About
An upright, evergreen, tropical shrub with glossy, lance-shaped leaves to 30cm long; these are borne in dense rosettes around the cane-like stems. Its compact, slender habit and tolerance of a range of conditions make it a popular houseplant.
About the genus
Dracaena are evergreen trees, the few branches bearing linear to lance-shaped leaves often crowded towards the tips; on mature plants, small greenish-white flowers may be followed by orange or red berries
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
ToxicityPets (dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun. Water moderately in the growing season and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly; water sparingly in winter. Top dress or pot on in spring. See Dracaena for further advice
PruningNo pruning required, although weak stems may be shortened to 15cm in spring, and the resulting cutting used to propagate a new plant
PropagationPropagate by sowing seed at 20°C in spring; root semi-ripe cuttings and leafless stem sections with bottom heat in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects, glasshouse red spider mite, thrips and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free