Dracaena Varieties

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What all dracaenas share

Dracaenas are a large genus of tropical plants grown primarily for their striking, often dramatically variegated foliage. Most are native to Africa, though some species originate in Asia. They share several key traits: tolerance for low to medium indoor light, drought tolerance, slow growth, and sensitivity to fluoride and mineral salts in tap water. Fluoride sensitivity is the most common source of confusion: brown leaf tips on dracaena almost always indicate tap water fluoride, not underwatering or disease. Filtered or distilled water prevents it.

In 2017, extensive reclassification moved snake plants (formerly Sansevieria) into the Dracaena genus. You may see snake plants listed as Dracaena trifasciata in newer sources; care requirements are unchanged.

Dracaena marginata (dragon tree)

Marginata is one of the most recognizable houseplants in the world: slender, arching leaves with dark green centers and narrow red or burgundy margins, growing in tufts from the tops of thin, upright canes. Older plants develop an architectural, sculptural look as lower leaves drop and the canes lengthen and branch.

It is one of the most forgiving dracaenas and one of the best houseplants for neglect-tolerant indoor growing. It handles low light, infrequent watering, and low humidity better than most foliage plants. Several cultivars exist: 'Tricolor' adds cream to the red-and-green pattern; 'Colorama' has broader red bands that can nearly overwhelm the green.

Dracaena fragrans (corn plant)

Fragrans has broad, arching leaves in rosettes, resembling a smaller version of a corn or sugarcane plant. The most commonly sold form is 'Massangeana', which has a broad yellow stripe running down the center of each leaf. 'Janet Craig' is the solid dark green form, slightly more tolerant of low light than the variegated types.

Corn plant is one of the easiest large houseplants available. It handles low to medium light, tolerates irregular watering, and grows steadily without much attention. It is a common office plant for exactly these reasons. Very old specimens can bloom indoors, producing small white flowers with a strong fragrance.

Dracaena compacta

Compacta produces tight, compact rosettes of short, very dark green leaves, giving it a sculptural, almost rigid appearance compared to the arching forms of marginata and fragrans. It grows extremely slowly, which makes it a good fit for small spaces that need a long-lived, low-maintenance plant.

It is one of the most tolerant dracaenas for low light and infrequent watering. It is often sold as a single cane or a cluster of several canes at different heights. Because it is so slow-growing, it rarely needs repotting.

Dracaena reflexa (Song of India / Song of Jamaica)

Reflexa has a naturally branching, shrubby growth habit with spirally arranged leaves that curve slightly at the tips. The most popular form, 'Song of India', has leaves edged with bright yellow-cream margins against dark green centers. 'Song of Jamaica' (sometimes called 'Warneckii reflexa') has white or cream margins.

The branching habit makes reflexa look quite different from the cane-structured forms and gives it a bushier, more tropical look. It is slightly more demanding of light than marginata or compacta; insufficient light causes the variegation to fade.

Dracaena deremensis cultivars

Several popular cultivars are grouped under Dracaena deremensis (now often classified under D. fragrans as well). 'Warneckii' has dark green leaves with white or grey longitudinal stripes, giving it a clean, graphic look. 'Lemon Lime' has bright chartreuse and lime green stripes, one of the most vivid color combinations in the dracaena family.

Both cultivars tolerate medium light and are among the more colorful options in the genus. 'Lemon Lime' in particular makes a strong statement in a bright room.

Dracaena sanderiana (lucky bamboo)

Lucky bamboo is Dracaena sanderiana, a slender-stemmed dracaena that resembles bamboo in form but is not related to it. It is sold in water or soil, and the stems are often twisted, braided, or arranged in decorative configurations and tied with ribbon. It is widely sold as a feng shui gift plant.

Lucky bamboo can grow indefinitely in water as long as the water is changed every 1 to 2 weeks and liquid fertilizer is added occasionally. It tolerates low light well. Like all dracaenas it is sensitive to fluoride; use filtered or distilled water to prevent yellowing.

Dracaena trifasciata (snake plant)

What most people know as Sansevieria is now officially Dracaena trifasciata. The snake plant shares the dracaena family's drought tolerance and low-light adaptability, taken to an extreme: it is one of the most indestructible houseplants available. The reclassification is recent and the name Sansevieria remains widely used in the trade. Care is identical regardless of which name you use.