Types Of Dracaena: Learn About Different Dracaena Plants

Dracaena is a popular houseplant for many reasons, not least of which is the spectacular foliage that comes in a number of shapes, colors, sizes, and even patterns such as stripes. There are many different dracaena plant varieties, so check them all out before you choose your next houseplant or two.

About Dracaena Plant Varieties

There are many kinds of dracaenas that are commonly used as houseplants. One reason that they are so popular indoors is that they are easy to grow and maintain. They accept low and indirect light and only need to be watered about once a week. A little fertilizer once or twice a year is all these plants need, and pruning isn’t necessary very often either. These plants became famous when a NASA study found that they can cleanse indoor air of toxins. There are many different dracaena plants to try, and by choosing a few for your home, you can get a great range of stunning foliage as well as cleaner, healthier air.

Popular Varieties of Dracaena

The number of dracaena plants available makes this a diverse and large group, distinguished from each other by the range of spectacular foliage features. Here are some of the more popular types of dracaena to choose from: Corn Plant- This dracaena is often just called corn plant and is the type that was used in the NASA studies. There are several cultivars in this group. The name comes from the leaves that resemble those of corn – long, arching, and sometimes with a yellow stripe. Lucky Bamboo- Most people are unaware that lucky bamboo, which isn't a bamboo plant at all, is actually a type of dracaena. It is often grown in water or soil environments and considered an important Feng Shui plant. Gold Dust- For a shorter, shrubbier dracaena, try Gold Dust. The leaves are green with yellow speckles that eventually turn white. Madagascar Dragon Tree- This stunner is also called red margined dracaena and has narrow leaves with reddish purple margins. Some cultivars, like ‘Tricolor,’ have red and cream stripes. Ribbon Plant- The ribbon plant is a small dracaena, four to five inches (10-13 cm.) tall. The leaves are lance shaped and have white margins. Deremensis- There are a few cultivars of this species of dracaena. ‘Janet Craig’ is common and has shiny, dark green leaves. ‘Lemon Lime’ is a newer cultivar with chartreuse, green, and white stripes on the leaves. ‘Warneckii’ has leathery leaves that are green with white stripes. Song of India or Jamaica- These cultivars come from the reflexa species. ‘Song of India’ has thin leaves with edges of cream or white, while ‘Song of Jamaica’ has darker green leaves with light green in the centers. There are so many different types of dracaena and they are so easy to grow that there is no excuse not to have one in each room of the house.