home, which is why you only have to water your Dracaena on a biweekly basis. Make sure that the top layer of soil is dried out before you water again.

The Dracaena family of plants is sensitive to the fluoride commonly found in tap water, so make sure to use purified water as often as possible. Checking the water level of your plant is as easy as sticking your finger one inch deep in its soil. At this depth, you will be able to accurately tell the dryness of the soil and plan your watering schedule accordingly!

Dracaena Food Guide

Your Dracaena doesn’t require too much when it comes to soil and feeding requirements. As is the case with all houseplants, it will get off to a more promising start if you provide it with a well-draining potting soil. This will allow you to avoid dangers such as root rot that are associated with water build-up and poor-draining soil.

Along with being drought-resistant, the Dracaena also doesn’t demand a rigorous fertilizing schedule in order to grow properly. Experts tend to suggest avoiding fertilizer altogether, but if you feel that your plant needs a boost, provide it with a small portion of fertilizer once or twice during the growing months of the spring and summer.

 

Common Questions About Dracaena Plants

Do Dracaena plants need sunlight?

Yes, the Dracaena requires bright, indirect sunlight in order to grow to its full potential! Avoid areas of your home that would expose it to intense, direct sunlight.

How do you identify a Dracaena?

Dracaena identification is actually much easier than you might think! This family of plants commonly sport streaks of green and yellow coloring across their leaves, which tend to be long and slender. They also like to have their leaves grow solely from their tops, leaving the stem bare and appearing tree-like.

How do you care for a Dracaena plant?

Caring for your Dracaena plant is easy! The Dracaena is drought-resistant and doesn’t require fertilizer in order to grow, so you can place yours on a biweekly watering schedule and plan to feed it only a couple times during the growing months. If you need more assistance, take a look at the other tips for growing aDracaena plant in our website’s plant care guides!

How often should I water my Dracaena?

This family of plants is drought-resistant, so plan on watering it sparingly. A biweekly watering schedule is ideal!

 

Dracaena Species List

Dracaena Fragrans

Also known as the “Corn Plant,” the Dracaena Fragrans gets its name from its long, wide leaves, which resemble the leaves found on an actual corn plant. It’s extremely durable and doesn’t take up much space, which is what makes it such a perfect addition to your home and an ideal introduction to the world of houseplants.

Dracaena Marginata (Dragon Tree)

A plant as valuable as dragon’s gold itself! The “Dragon Tree,” as it is often called, is another durable member of the Dracaena family. It’s stem is mostly bare, as its leaves grow up and out from the top of the plant. The leaves themselves are long and slender, donning alternating green, yellow and red coloring.

Dracaena Trifasciata

The Dracaena Trifasciata is a truly beautiful houseplant that belongs in every home! Commonly referred to as the “Snake Plant,” its leaves grow upward in a wavy, slithering pattern, mimicking that of a snake. Unlike some of its relatives, this form of Dracaena does not have a defined stem, opting to have its leaves surround and protect the rest of the plant.

Dracaena Reflexa (Song of India)

The “Song of India” is notable for its foliage, which grows up the sides of the plant and takes on an elegant, arching form. Its leaves feature a ring of yellow, becoming a dark shade of green as they move inward toward their centers. Native to tropical regions of the world, this plant can grow well in a range of environments.

Dracaena Sanderiana (Lucky Bamboo)

If you’ve found yourself in possession of Dracaena Sanderiana, then you’re certainly lucky! This bamboo variation of the Dracaena family is notable for its long stock and the small leaves that it produces at its crown. More often than not, you’ll find Lucky Bamboo sold in bunches, making it an especially enticing modern piece for your tabletops!

Dracaena Angustifolia

The Dracaena Angustifolia is one of the larger variations of Dracaena houseplants that you’ll find on the market. Similar to Dragon Trees, this plant takes on a tree-like appearance, its leaves arching up and out from its crown. However, unlike other Dracaenas that enjoy bright yellows, the Dracaena Angustifolia generally boasts leaves with deep red borders and green interiors.

Dracaena Cinnabari (Dragon Blood Tree)

The Dracaena Cinnabari is one of the most unique houseplants that you’re ever going to encounter! Found natively only on the Yemeni island of Socotra, the “Dragon Blood Tree” takes on the appearance of a moderately sized tree. It produces a deep red sap, which is what gives it the dragon blood moniker, and it is able to flourish in a range of environments.

Dracaena Braunii

The Dracaena Braunii is natively found in regions of West Africa, and while it can grow over 5ft tall in the wild, its indoor variant generally reaches 2 to 3ft tall. “Lucky Bamboo” is the perfect addition to your home if you’re interested in a plant that provides a simplistic aesthetic while also working to purify the air around you!