Dracaena is a genus of about 198 species in the asparagus family, according to NC State Extension. The name comes from the Greek drakaina, “female dragon”. Several species are grown indoors for their leaves, which range from broad corn-like straps to narrow, red-edged swords.
The genus has grown recently. Molecular research showed that the plants once called Sansevieria are a succulent lineage within Dracaena, so snake plants are now dracaenas too. Most share the same basic care. What differs is shape, size and how much water they want.
13 dracaena varieties at a glance
Descriptions are from NC State Extension and UF/IFAS. NC State gives indoor plants a range of about 0.6–3 m (2–10 ft) tall.
| Dracaena | Leaf | Size | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. fragrans (corn plant) | Glossy, strap-like, to 45 cm (18 in) long, 8–13 cm (3–5 in) wide | Up to 1.8 m (6 ft) | Bright to moderate filtered | Plain green form is less common |
| D. fragrans ‘Massangeana’ (‘Mass Cane’) | Yellow-lime central stripe | As the species | Bright to moderate filtered | Yellow increases with more light |
| D. fragrans ‘Janet Craig’ (‘Compacta’) | Solid green, short, dense, wavy margins | 0.9–1.8 m (3–6 ft) | Bright to moderate filtered | Compact stems |
| D. fragrans ‘Warneckii’ | Grey-green with white or green stripes | Upright | Bright to moderate filtered | — |
| D. fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’ | Sword-like, cream, greenish-yellow and lime stripes | Upright | Bright to moderate filtered | — |
| D. reflexa var. angustifolia (Madagascar dragon tree; was D. marginata) | Glossy, sword-shaped, red edges, 60 cm (2 ft) long | To 1.8 m (6 ft) indoors | Bright indirect | Stems can be braided or spiralled |
| Dragon tree ‘Tricolor’ | Green with white and pink edges | As the species | Bright indirect | — |
| Dragon tree ‘Colorama’ | Pink with white and green stripes | 1.5–1.8 m (5–6 ft) | Bright indirect | Colour deepens in higher light |
| D. reflexa ‘Song of India’ | Short, lance-shaped, cream margins | Branches at about 90 cm (3 ft) | Bright indirect | Variegated form of the species |
| D. sanderiana (lucky bamboo) | Bright green straps, widely spaced on bamboo-like stems | Stems weak above 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) | Bright indirect | Grows in soil or in water |
| D. surculosa (gold dust dracaena) | Glossy, 8 cm (3 in), dark green spotted cream-yellow | 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) | Bright, not direct | Thin, branching stems |
| D. goldieana (queen of dracaenas) | Broad ovals, 15–23 cm (6–9 in), silver horizontal bands | 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) indoors | Bright indirect | Less common; needs warmth |
| D. trifasciata (snake plant) | Stiff, flat, banded, up to 1.2 m (4 ft) long | Rosette | Tolerates very low light | Former Sansevieria |
Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) and its cultivars
NC State describes the corn plant as a slow-growing evergreen shrub from tropical Africa. Its tall, unbranched stem and broad strap leaves look like a corn stalk. The rare flowers are strongly fragrant at night.
Most corn plants sold are striped cultivars:
- ‘Massangeana’ (‘Mass Cane’): UF/IFAS describes a broad, bright yellow central stripe, and notes that the yellow increases with higher light. UF/IFAS adds that corn plants are usually sold as several woody canes of different lengths in one pot.
- ‘Janet Craig’ (‘Compacta’): solid green, with shorter leaves on more compact stems.
- ‘Warneckii’: grey-green leaves with white or green stripes.
- ‘Lemon Lime’: cream, greenish-yellow and lime stripes.
NC State lists ‘Janet Craig’ and ‘Warneckii’ under D. fragrans, previously known as D. deremensis. UF/IFAS still uses D. deremensis. Both names refer to the same plants in the trade.
NC State’s corn plant care: bright to moderate filtered light, since direct sun burns the leaves. If light is too low, new leaves come out narrower. It thrives at 21–27 °C (70–80 °F); keep it above 10 °C (50 °F).
Madagascar dragon tree (formerly Dracaena marginata)
NC State now lists this plant as Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia, previously D. marginata. It comes from Madagascar and nearby islands. The leaves are glossy, sword-shaped, about 60 cm (2 ft) long and only 1.3 cm (0.5 in) wide, with reddish edges. Lower leaves fall off with age, leaving tan stems with diamond-shaped scars.
As a houseplant it reaches about 1.8 m (6 ft) and can be pruned shorter. A pruned stem usually grows two or more branches. Cultivars include ‘Tricolor’ (white and pink edges), ‘Colorama’ (pink with white and green stripes) and ‘Bicolor’ (grey-green with pink or red edges). UF/IFAS notes that the red tones in these cultivars increase with higher light.
It is drought tolerant. Let the mix dry between waterings, but not severely.
Song of India (Dracaena reflexa)
NC State describes D. reflexa as an irregular shrub or tree, up to 6 m (20 ft) in the tropics, with dark green, lance-shaped leaves. ‘Song of India’ has cream margins. UF/IFAS adds that young plants grow on single stems and usually branch once they reach about 90 cm (3 ft).
Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky bamboo is not a bamboo. NC State describes a West African shrub with bright green, strappy leaves spaced along upright stems. The stems are often trained into braids or spirals. UF/IFAS notes the stems never become strong enough to stay upright beyond 60–90 cm (2–3 ft).
It grows in moist potting mix or in chlorine-free water. If you grow it in water, NC State says to change the water weekly and add a weak liquid fertilizer. Overwatering yellows the leaves and rots the stems. ‘White Stripe’ has creamy white edges.
Gold dust and queen of dracaenas
Gold dust dracaena (D. surculosa) is a slow, shrubby plant with thin, wiry stems and small, glossy leaves spotted cream-yellow. NC State notes that too much light browns or drops the leaves, while too little fades the spots. Keep it snug in its pot. ‘Florida Beauty’ is densely spotted; ‘Milky Way’ has a long white centre band.
Queen of dracaenas (D. goldieana) has broad, oval leaves banded silver or light green like a zebra. NC State calls it less common in the trade. It wants consistent warmth around 24 °C (75 °F) and moderate to high humidity, and scorches in full sun.
Snake plants are dracaenas now
NC State’s genus page lists the snake plant (D. trifasciata), the cylindrical African spear (D. angolensis) and the whale fin (D. masoniana). Unlike the cane dracaenas, they are succulent and need much drier soil. See our snake plant varieties guide for the 16 types and their care.
Care that applies to every cane dracaena
From NC State Extension and UF/IFAS:
- Light: bright, indirect. Direct sun scorches the leaves.
- Water: let the top 2.5 cm (1 in) of mix dry between waterings. Wet soil causes root rot; overwatering yellows leaves.
- Water quality: dracaenas are sensitive to salts, chlorine and fluoride in tap water, which brown the leaf tips. Use filtered or rainwater. See our guide to fluoride toxicity in dracaena.
- Temperature: NC State gives 16–24 °C (60–75 °F); UF/IFAS gives 21–27 °C (70–80 °F) for interiors. Avoid draughts.
- Humidity: moderate to high. Low humidity browns leaves.
- After buying: UF/IFAS advises not repotting or fertilizing for about four weeks after a plant arrives indoors.
- Pests: thrips, mealybugs, aphids, scale, fungus gnats and spider mites. Wetting the leaves when watering can cause fungal leaf spot.
- Propagation: stem cuttings or division.
The dracaena plant hub collects common problems. If you are deciding between a dracaena and an aglaonema, see dracaena vs Chinese evergreen.
Pets
The ASPCA lists dracaena, corn plant (D. fragrans) and Madagascar dragon tree (D. marginata) as toxic to dogs and cats; the corn plant and dragon tree entries add horses. The toxic principle is saponins. Signs include vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, loss of appetite, drooling and, in cats, dilated pupils. The ASPCA’s dracaena entry also covers ribbon plant, the name D. sanderiana is sold under. For alternatives, see our pet-safe plants guide.
References
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Dracaena (genus), Dracaena fragrans, Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia, Dracaena sanderiana, Dracaena surculosa, Dracaena goldieana, Dracaena trifasciata
- UF/IFAS Extension, D. B. McConnell et al.: Cultural Guidelines for Commercial Production of Interiorscape Dracaena, ENH892
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Corn Plant, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Dracaena