How to Grow and Care for Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana) Indoors
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Botanical name: Dracaena godseffiana
Synonym: Dracaena surculosa
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Common names: Gold Dust Dracaena, Spotted-Leaf Dracaena, Japanese Bamboo, Gold Dust Plant
Description
Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana) also called Spotted-Leaf Dracaena, Japanese Bamboo, Gold Dust Plant is the odd one among the Dracaenas.
Spotted-Leaf Dracaena is distinctly shrubby rather than palm-like and the leaves are broadly oval not long and grassy.
The leaves are bright green and spotted with yellow speckles. Unlike other Dracaena it grows to a height of about 2 ft only.
Gold Dust Dracaena is easy to care for and highly tolerant to a wide range of growing conditions. However, it does not like to be exposed to intense sunlight.
Spotted-Leaf Dracaena is a very hardy houseplant which tolerates heavy pruning and neglect.
Origin
Dracaena godseffiana is native to west and west-central tropical Africa, from Guinea to the Republic of the Congo.
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.
Where to Buy
Japanese Bamboo is a spectacular plant to add to your collection. These plants are readily available online as Etsy. Buy your Dracaena Plants online from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Dracaena godseffiana Care Indoors
Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana) thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding.
Spotted-leaf Dracaena has no need for frequent repotting as it grows best when pot-bound. Frequent pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat as well as rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Gold Dust Dracaena grows best in bright, filtered light; close to an east- or a west-facing window. It can also grow under a grow light. In low light the plant will lose its variegation.
Keep Spotted-Leaf Dracaena away from direct sunlight as it leads to sun burn on leaves. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Watering
Water Gold Dust Dracaena thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil consistently moist.
Cut down watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time.
Avoid soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot disease. Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.
Use water that is at room temperature that is free of chlorine, flourides and other chemicals to prevent brown leaf tips. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Temperature
Dracaena godseffiana requires a cool to average warmth with a minumum of 100C. Protect it from cold draughts to prevent brown leaf tips. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity
Gold Dust Dracaena requires high humidity inorder to thrive. Set pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to raise humidity. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Clean the leaves by damp-wiping to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations. Read more on how to clean houseplants.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Gold Dust Dracaena every 4 weeks during the growing period with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Withhold fertilizer in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Regularly flush out accumulated salts from the soil 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. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
Repotting
Repot Japanese Bamboo at the beginning of the growing season when roots begin to grow through the drainage holes; the plant prefers to be slightly root-bound.
Repot into a pot one-size larger than the current one and one that has drainage holes to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Never allow the roots to sit in soggy soil as it may lead to root-rot disease.
Soil
The best soil for Gold Dust Dracaena should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal. Purchase quality Potting Mix for Spotted-leaf Dracaena from Etsy.
Pruning
Pruning Dracaena godseffiana involves removal of dead and yellow leaves to maintain plant neat and tidy. Regularly cut back the stems to encourage a bushy and compact growth.
The foliage emanating from the pruning, can be used to propagate new plants. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Propagation
Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings or by plant division.
Photo Credit: Aylett Nurseries
Dracaena godseffiana Problems Indoors
Gold Dust Dracaena Dracaena godseffiana() problems indoors are as a result of cultural faults in watering, lighting and humidity. They include brown leaf tips, yellowing, leaf spots, plant death, pests and diseases among others. Continue reading for the remedies and solutions.
Brown leaf tips and yellow edges
There are four possible reasons for brown tips and yellow edges in Gold Dust Dracaena. One reason for brown tips and yellow edges is too dry air (too low humidity).
To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray use a humidifier. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
The second reason for brown tips and yellow edges in Spotted-Leaf Dracaena is underwatering.
Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
The third reason for brown tips and yellow edges in Japanese Bamboo is chemical accumulation in the soil.
Use chemical-free water to water Dracaena like rain water and regularly flush out salts from the soil.
The fourth reason for brown tips and yellow edges in Gold Dust Dracaena is cold draughts.
Place it away from cold draughts and maintain an average warmth with a minumum of 100C.
Yellowing leaves
Gold Dust Dracaena yellowing leaves are caused by many and varied reasons. One reason for yellowing leaves is improper watering; either underwatering or overwatering.
Overwatering results in soggy soil which causes the roots to die. When the roots die, they cannot take up water and other nutrients required for the health of the plant. The plant starts dying and this starts from the leaves, thus, the yellowing leaves.
Underwatering results in too little moisture in the soil and therefore the plant cannot absorb the nutrients required for healthy growth of the plant. The plant begins to die, beginning from the leaves which turn yellow.
Therefore, to prevent yellowing leaves in Japanese Bamboo, maintain the soil slightly moist at all times during the growing season and reduce watering in the cold season but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Read more on 14 Reasons for Dracaena Yellowing Leaves | Dracaena Yellow Leaves
Plant death
Gold Dust Dracaena dying is an indication of root-rot. The Dracaena is prone to root-rot disease if allowed to sit in soggy soil for long.
Ensure that there is free drainage of both the soil and the pot and also reduce watering in the cold season to avoid getting soggy soil.
Keeping Spotted-Leaf Dracaena too cold will also kill it; maintain a cool to average room temperature with a minumum of 100C and protect it from cold draughts to prevent sudden changes in temperature.
Another reason for the death of Gold Dust Dracaena is accumulation of salts in the soil; regularly flush out salts from the soil by regularly running a stream of water through the soil.
Soft and curled leaves with brown edges
If the temperature is too low for Gold Dust Dracaena, the leaves become soft and curled and the edges turn brown. Maintain a cool to average room temperature for Japanese Bamboo and keep it away from cold draughts (drafts).
Brown leaf spots
Gold Dust Dracaena will form brown leaf spots if it is underwatered. Maintain the soil slightly moist at all times during the growing season and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Bleached, dry leaf patches
Bleached, dry leaf patches in Gold Dust Dracaena are sunscorch marks caused by exposure of the plant to direct sunlight.
Move the Spotted-Leaf Dracaena to a shadier spot where it will receive bright, indirect light and protect it from direct sunlight to prevent sunscorching.Pests
Gold Dust Dracaena pests; mealy bugs, scale insects and spider mites.
Isolate the affected Japanese Bamboo to prevent spread to other plants and treat it appropriately for the pests with appropriate products like neem oil, insecticidal soap among others..
Is Gold Dust Dracaena toxic?
Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana) is toxic to both humans and pets as indicate by ASPCA.
The leaves and fruits contain alkyds which are toxic. If ingested they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, loss of appetite and depression.
