Dracaena plants are a popular choice for indoor decoration due to their ability to thrive in low-light conditions and withstand drought and low humidity. These tropical plants from Asia, Africa, and Australia come in various shapes and sizes, making them perfect for adding height and visual interest to any interior design. However, it’s important to note that dracaenas are toxic to cats and dogs because they contain saponins.
1. Janet Craig (Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’)
The Janet Craig dracaena is a tall and bushy plant with long, glossy, green leaves that taper on straight woody stems. It adapts well to both shade and bright light, making it an excellent choice for a houseplant. This slow-growing African cultivar can reach up to 10 feet tall and may produce clusters of fragrant white flowers.
2. Janet Craig Compact (Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’ Compacta)
The Janet Craig Compacta is a smaller version of the Janet Craig dracaena. It has dark green, glossy lance-shaped leaves that grow in a rosette pattern around the cane, resembling a pineapple. This easy-care dwarf dracaena can tolerate low light and drought, making it suitable for busy plant owners.
3. Cornstalk Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’)
Also known as the mass cane plant or corn plant, the cornstalk dracaena features large, arching leaves with yellow stripes, resembling a cornstalk. This dracaena can grow up to 6 feet tall indoors and rarely blooms when grown indoors.
4. Limelight Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Limelight’)
Limelight dracaena gets its name from its bright chartreuse sword-shaped leaves that mature into a bold lime color. This bushy plant can reach a height of 4 to 7 feet and thrives in low or indirect light. Pairing it with plants of darker green, red, or purple foliage creates a striking contrast.
5. Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
The red-edged dracaena, also known as the Madagascar dragon tree, can be easily identified by its red-margined leaves. Its thin, tapered leaves grow on skinny canes, creating eye-catching shapes. This dracaena prefers bright, indirect light but can survive in low light and with little water.
6. Tricolor Dracaena (Dracaena marginata ‘Tricolor’)
The tricolor dracaena, also known as the rainbow plant, is a lighter version of the red-edged dracaena. It features thin, straplike leaves with a center band of green surrounded by a narrow band of gold and edged with a stripe of red. This dracaena shares the same shape, size, and care requirements as the red-edged dracaena.
7. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a succulent dracaena with tall, stiff, straight, broad leaves that grow from the soil. It is loved for its air-filtering properties and can tolerate a wide range of light and temperatures. This low-maintenance plant is an excellent choice for beginners.
8. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky bamboo, though not related to true bamboo, resembles it in appearance with its ribbed green canes and straplike leaves. Often trained into curled and twisted forms, this plant is believed to bring good luck. It can be grown in soil or hydroponically and tolerates shade or indirect light.
9. Ribbon Plant (Dracaena sanderiana ‘Variegata’)
The ribbon plant is a shorter version of lucky bamboo and can be distinguished by the creamy-white margins on its leaves. It is often used in terrariums and can tolerate short periods of submersion, making it suitable for aquariums.
10. Warneckei Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckei’)
Warneckei dracaena is a tall and resilient plant with creamy-white stripes on its long, sword-shaped green leaves. It can grow up to 4 to 5 feet tall indoors and is known for its air-purifying abilities. This dracaena is easy to care for and can survive neglect.
11. Lemon Lime Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Lemon Lime’)
The lemon lime dracaena is similar to the Warneckei dracaena but has yellow and chartreuse stripes on its sword-shaped leaves. It can reach a height of 5 to 6 feet and requires minimal care. This dracaena can tolerate partial sun and prefers moist soil.
12. Song of India Dracaena (Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of India’)
Song of India dracaena features yellow-gold and green sword-shaped leaves that grow on upright canes. It is often sold with multiple stems in a pot, creating a bushy effect. Under optimal conditions, this dracaena may produce aromatic white flower clusters followed by orange-red berries.
13. Florida Beauty Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena surculosa ‘Florida Beauty’)
Florida Beauty is a smaller and bushier dracaena variety, reaching a height of around 2 feet. It has rounded leaves with splashes of creamy yellow, resembling gold dust. This multistemmed dracaena adds a touch of elegance to any space.
14. White Jewel Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘White Jewel’)
The White Jewel dracaena has dark green, glossy leaves with a white border, creating a dramatic display of color. It thrives in bright, indirect light and can be kept outside during the summer in filtered sunlight. With proper care, this plant is easy to maintain.
15. Tornado Twist Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans ‘Tornado Twist’)
This slow-growing dracaena captivates with its twisted leaves. The dark green leaves are edged with lime, providing a unique visual appeal. Tornado Twist dracaena is known for being almost unkillable and can tolerate a wide range of conditions.
16. Lemon Surprise Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Lemon Surprise’)
Lemon Surprise features whorls of lemon yellow and lime green leaves. This bushy plant grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and prefers bright, indirect light. With moderate watering, humidity, and temperature, this dracaena will thrive.
17. Milky Way Dracaena (Dracaena surculosa ‘Milky Way’)
Milky Way stands out with its unique spots and stripes. Its broad, elliptical leaves have wide white bands down the center and white speckles on the green edges. This dracaena prefers bright, filtered light and high humidity.
18. Gold Dracaena (Dracaena sanderiana ‘Gold’)
The gold dracaena has slightly twisted, dark green, straplike leaves highlighted by lemon-lime edges. This low-maintenance plant is drought-tolerant and can tolerate low light and moderate indoor temperatures. It prefers high humidity.
19. Kiwi Dracaena (Dracaena marginata ‘Kiwi’)
Kiwi dracaena features long, thin, spiky leaves with an ivory center and dark green edges. It reaches a height of 3 to 6 feet and prefers bright, indirect light. This variety requires more sunlight than other dracaena varieties to maintain its vibrant variegation.
20. Zebra Striped Dragon Tree (Dracaena goldieana)
The Zebra Striped Dragon Tree, or Green Zebra Plant, showcases stripes that run across its ovate leaves. Light green variegation on deep green leaves creates a marbling effect similar to the stripes of a zebra. This dracaena can grow 4 to 10 feet tall and tolerates medium light, watering, and humidity.
These 20 dracaena varieties offer a wide range of options for indoor décor. From tall and elegant plants to compact and bushy ones, there is a dracaena perfect for every space. Incorporating these striking plants into your interior design will not only add visual appeal but also improve the air quality in your home.