Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana) Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Problems
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Dracaena godseffiana (Gold Dust Dracaena Plant) grows best in bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Gold Dust Dracaena also called Spotted-Leaf Dracaena, Japanese Bamboo or Gold Dust Plant is the odd one among the Dracaena varieties; it is distinctly shrubby with broad, oval leaves rather than palm-like with long, grassy leaves. The leaves are bright green and spotted with yellow speckles.
Dracaena godseffiana is easy to grow and is highly tolerant to a wide range of growing conditions, but it does not like to be exposed to intense sunlight. It is a very hardy plant and will tolerate heavy pruning and some level of neglect.
Botanical name: Dracaena godseffiana
Synonym: Dracaena surculosa
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Common names: Gold Dust Dracaena, Spotted-Leaf Dracaena, Japanese Bamboo, Gold Dust Plant
Origin
Dracaena godseffiana also called Dracaena surculosa is native to west and west-central tropical Africa, from Guinea to the Republic of the Congo.
Size
Dracaena godseffiana is a small-sized plant which grows to a height of about 2 feet. It is one of the loved plants for the limited spaces in the home or office.
Varieties
Several varieties of Dracaena godseffiana are available. One variety is Dracaena godseffiana Florida Beauty which is more cream than green.
Other varieties are Dracaena godseffiana kelleri which bears more thicker leaves and Dracaena godseffiana Milky Way which has a creamish stripe in the middle of the leaf among many others.
Is Dracaena godseffiana toxic?
Yes. Dracaena godseffiana is toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. Gold Dust Dracaena leaves and fruits contain alkyds which are toxic to humans, cats, dogs, horses and other animals. If ingested they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, loss of appetite and depression.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to add Dracaena surculosa to your collection? You may acquire these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Gold Dust Dracaena Plant Care Indoors
To care for Dracaena godseffiana indoors, provide bright indirect light (dappled light), warmth of 15-270C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Gold Dust Dracaena Plant requires repotting when extremely root-bound as it grows best when slightly pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat, to reduce pest and disease infestations, to encourage a bushy growth and to rejuvenate growth. Lets explore the detailed care tips.
Watering
Water Dracaena godseffiana thoroughly in spring and summer until water drips through the drainage hole. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil consistently moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop
Cut down on watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely for a long period, as it can lead to wilting, drooping, yellowing, leaf drop and brown leaf tips.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent sogginess which can lead to root-rot and eventual plant death. Take care not to wet the foliage to discourage fungal diseases.
Use water that is at room temperature to prevent cold shock which can cause stunted growth and leaf loss. Only use chlorine-free water like rain water to avoid browning leaf tips and edges.
Light Requirements
Gold Dust Dracaena Plant grows best in bright indirect light (filtered light); place it infront of a large, brightly-lit, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves.
Make sure that the plant receives adequate light as too low light will cause loss of leaf variegation. If the natural lighting is not sufficient, use full spectrum grow lights to coplement it.
Give the pot a 900 turn every month, to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for symmetrical growth and to prevent leggy growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Dracaena godseffiana prefers a warmth of 15-270C. Keep it away from drafts as they can result in reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing, leaf drop, and brown leaf tips and edges.
Dracaena surculosa prospers in a humidity of 60-70%. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other humid areas in the home. Do not mist the leaves and ensure good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
Potting Soil
Gold Dust Dracaena soil should be a rich, well-draining potting mix to prevent waterlogging while providing the nutrients needed. A blend of 2 parts potting soil and 1 part perlite (for drainage) is ideal for this plant.
Fertilizer
Feed your Dracaena godseffiana every 4 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to encourage a lush growth. Withhold fertilizer in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Occasionally flush out accumulated salts, by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for a few minutes and repeat several times.
Repotting
Repot Gold Dust Dracaena at the beginning of the growing season, when roots begin to grow through the drainage holes; it prefers to be slightly root-bound.
Repot into a pot one-size larger that has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging; never allow the roots to sit in soggy soil as it can result in root-rot and death of the plant. Take a look at these ceramic pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pruning Gold Dust Dracaena involves removal of dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and discouarge pests and diseases.
Regularly cutback the stems with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors to encourage a bushy and compact growth. The foliage emanating from the pruning, can be used to propagate new plants.
Occasionally, clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.
Dracaena godseffiana Propagation
Gold Dust Dracaena is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings or by plant division. Learn how to propagate Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana).
Dracaena godseffiana Problems & Remedies
Gold Dust Dracaena problems are yellow leaves, brown leaf tips, plant dying, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their solutions.
Yellowing leaves
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Dracaena godseffiana are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, nutrient deficiency, direct sunlight and aging.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural light is not enough.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts coming from hot surfaces, hot air vents, AC units, windy doors, drafty windows among others.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 3-4 weeks in spring and summer.
Direct sunlight: Move the plant to a more shaded spot or use a light curtain to diffuse the sunrays.
Aging: This is a natural process; as the plant matures the lower leaves turn yellow and drop off.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Gold Dust Dracaena are caused by dry air, underwatering, salts buildup or drafts.
How to fix it
Dry air: To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen or laundry area.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Salts buildup: Only use chemical-free water like rain water and regularly flush out excess salts from the soil.
Drafts: Place the plant away from sources of drafts like drafty windows and doors, AC units, radiators, hot air vents, stoves and others.
Plant dying
Gold Dust Dracaena Plant is dying due to too little light, incorrect watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, use of too cold water or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot or instal a grow light if the natural light is not sufficient.
Incorrect watering: Do not water on a schedule; water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and a free-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, hot surfaces, AC units, windy doors among others.
Too cold water: Use room temperature water to prevent cold shock.
Salts buildup: Leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole.
Pests
Common pests of Dracaena godseffiana are mealybugs, scale insects and spidermites which mainly attack the weak plants.
How to fix it
- Ensure the plant is healthy at all times to minimize pest attack.
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it with neem oil and insecticidal soap. Take care to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label.
- Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Keep the plant well pruned and raise humidity to discourage the pests.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Gold Dust Dracaena easy to care for?
Yes, Gold Dust Dracaena is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in bright indirect light and requires moderate watering.
2. How do you care for Gold Dust Dracaena?
- Position it in bright indirect light away from direct sunshine.
- Maintain a warmth of 15-270C away from drafts.
- Grow it in rich, moderately moist, well-drained soil.
- Feed it monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer in spring and summer.
- Maintain a humidity of 60-70%.
- Repot when it becomes pot-bound.
- Regularly remove dead foliage.
- Cutback the leggy and strangly stems to rejuvenate growth and control growth.
- Regularly inspect the plant for pests and take timely control measures.
3. Can Gold Dust Dracaena grow in low light?
Yes, but Gold Dust Dracaena will grow more slowly and may lose some of its vibrant yellow speckles
4. How long does Gold Dust Dracaena live?
With proper care, Gold Dust Dracaena can live for many years, making it a great long-term houseplant
5. Why are my Gold Dust Dracaena’s leaves turning brown?
Gold Dust Dracaena brown leaves are usually caused by low humidity, dry soil, or salts buidup.
6. Why are the leaves of my Gold Dust Dracaena leaves turning yellow?
Gold Dust Dracaena leaves may turn yellow due to overwatering, underwatering, root-rot, inadequate light, poor feeding, wrong temperature, pests or diseases.
7. Why is my Gold Dust Dracaena dying?
Your Gold Dust Dracaena may be dying from soggy soil, too little light, direct sunlight, low humidity, extreme temperatures, improper feeding, pests or diseases.
You liked it? Share on social media.
Related Content
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.