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Dracaena Family - Agavaceae
There are many different varieties of the drcaena that are commonly used as
house plants. Currently I have
five of them in my home:
Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' - picture on the left. it is also known as "corn
plant";
Dracaena surculosa 'Florida Beauty'; Dracaena marginata
,
Dracaena deremensis and
Dracaena sanderiana.
These plants create very nice display when their foliage looks neat and healthy.
My Dracaena surculosa (image below) flowers every year - the plant is very bushy
and at some point it gives long thin shot with insignificant whitish flowers. At
first I didn't even notice the flowers and discover them only because of their
strong fragrance (I thought somebody spilled something on the carpet).
Dracaenas are pretty much forgiving plants. The best care for them - keep their
soil evenly moist, not too wet, not soggy and never let the root ball dry out.
If over- or underwatered - the leaves might drop or become yellow, but any time
you can cut back any part of the plant - new fresh growth will appear in no
time.
The bright light without strong direct sun is preferrable, but if there isn't
such place in your house - don't worry, dracaena will survive virtually any
lighting conditions. Although if you have plant with colored leaves (like
Dracaena surculosa ) - be prepared - the leaves might turn green if there is not
enough light.
Easiest way to propagate dracaenas - from cuttings. They root successfully in a
glass with water, plant rooted cutting in the tropical mix soil and keep the
soil moist all the time. Don't overpot them - small dracaena in a huge pot won't
feel comfortable, they like to be somewhat potbound, but also re-pot it if the
roots are sticking out of the pot.
Dracaenas do like some humidity in the air and will appreciate if you will mist
them with room-temperatured water or give them shower from time to time.
More dracaena pictures |
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