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Dracaena spp.

dragon trees

Asparagaceae

Tropical Africa, southern Asia, Madagascar, and the Canary Islands

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (strong)Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–12

Overview

Dracaena spp. is a genus of about 120 species of evergreen, woody-stemmed plants in the family Asparagaceae, native to tropical Africa, southern Asia, Madagascar, northern Australia, and the Canary Islands. Recent classification has brought the snake plants, formerly Sansevieria spp., into the genus. Growth forms range from stout, branching trees such as the dragon tree D. draco, which can reach 40 feet (12 m) over centuries, to small shrubs and stemless succulents with stiff, upright leaves. The leaves are typically long and strap-shaped, arranged in rosettes or spirals, and in many cultivated kinds are striped or edged in cream, yellow, or red. Small white to greenish flowers are carried in branched clusters and are night-scented, but plants in cultivation flower only occasionally. Some species, including D. draco, ooze a red resin known as dragon's blood when the bark is cut. Many species tolerate low light and dry air, which makes them common indoor plants, though all are slow-growing. The leaves and sap contain saponins that are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.

Native Range

Dracaena spp. is native to the tropics and subtropics of Africa, southern Asia, Madagascar, northern Australia, and Macaronesia, including the Canary Islands. Species grow in dry woodland, rocky slopes, and forest understorey.

Suggested Uses

Dracaena spp. species are grown as houseplants, office and interior plants, and, in frost-free climates, as garden shrubs and small trees. Upright cane-forming kinds are used as floor specimens, while snake plants suit low-light spots. The dragon tree and its relatives are planted as feature trees in Mediterranean and desert gardens.

How to Identify

Identify Dracaena spp. by its rosettes or spirals of long, strap-shaped evergreen leaves, often on a woody trunk or cane-like stem. Cut stems and roots are frequently orange to red inside, and several species bleed a red resin. Branched clusters of small, six-parted, scented flowers appear on mature plants.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 40'

Width/Spread1' - 20'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

red

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Flowering is irregular in cultivation and may take many years; in the wild, branched sprays of small white to greenish flowers open mainly in the warm season. The flowers are scented at night and pollinated by moths and other insects. Berries follow, ripening orange or red.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to greenish, scented

Foliage Description

Green, often variegated or red-margined

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Dracaena spp. in bright, indirect light to partial shade in well-drained soil, as houseplants in most climates and outdoors only where frost is absent. Water moderately and let the soil dry partly between waterings, since soggy soil leads to root rot. Most species are damaged below about 50°F (10°C) and are hardy outdoors only in USDA zones 9 to 12. Many tolerate the low light and dry air of indoor rooms, but leaf tips brown in very dry conditions or with fluoride and salt build-up in the soil. The leaves and sap are toxic to cats and dogs, a concern in homes with pets. Growth is slow, and plants are long-lived with little routine care.

Pruning

Dracaena spp. is pruned by cutting back tall or bare canes, which then resprout from below the cut. Lower leaves yellow and drop with age and are removed to keep stems tidy. Cut canes can be rooted to make new plants.