Are you too bored with your indoors? Then it needs a change. How about bringing in some green friends? So, if you are looking forward to decorating your indoors with beautiful plants, Dracaena could be your first choice.
The excellent news is that Dracaena also grows well outdoors, which could make them a great addition to your garden.
And don’t fret if the name of these plants sounds too alien to you, as you might be familiar with some plants in this family. Also, you have a lot of catching up on the history of dracaena plants.
What are Dracaena Plants?
Dracaena plants belong to the Asparagaceae family and Nolinoideae subfamily.
You might find it surprising to know that Dracaena is a Greek word that means female dragons. Some cultivars in this species of plants have bleeding red sap similar to dragon’s blood.
The red sap has multiple benefits apart from the medicinal ones that make this plant a part of spiritualism.
The Dracaena genus has 120 shrubs and trees that are grown indoors and outdoors, depending on the favorable conditions. The lush and evergreen foliage of Dracaena plants makes them attractive and fresh. It does not change with different shapes and sizes that Dracaena plants can take, starting as small as a couple of feet tall to towering several stories.
So, if Dracaena plants have grabbed all your attention by now, and you want to decorate your walls and tables with them, you might wonder where to start.
Types Of Dracaena Plants To Grow Indoors And Outdoors
Dracaena plants could be grown both indoors and outdoors. Here we have discussed some kinds of dracaena plants to help you select.
#1. Striped Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis warneckii ulyses)
Striped Dracaena is a perfect fit for beginners as it is easy to grow without much hassle. So, if you have empty corners inside your house, Striped Dracaena is what you need at those places. It can add value and brighten the corners being long and sleek in shape.
As its common name suggests, Striped Dracaena is famous for its white-striped leaves that are long, dark green. It grows well indoors with well-drained houseplant potting soil and adapts to various light conditions.
Striped Dracaena grows well in temperatures between 65°F to 80°F with a bright and indirect light preference. However, you might need to mist the leaves regularly in arid environments.
You can make it a part of your indoors without any worries as it is non-toxic to humans, but it would help if you were a bit careful with pets.
#2. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
The dragon tree is as intimidating as its name and makes it to the top of the list of popular houseplants. Dracaena marginata attracts every eye with tall, skinny trunks with green sprouts of long red-tipped leaves distributed at the top.
Interestingly, if you want to put a plant peeping behind your sofa and greet your guests, this tall, slender silhouette will do the job. Dracaena marginata even adds colors to blank walls and height to your collection of houseplants.
It is also fit for beginners with its low maintenance features and can thrive in a wide variety of conditions. You can prepare slightly moist soil in a moderate to the bright indirect light area, and your dragon tree will flourish forever.
#3. Cornstalk (Dracaena fragrans)
Dracaena fragrans is a multi-stemmed flowering shrub with multiple cultivars. Cornstalk forms the common name of Dracaena fragrans as it closely resembles the corn crops. So, if you are a beginner to indoor planting, Dracaena fragans can be a part of your plant bucket list as it is easy to grow and tolerates a wide variety of environmental conditions.
Also, Dracaena fragans gives your indoors a blooming look with sprays of small, white flowers. What you will like the most about cornstalk is its thick stems surrounded by a drape of long, broad, and glossy green leaves. It prefers light shade and even survives in low to bright sunlight.
However, you must ensure loose, well-drained soil for Dracaena fragans to grow well, as this plant prefers some moisture in the ground but does not sit in standing water. Hence, you must follow light misting once a week.
#4. Corn Plant (Dracaena deremensis)
Dracaena deremensis is also known as the corn plant due to its close resemblance with the actual corn stalk. The lush clutches of deep green leaves are the attractive point of the corn plant, and that’s how it derives the common name.
This is a native of Africa and is famous worldwide as an indoor plant. It requires low maintenance to proliferate, and thus, is beginner-friendly. The soil needed for corn plants is the same as the corn stalk Dracaena, which prefers well-draining soil.
Dracaena deremensis prefers low light and thrives in medium warm to bright indirect sunlight. The moisture requirement is the same as corn stalk plants, and misting once a week works fine.
#5. Song of India (Dracaena reflexa)
Dracena reflexa has got an interesting common name, the song of India, due to its rich roots in India. It is native to Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, and many islands in the Indian Ocean.
It is more like a tree with thick stems and striking evergreen leaves. The leaves gain an attractive look due to the light and dark green stripes with cream-colored margins.
Dracaena reflexa prefers medium to full indirect or filtered sunlight and thrives well in well-draining soil. Though it requires low maintenance, you must water it regularly before the soil dries completely.
#6. Gold Dust (Dracaena surculosa)
Gold dust is a particular type of Dracaena plant with unique characteristics and requirements. The common name of Dracaena surculosa comes from the sprouts of yellow or white speckled dark-green leaves that give it a dusty gold appearance.
Gold dust is native to the tropical rainforests of Africa. You can differentiate Dracaena surculosa from other Dracaena plants due to its outstanding leafy appearance that overrides the stems. Thus, you can consider gold dust as more of Evergreen trees.
You must ensure a moderately humid environment for Dracaena surculose and avoid cold vents and drafts. It requires more frequent watering compared to other Dracaena plants. Hence, you must water at least twice a week to ensure better growth of your gold dust plants.
#7. Canary Islands Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco)
Remember the concept of dragon’s blood for Dracaena plants? Dracaena draco is known as the dragon tree due to its red sap. The red sap resembles the dragon’s blood.
Canary Islands Dragon Tree is native to the Canary Islands and has a unique silhouette. You can grow it indoors and outdoors as it prefers medium to full sunlight. Plus, It can tolerate cooler temperatures than other Dracaena plants.
#8. Dracaena Tree (Dracaena Arborea)
Do you want to get a small palm tree for your indoors? Then Dracaena Arborea is the perfect fit for you. It closely resembles a type of palm tree with sword-shaped green leaves.
This plant prefers bright indirect sunlight with moderate humidity, but you must avoid Dracaena Arborea from cold or hot air drafts and vents. It has a typical water requirement, i.e., misting it twice a week.
Remember to keep your pets away from the Dracaena tree as it is toxic to cats and dogs.
#9. Mass Cane (Dracaena fragrans massangeana)
Mass cane is another version of a corn plant with cane-like branches. Dracaena fragrans massangeana is also a native to Africa that thrives in numerous soil types. However, the soil must offer good drainage.
Mass cane sprouts green and yellow striped leaves that add beauty to its branched structure. It is also a beginner-friendly Dracaena plant that requires low maintenance.
However, you must keep it away from direct sunlight. The best way is to keep it under bright but indirect sunlight, and most importantly, you must avoid extreme conditions. The water rule for Mass cane is also unique compared to other Dracaena plants.
#10. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Dracaena trifasciata might sound alien to you, but you must have come across many familiar names of this Dracaena plant. It is most commonly known as a snake plant due to its close resemblance to snakes.
People call it with different names, such as mother-in-law’s tongue, viper’s bowstring, golden bird’s nest, Saint George’s sword, and the good luck plant.
The best characteristics of snake plants lie in their rosettes of stiff pointed green leaves combined with yellow or light-green markings.
The sunlight needed for Dracaena trifasciata is bright and filtered light. Therefore, you must avoid shallow light or bright and direct light.
Even if you are a beginner at gardening, you can choose snake plants indoors. The best part about snake plants is that they can tolerate drought environments better than other Dracaena plants.
Bonus Read: Different Types of Agave Plants For Your Backyard & Garden
Final Verdict
So now you know the different types of Dracaena plants to consider indoors and outdoors. Then why not make it a part of your home decor.
The list is ready, and all you need is a desire to enhance your garden appearance and grow the perfect Dracaena plant.