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Dracaena are popular houseplants with many types to choose from. Let us introduce you to the most beloved and stunning varieties of Dracaena plants.
Dracaena contains over fifty distinct species belonging to the Asparagaceae family. Their appearance varies in size, leaf shape, and color. We’ve created a list of some of the most popular and stunning varieties of Dracaena plants. Our blog also includes their distinctive features for you to enjoy.
Did you know that certain varieties of Dracaena plants help purify the air? A NASA study revealed! Dracaena Deremensis, Marginata, Warneckei, and Massangeana could remove certain environmental toxins. These plants could remove some of the hazardous chemicals. It can eliminate substances such as xylene, formaldehyde, and toluene.
Dracaena species are among the most shade-tolerant indoor houseplants. They’re drought tolerant, so you can neglect your plants and still get great results.
Varieties of Dracaena Plants
Dracaena Deremensis
Dracaena Deremensis is an attractive houseplant. Its appearance proves it with broad, dark green leaves and bushy foliage. This variety thrives well in indirect light conditions and can tolerate some shade. There are many beautiful cultivars of Dracaena Deremensis available to choose from.
Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’
The ‘Janet Craig’ dracaena plant is a flowering shrub with glossy dark-green leaves. It can grow up to 24″ (60 cm) long and 3″ (7.5 cm) wide. It has an arched lance-shaped leaf covering the stem as it climbs. As the tree-like structure matures, leaves drop, revealing an impressive woody core.
Dracaena’ Janet Craig’ features clusters of delicate white flowers on a thick stem. This indoor variety can only bloom under ideal conditions.
Warneckii Dracaena
Dracaena’ Warneckii’ is one of the most beloved variegated varieties of dragon plants. This dracaena boasts long sword-shaped green leaves with broad creamy-white bands. This is ideal for indoor cultivation in low or indirect bright light conditions. Dracaena’ Warneckii can grow up to 2 ft (60 cm) tall and resembles a small, spiky tree.
Warneckii dracaena thrives best in average room temperatures of 60°F to 80°F (16°C – 27C°). You may also grow varieties of dracaena outdoors, provided the temperature doesn’t dip below 55°F (13°F).
Dracaena’ Lucky Bamboo’
Lucky bamboo is a dracaena plant with light green stems and lanceolate foliage. It is often sold with curled tops and several leaves growing from it. These hardy plants can thrive in soilless mixes or even water.
Lucky bamboo is a grown indoor plant in Asia that’s said to bring good luck. Contrary to its name, this plant species does not belong to the bamboo family. Its name comes from its upright, straight stems resembling bamboo stalks. Dracaena Sanderiana is called Curly Bamboo, Chinese Water Bamboo, and more.
Dracaena Song of India
The Song of India dracaena has impressive vibrant yellow-cream and green foliage. The sword-shaped variegated leaves grow in clusters. It goes straight to the upright stem in three or four rows. Each features a thick green band in the center with light yellow margins.
Song of India’s leaves has unique reflexes–meaning they tend to bend at 90 degrees in the center. On rare occasions when these flowers are indoors! They will produce white fragrant clusters followed by orange-red berries.
Dracaena Limelight
Limelight dracaena plants stand out due to their light electric lime-green leaves. This unusual foliage color appears almost translucent, making it the most captivating variety. Even in partial or full shade, these vibrant green leaves maintain their vibrant hue.
Indoors, ‘Limelight’ dracaena plants can reach 5 feet (1.5 meters). To maintain optimal growth conditions, keep the potting mix moist but never soggy or damp.
Video credit: @Planterina
A Care Guide to Dracaena Plants
Dracaena plants are generally easy to care for, but there are a few essential tips you should be aware of. With the correct care, your plant can thrive indoors for years. While providing lush green foliage to match any decor.
Here is a handy care guide we created for growing plants from the Dracaena species:
Soil Need
Make sure your potting mix for dracaena plants is loose. Also, it is rich in organic material and has excellent drainage. A suitable combination is one part peat moss, one part perlite, and one part houseplant soil. This blend provides essential nutrients while allowing excess water to drain fast.
Perfect Humidity and Temperature
Dracaenas thrive best when temperatures are above 65℉ (15 °C). It is to protect their leaves from damage caused by sudden cold snaps. It keeps them away from drafty doors and windows during the winter months.
Dracaena houseplants thrive in higher humidity levels during summer. It’s like when people expose them to heat and forced-air environments. If your dracaena leaves are brown and brittle, that could be a sign of a deficiency in humidity. To remedy the situation! Either move the plant into an area with natural humidity with the addition of a humidifier. Another way is to pebble tray filled with water for the ideal microclimate.
Watering Dracaena Plants
Dracaenas have known for not needing much water, but when the soil dries out, they need an intensive soak! All plants need water! For example, those planted in six-inch pots need water when four inches below the top have become dry. We recommend using filtered, rainwater, or distilled water. We encourage it because these plants don’t tolerate salts or minerals. Dracaenas prefer dry soil over constant dampness. It’s only because soggy soil promotes fungus and root rot.
Dracaena Light Need
Dracaena plants thrive in bright, indirect light. Yet, avoid placing the leafy houseplant in direct sunlight. Dracaenas also thrive well in low-light settings like offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.
Fertilizing Dracaena Plants
Dracaenas don’t need fertilization. Yet, they will still benefit by feeding monthly during the growing season. The measure will be 1/4 diluted complete liquid fertilizer or fish emulsion. You may also top-dress the plant at the start of each new growing season. It is through digging some rich organic compost into the top few inches of soil.
Tips by Professionals
- We recommend filtered water, as plants in this zone are sensitive to salts. Also, chemicals are available in most tap water sources.
- If you want to lessen the size of a plant, cut away the top. Over time, new foliage will grow back at this cut, giving the illusion of more fullness.
- If your plant isn’t flourishing, try moving it to a spot with more light.
- Leaf drop could be indicative of not enough watering your dracaena! Be sure to soak the soil even each time you water.
Remember This
When purchasing new plants, inspect them or quarantine them for a few days. It is to ensure they’re free from pests before bringing them home. Inspect outdoor plants many times when moving outdoors. It is to avoid unwanted hitchhikers from coming along for the ride.
We appreciate you taking the time to read our piece on dracaena plant varieties and extras. You may also be interested in the plant care tips we’ve posted on our blog. Please review the rest of our website for more planting tips, and let us know what you think. We hope you enjoy this lovely day and have success with your gardening efforts
More Than the Varieties of Dracaena Plants
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of dracaena are there?<br />
The Dracaena Family is not particularly large, with around 120 species recognized worldwide. Most are native to Africa but inhabit South Asia, Northern Australia, and Central America.
Can dracaena plants live outside?<br />
Gardening beginners will find dracaena one of the most straightforward plants to cultivate. This large group of tropical plants thrives in low-light conditions. Also, in other difficult indoor growing conditions. Plus, they can also be grown outdoors in full sun.
How often does dracaena bloom?
Dracaenas can bloom two or three times a year in the wild. Yet, indoor varieties tend to be unpredictable. After one bloom, there is generally a greater likelihood of more future blooms. But the catch is no set pattern exists. Some Dracaenas bloom once a year, while others take long gaps between blooms.
How long does a dracaena plant live?
Like other slow-growing tropicals, dracaena plants can be long-lived, making them popular houseplants. Unfortunately, individual leaves usually fade or die within two or three years. It causes the plant needs to keep renewing itself. When it gets too large for its container, growers need cuttings to start new plants. In exchange for discarding the overgrown parent one.
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