8 Types of Dracaena Plants Varieties with Pictures and Care Guides
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Dracaena plants are popular indoor plants which provide a bold and attractive focal point in any space due to their spectacular foliage and ease of care.
The Dracaena Plants can be divided into two groups; treelike Dracaenas with a leafless woody trunk on top of which is a crown of leaves and the rhizomatous Dracaenas which have underground rhizomes and leaves above the ground.
There are about 120 species in the Dracaena genus. Recently, the hardy, low-maintenance Snake Plants (Sansevieria) have been added to the Dracaena group.
Most of the species are native to Africa, southern Asia through to northern Australia, with two species in tropical Central America. The name dracaena is derived from Ancient Greek drakaina, 'female dragon'.
Dracaeana are known for their indoor air cleaning properties. As indicated by the NASA Clean Air Study, Dracaeana were found to get rid of xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloethylene from indoor air.
Related: 10 Easy Care Plants that Clean the Air (Air Purifying Plants).
Dracaeana Plants are popular indoor plants on account of their spectacular foliage and ease of care. They flourish in bright, indirect light (filtered light), average warmth, moderate room humidity and moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
However, Dracaeana Plants are toxic to both humans and pets as outlined by ASPCA. The leaves contain alkyds which if ingested may cause vomiting and excessive salivation.
If you are looking to add these magnificent plants to your collection, Dracaena Varieties are available online.
Buy Dracaena Plants online from Amazon
Buy Dracaena Plants online from Etsy
Herebelow is an outline of 8 of the most popular Dracaena Plants Varieties you can grow in the home.
8 Different Dracaena Plants for the Home
Our choice of popular types of Dracaena Plants include Dracaena fragrans, Dracaena deremensis, Dracaena draco, Dracaena godseffiana, Dracaena sanderiana, Dracaena marginata among others.
1. Corn Palm (Dracaena fragrans)
Corn Palm or Corn Plant bears glossy large yellow-striped leaves which will brighten up even the dullest of places.
As it grows, Corn Palm sheds the lower leaves leaving a bare stem with a cluster of leaves at the top.
Corn Palm is easy to grow and easily adapts to a wide range of growing conditions. It is also a good air cleaner which gets rid of xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloethylene from indoor air.
Read more on how to grow and care for Corn Palm
2. Dracaena deremensis
Dracaena deremensis is a slow growing species reaching a height of 4 ft or more when mature.
The usual foliage in Dracaena deremensis is dark-green with one or more longitudinal stripes in a different color.
Dracaena deremensis is easy to grow and is ideal as a stand alone plant or as part of a mixed group with the various leaf patterns complementing and overlapping one another.
3. Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco)
Dragon Tree is also called Dragon Blood Tree, Canary Islands Dragon Tree or Drago is a giant in its natural habitat but indoors it only grows to a height of 4 ft.
When the bark and leaves in Dragon Blood Tree are cut, they secrete a reddish resin which is one of the substances known as dragon's blood and hence the common name.
The trunk in Canary Islands Dragon Tree is grey and is topped by tough sword-shaped green leaves which droop downwards as they age.
4. Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana)
Gold Dust Dracaena also known as Spotted-Leaf Dracaeana, Japanese Bamboo or Gold Dust Plant is the odd one among the Dracaenas.
The Spotted-Leaf Dracaena is distinctly shrubby rather than palm-like and the leaves are broadly oval not long and grassy.
Japanese Bamboo grows to a height of 2 ft and the leaves are bright green and spotted with speckles.
Dracaena godseffiana is easy to grow and is highly tolerant to a wide range of growing conditions.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Gold Dust Dracaena
5. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky Bamboo also called Curly Bamboo, Ribbon Plant, Ribbon Dracaena or Chinese Water Bamboo is a popular houseplant due to its tolerance to neglect and its ability to grow in water.
The Curly Bamboo is also popular with feng shui enthusiasts because it is believed to bring good luck.
Ribbon Dracaena has highly twisted arching leaves of green color. The stems are slender, soft and upright while the roots are red.
6. Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
Madagascar Dragon Tree has a tall, snake-like trunk which branches with age. The narrow, arching leaves are edged in red.
Dracaena marginata produces a red, gum-like resin in the stems that was likened to dragon blood and hence the common name.
The Madagascar Dragon Tree is a tough, drought-resistant, hard to kill plant that is also a good air cleaner. It gets rid of xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloethylene from indoor air.
7. Snake Plants (Dracaena trifasciata)
Snake Plants also called Mother-in-law's Tongue or Saint George's Sword is a slow growing, low maintenance and extremely hardy houseplant which is also a good air cleaner.
Dracaena trifasciata can withstand low light, dry air, draughts and periods without water. The major drawback for these plants is root-rot due to overwatering.
Mother-in-law's Tongue Plants have been shown to be excellent for air purification as they produce oxygen at night.
8. Song of India (Dracaena reflexa)
Song of India Plant also called Pleomele is a compact, weak-stemmed plant which requires moist air and is ideal for a table-top plant.
The yellow-banded short, narrow, pointed green leaves in Song of India are arranged spiraly on a stem about 3 ft high. They are tufted at the end of the branches.
Pleomele is easy to grow and can survive in low light but the variegation develops best under bright light.
Read more on how to grow and care for Song of India Plant
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.