8 Types of Dracaena Plants Varieties with Pictures and Care Guides

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Dracaena plants are popular indoor plants on account of their ability to easily adapt to indoor growing conditions and their spectacular foliage which will provide a bold and attractive focal point in any space.

The Dracaena Plants can be divided into two groups; tree-like 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 species) have been added to the Dracaena group based on molecular phylogenetic studies.

Most of the Dracaena 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', meaning 'female dragon'.

Dracaeana Plants 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. They are some of the best air purifying plants.

Dracaeana are easy-care plants which flourish in bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth, moderate room humidity and moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

One disadvantage of Dracaeana Plants is that they 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. 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

The most popular types of Dracaena Plants for indoors are Dracaena fragrans, Dracaena marginata, Dracaena deremensis, Dracaena draco, Dracaena godseffiana, Dracaena sanderiana, Dracaena reflexa among others.

1. Corn Palm (Dracaena fragrans)

Corn Palm also called Corn Plant, Striped Dracaena or Compact Dracaena is an easy care plant whose glossy, large, yellow-striped leaves will brighten up any space even the dullest of places.

Striped Dracaena is a slow grower but can reach a height of 6 feet and a width of 2 feet. On account of its size and striking foliage, it is one of the best indoor plants for the living room.

Dracaena fragrans flourishes in bright, indirect light (dappled light), average warmth of 16-28⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

2. Dracaena deremensis

Dracaena deremensis is a slow growing Dracaena species which bears dark-green foliage with one or more longitudinal stripes in a different color.

At maturity, Dracaena deremensis can reach a height of 4 feet and the leaves are about 1.5 feet long. It is one the best large-leafed bold statement plants for the home. The young plants may be grown as part of a mixed group with the various leaf patterns complementing and overlapping one another.

Dracaena deremensis performs best in bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 18-27⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting mix coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Dracaena deremensis

3. Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco)

Dragon Tree is also called Dragon Blood Tree, Canary Islands Dragon Tree or Drago is a Dracaena plant whose bark and leaves when cut secrete a reddish resin, a substance known as dragon's blood and hence the common name.

The trunk is grey and is topped by tough sword-shaped green leaves which droop downwards as they age. Dragon Blood Tree can grow to a height of 4 feet and is one of the best tree-like plants for the indoors.

Dracaena draco performs best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-27⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

4. Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana)

Gold Dust Dracaeana, Dracaena godseffiana

Gold Dust Dracaena also called Spotted-Leaf Dracaeana, Japanese Bamboo or Gold Dust Plant is the odd one among the Dracaenas as it is distinctly shrubby with broad, oval leaves rather than palm-like with long, grassy leaves.

Spotted-Leaf Dracaeana is a compact plant which grows to a height of about 2 feet. It is one of the best plants for the limited spaces in the home or office.

Dracaena godseffiana does best in bright, indirect light (dappled light), average warmth of 15-27⁰C, high humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana)

5. Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)

Madagascar Dragon Tree is one of the most colorful of the Dracaena plants which 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-tolerant plant and is considered to be one of the hard to kill plants as it easily adapts to a wide range of growing conditions.

Dracaena marginata requires bright, indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 15-28⁰C, moderate humidity of 45-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting mix coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

6. Song of India (Dracaena reflexa)

Song of India, Pleomele, Dracaena reflexa

Song of India also called Pleomele or Song of Jamaica is a spectacular Dracaena plant which bears yellow-banded, short, narrow, pointed, green leaves, arranged spirally and are tufted at the end of the branches.

Song of Jamaica is easy to grow and can survive in low light conditions but the variegation develops best in bright light. It requires a humid environment to thrive. It is considered as one of the best plants for the bathroom.

Dracaena reflexa) grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight (filtered light), average warmth of 16-27⁰C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

7. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Lucky Bamboo also called Curly Bamboo, Ribbon Plant, Ribbon Dracaena or Chinese Water Bamboo is a popular plant due to its tolerance to neglect. It is also popular with feng shui enthusiasts because it is believed to bring good luck and hence the common name.

Curly Bamboo has highly twisted arching grey-green leaves and slender, soft and upright stems with red roots. It grows to a maximum height of 2-3 feet and the leaves are about 9 inches long which makes it ideal for small spaces. It is one of the best small low light plants for an office desk.

Dracaena sanderiana can be grown either in water or in soil. It thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-27⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

8. Snake Plants (Dracaena trifasciata)

Snake Plant, Dracaena trifasciata, Sanseviera

Snake Plants also called Mother-in-law's Tongue or Saint George's Sword are slow growing, low maintenance and extremely hardy plants which will withstand low light, dry air, drafts and drought conditions.

There are about 70 species of Snake Plants which are favoured for their variegated foliage with yellow or silvery-white stripes on the leaf margins. Here are 19 Snake Plants varieties that are perfect for the home.

Dracaena trifasciata formerly Sansevieria trifasciata prospers in bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-29⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, loose, fertile, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.