Dracaena

Dracaena trifasciata

Snake Plant

A rhizomatous geophyte from the dry tropics of West and Central Africa, this Dracaena stores water in thick upright leaves and a stout rhizome, so it tolerates drought and rots if kept wet. Let the mix dry out almost completely and water only when the top several inches are dry; it adapts to a range of light but holds up best in bright indirect light, and tolerates ordinary low household humidity. Plant in a gritty, fast-draining mix and avoid standing water.

Dracaena marginata

Madagascar Dragon Tree

Dracaena marginata is a slender, woody-stemmed foliage plant in the Asparagaceae family, growing as an upright cane topped with narrow strap-like leaves. It keeps modest water reserves in its stems and resents soggy roots, so let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering again. Give it a bright spot out of harsh direct sun and ordinary household humidity.

Sansevieria cylindrica

African Bowstring Hemp

Sansevieria cylindrica is a rhizomatous geophyte with stiff, cylindrical leaves that store water, so it tolerates neglect far better than excess moisture and rots if kept wet. Plant it in a gritty, fast-draining mix and water only when the soil has dried out completely all the way through the pot. It accepts a range of light from bright indirect to some direct sun, and is unbothered by ordinary household humidity.

Dracaena fragrans

Corn Plant

Dracaena fragrans is a woody shrub or small tree from tropical and sub-Saharan Africa, where it grows in the understory and benefits from filtered, bright indirect light rather than harsh direct sun. It tolerates drying between waterings, so water only when the top inch or two of mix has gone dry, letting it approach dry rather than sitting wet. It accepts ordinary household humidity and does not demand misting.

Dracaena sanderiana

Lucky Bamboo

Dracaena sanderiana is a slender subshrub from the humid forests of west-central Africa, where it grows in dappled shade rather than open sun. Give it bright indirect light and let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering, roughly every one to two weeks; it holds moisture in its canes and resents sitting wet. It tolerates ordinary household humidity but appreciates steadier moisture in the air when convenient.

Dracaena reflexa

Song Of India

A woody shrub or small tree native to Madagascar and the islands of the western Indian Ocean, where it grows in bright, dappled light rather than harsh midday sun. It holds moisture in its woody stems and resents soggy roots, so let the top two inches of mix dry before watering again. Bright indirect light and average household humidity suit it well.

Dracaena draco

Dragon Tree

The dragon tree is a slow-growing tree from the dry, rocky slopes of the Canary Islands, where it endures heat, bright light, and long gaps between rains. It stores water in its trunk and resents soggy roots, so plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and let the top several centimeters of soil dry fully before watering. It tolerates ordinary household air and is comfortable in a bright spot out of harsh midday sun.

Dracaena surculosa

Gold Dust Dracaena

Dracaena surculosa is a small understory shrub from the humid tropical forests of West and Central Africa, where it grows in dappled shade beneath the canopy. Give it bright indirect light and warmth, and let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering again, as it dislikes sitting wet. It tolerates ordinary household humidity but appreciates more when the air is dry.

Dracaena angustifolia

Suji

Dracaena angustifolia is a shrubby species native to the warm forests and margins of tropical Asia and the western Pacific, where it grows in dappled understory light rather than full sun. Give it bright indirect light and let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering, hedging toward the drier side, as Dracaena stems and roots rot when kept consistently wet. Average household humidity suits it.

Sansevieria hyacinthoides

Iguanatail

Sansevieria hyacinthoides is a rhizomatous geophyte that stores water in thick leaves and a fleshy rhizome, so it tolerates drought far better than standing wet. Let the mix dry out almost completely and water only when the top several inches feel dry, then water deeply in a gritty, fast-draining medium. It accepts a range of light but holds up best in bright indirect light, and an overwatered rhizome rots readily.

Dracaena cochinchinensis

Dragon's Blood Tree

Dracaena cochinchinensis is a woody shrub or tree in the Asparagaceae family, a habit that points to a slow-growing plant tolerant of dry spells and prone to rot if kept soggy. Give it bright indirect light and a free-draining mix, and water only when the top inch or two of soil has dried out. Let it lean toward the dry side rather than staying wet.