Dracaena reflexa (Song of India Plant) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Solutions
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Dracaena reflexa (Song of India Plant) thrives in bright indirect light, average warmth, high humidity and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Song of India Plant brings a tropical, elegant touch to any home or office. This guide will cover everything you need to know about caring for, propagating, and solving common issues with this plant.
Dracaena reflexa also called Pleomele or Song of Jamaica is one of the spectacular Dracaena varieties and bears yellow-banded, short, narrow, pointed, green leaves, arranged spirally at the end of the branches. The stems are weak and about 3 feet high.
Unlike its cousin Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena draco) which is tree-like, Song of Jamaica is ideal for the limited spaces in the home or office on account of its compact size.
Botanical name: Dracaena reflexa
Synonym: Pleomele reflexa
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Common names: Song of India Plant, Pleomele, Song of Jamaica
Origin
Dracaena reflexa is native to Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius and other nearby islands of the Indian Ocean.
Is Dracaena reflexa poisonous?
Dracaena reflexa is toxic to both humans and pets as outlined by ASPCA. The leaves contain a substance which is toxic. If ingested they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, loss of appetite and depression. Keep the plant away from children, cats, dogs, and other pets to avoid any mishaps.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to acquire Song of India Plants, you may obtain these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How do you care for a Dracaena reflexa indoors?
To care for Dracaena reflexa indoors provide bright indirect light (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.
Song of India Plant care requires regular pruning to keep the plant neat, to minimize pests and diseases and to encourage a bushy growth. It has no need for frequent repotting as it grows best when slightly root-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often should I water Dracaena reflexa?
Do not water your Dracaena reflexa on a schedule to avoid either overwatering or underwatering both of which can be disastrous to the plant.
Water your Dracaena reflexa thoroughly in spring and summer while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent yellowing and rotting.
Decrease watering in fall and winter as growth is reduced at this time. Maintain the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting and drooping leaves, browning leaf tips and curling edges.
Avoid soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant; use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking the plant. Make sure that the water is free of chlorine, flourides and other chemicals to prevent brown leaf tips.
Light Requirements
Can Song of India Plant tolerate low light?
Song of India Plant grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light). Position it infront of a large, brightly-lit window away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaves; brown, crispy leaves.
Tough it can survive in lower light conditions, the variegation develops best under bright light. If the light is too low, the plant becomes leggy and leaf colors fade. You may grow the plant under grow lights if the natural light is not adequate.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Pleomele prefers an average warmth of 16-270C. Keep it away from drafts to avoid temperature flactuations which can lead to brown leaf tips and edges.
Song of India Plant requires a humidity of 60-70% to thrive. Brown leaf tips is an indication of low humidity. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier. Do not mist the plant and maintain good air flow for the plant to minimize fungal diseases.
You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other humid areas in the home. Dracaena reflexa is one of the best plants for the bathroom on account of its affinity for humid conditions.
Fertilizer
What is the best fertilizer for Song of India Plant?
Feed your Song of India Plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer for a lush growth.
Withhold feeding in fall and winter as growth is minimal. Feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn which is indicated by brown leaf tips and edges.
Occasionally 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.
Potting Soil
What is the best soil mix for Dracaena reflexa?
The best soil for Dracaena reflexa is a light, well-draining soil that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. A mix of 50% potting soil, 25% perlite (for drainage), and 25% peat moss or coco coir (for moisture retention) is perfect for this plant.
Repotting
Repot your Song of India Plant at the beginning of the growing season (spring) when the roots begin to grow through the drainage holes as it prefers to be slightly root-bound.
Use a pot 1 size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Never allow the roots to sit in soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pruning Song of India Plant involves:
- Removal of dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and reduce pest and disease infestations.
- Cutting back the stems to encourage a bushy and compact growth. New stems will sprout below the cut. The foliage emanating from the pruning, can be used to propagate new plants.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pests infestation.
Dracaena reflexa Propagation
Dracaena reflexa (Song of India Plant) can be propagated from stem cuttings at the beginning of the growing season (spring) when the plant is actively growing.
1. How to propagate Song of India Plant from stem cuttings in soil
- Take 4-6 inches long stem cuttings from a healthy plant and ensure each cutting has some leaf nodes as this is where new growth will come from.
- Dip the lower cut-end of the cuttings in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
- Fill a rooting container with free-draining rooting soil. Lightly moisten the rooting mix.
- With a pencil or similar object, make a hole in the moist rooting mix. The hole should be slightly wider than the diameter of the cutting.
- Insert 2-3 inches of the lower cut end of the cutting in the previously made hole in the moist rooting mix and lightly firm the soil around the cutting.
- Cover the container with clear polythene sheet to increase humidity for faster establishment.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid cooking the plants.
- Maintain the soil moist through out until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.
2. How to propagate Song of India Plant from stem cuttings in water
- Take 4-6 inches long stem cuttings from a healthy plant and ensure each cutting has some leaf nodes as this is where new growth will come from.
- Place the cuttings in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station. Ensure that at least one leaf node is submerged, but keep the leaves above water.
- Position the set up in a warm spot under bright indirect light and change the water every 3-5 days to prevent bacterial growth.
- Rooting should occur in 3-6 weeks. Once the roots are about 2-3 inches long, prepare to transfer the cuttings into soil.
- Select a small pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting.
- Fill the pot with well-drained soil and moisten the soil slightly.
- Make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the new plant.
- Place the new plant in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep.
- Position the set up in warm, well-lit spot and maintain the soil moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.
Related Content: How to Propagate Dracaena Plants by 4 Propagation Methods
Dracaena reflexa Problems & Remedies
Dracaena reflexa (Song of India Plant) problems are yellowing leaves, brown leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, plant dying, diseases, and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Yellowing leaves
Why are the leaves on my Song of India Plant turning yellow?
The leaves on your Song of India Plant are turning yellow due to overwatering, soggy soil, temperature stress and aging.
How to fix it
Overwatering: Do not water on a schedule. Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out.
Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows and others.
Aging: As the plant matures, it sheds the lower leaves. Each lower leaf turns yellow and dries leaving a crown of leaves on top of the cane-like stem.
Check out these 14 reasons why a Dracaena leaves are yellowing and their solutions.
Brown leaves
Why are the leaves on my Song of India Plant turning brown?
Some of the causes of brown leaves on your Song of India Plant are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, and extreme temperatures.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 1-2 inches dry out. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Extreme temperatures: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from AC units, drafty windows, heat sources, windy doors and others.
Drooping leaves
Why is my Song of India Plant drooping?
Drooping leaves on your Song of India Plant are caused by underwatering, extreme temperatures, and direct sunlight.
How to fix it
Underwatering: Do not allow the soil to dry out completely; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry.
Extreme temperatures: Avoid exposing the plant to hot or cold air from heating vents, windy doors, AC units, stoves and others.
Direct sunlight: Position the plant away from direct sunlight or use a light curtain to filter the sunshine.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Song of India Plant are caused by dry air, underwatering, salts buildup, and cold drafts.
How to fix it
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to elevate humidity.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Salts buildup: Use rain water or filtered water to water the plant. Regularly flush out salts from the soil.
Cold drafts: Keep the plant away from cold drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units and others.
Plant dying
Song of India Plant is dying due to root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.
How to revive a dying plant
- Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.
- Trim brown-black mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as indicated on the label.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.
- Do not water the plant immediately; keep it dry for 5-7 days before you resume watering.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
- Decrease watering in fall and winter as growth is slowed at this time; keep the soil slightly moist.
Pests
Common pests in Song of India Plant are mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites.
How to fix it
- Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' recommendations.
- Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep the pests away.
- Keeping the plant well pruned reduces the hiding and breeding places for these pests.
Conclusion
Song of India Plant (Dracaena reflexa) is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant that adds a touch of tropical elegance to any indoor space. By providing the right light, water, and humidity, you can keep this plant healthy and vibrant year-round.
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