Dracaena (Dracaena spp.)

Dracaena Plant Features

Dracaenas are a group of houseplants you just can't go wrong with. Why? They're among the easiest and most common indoor plants around. Young plants are small and bushy, making them perfect residents of desks and tabletops. Older dracaenas develop woody stems and can become tree like. In fact, after years and years, many healthy dracaenas can reach 5 or 6 feet tall. They're ideal for adding a bold splash of texture to your indoor decor.

Add interest by selecting varieties variegated with contrasting colors. Striped-type dracaena offers just that: Beautiful leaves that look good by themselves or in combination with other plants. When they're young, they form low mounds that look a bit like stars; as they grow, they pick up some height, eventually becoming tree-like (though it takes a while in your average living room).

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Dracaena Growing Instructions

Grow most dracaenas in regular household conditions; they tolerate low light, but thrive in medium and bright spots, too. Water dracaenas when the soil surface gets dry; that's often about once a week or so, but can vary depending on the size of your plant, the size of its pot, the amount of light it gets, and other factors.

Most dracaenas really don't require much fertilizer --- only once or twice a year to keep them healthy (every six months or so). But if you want more growth, you can fertilize more frequently. Use any general-purpose houseplant fertilizer from your local garden center and follow the directions on the packaging.

If your dracaena gets too tall and lanky, you can prune the top off. Most types will resprout and become bushier. If your dracaena has brown leaf tips, try boosting the humidity --- dry air (or soil that stays dry too long) can cause the leaves to develop this problem.

Dracaena is not intended for human or animal consumption.

Water

Medium water needs
Light

Indoors: High light

Indoors: Low light

Indoors: Medium light
Colors

Green

Variegated
Special Features

Purifies the air

Super-easy to grow

Our favorite varieties

Janet Craig

Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig'

One of the most common houseplants of all time, Janet Craig features dark green, shiny leaves and is particularly easy to grow.

Rikki Dracaena

Dracaena deremensis 'Rikki'

Rikki is an easy-to-grow variety that sports light green variegation in the center of its deep green leaves.

White Jewel Dracaena

Dracaena deremensis 'White Jewel'

White Jewel is a fun variety that boasts dark green leaves with white-and-light-green centers.

Limelight Dracaena

Dracaena deremensis 'Limelight'

A fantastic variety for brightening your home, Limelight shows off bright chartreuse leaves.

Dorado Dracaena

Dracaena deremensis 'Dorado'

A fun variety, Dorado features dark green leaves edged in chartreuse.

Florida Beauty Dracaena

Dracaena 'Florida Beauty'

A bit different than the others, Florida Beauty has rounded leaves liberally dabbled in golden-yellow splotches.

Song of India

Dracaena reflexa 'Song of India'

Also called pleomele, Song of India features medium-sized green leaves edged in cream.

Lemon Lime Dracaena

Dracaena deremensis 'Lemon Lime'

An eye-catching variety, Lemon Lime features chartreuse leaves with gray-green centers and white stripes.

Anita Dracaena

Dracaena reflexa 'Anita'

Bearing narrower leaves than most, Anita has a fun, grassy texture and is often grown as a small tree.

Song of Jamaica

Dracaena reflexa 'Song of Jamaica'

Song of Jamaica is an easy-to-grow houseplant with dark green leaves and lighter green centers.

Warneckii Dracaena

Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii'

Warneckii shows off gray-green leaves variegated with stripes of white and green.

Malaika Dracaena

Dracaena deremensis 'Malaika'

A fun variety, Malaika has rich green leaves streaked with white, gray, and creamy green.

Hawaiian Sunshine Dracaena

Dracaena deremensis 'Hawaiian Sunshine'

Hawaiian Sunshine offers shiny dark green leaves with a light green stripe running down the center. It looks similar to corn plant, but has smaller, shorter leaves.

Lemon Surprise Dracaena

Dracaena deremensis 'Lemon Surprise'

Lemon Surprise has dark green, chartreuse, and white leaves, but unlike Lemon Lime, the leaves have a slight twist or curl, giving this houseplant a little extra interest.