Dracaena Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Dracaena:
Previously known as:
- Cordyline marginata
- Dracaena marginata
- Pleomele marginata
- Phonetic Spelling
- dra-SEE-nah re-FLEX-ah var. an-gus-ti-FOH-lee-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Dracaena is a drought-tolerant, slow-growing perennial shrub native to Madagascar and nearby islands in the Indian Ocean. It is a member of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). The species epithet refers to the reflexed posture of older leaves. The varietal epithet calls attention to the narrow leaves.
Plant in a well-draining potting mix and allow the plants to dry between waterings but not severely. Bright, indirect light is ideal. They have a low fertilizer requirement, so fertilize in spring, summer, and fall with a controlled-release formula. This species is sensitive to fluoride (like most other Dracaenas) which causes discoloration of leaves so use distilled or non-fluorinated water.
In their native habitat or as landscape plants in the tropics, they can reach 20 feet; as houseplants, they grow to 6 feet but can be pruned to a smaller size. Pruned stems will usually grow 2 or more branches. The stems can be trained into different shapes (e.g. braided or spiraled). They rarely bloom in the home.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Mites, thrips, and chewing insects can be a problem. Susceptible to leaf spot diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- ‘Bicolor'
grayish-green leaves with pink or red edges - 'Colorama'
variegated pink leaves with white and green stripes, 5 to 6 feet tall - 'Magenta'
green leaves with magenta red margins, palm-tree like - 'Tarzan'
green, spikey, tough, wide, and thick leaves - 'Tricolor'
variegated green leaves with white, and pink edges
- ‘Bicolor'
- ‘Bicolor', 'Colorama', 'Magenta', 'Tarzan', 'Tricolor'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- ‘Bicolor'
grayish-green leaves with pink or red edges - 'Colorama'
variegated pink leaves with white and green stripes, 5 to 6 feet tall - 'Magenta'
green leaves with magenta red margins, palm-tree like - 'Tarzan'
green, spikey, tough, wide, and thick leaves - 'Tricolor'
variegated green leaves with white, and pink edges
- ‘Bicolor'
- ‘Bicolor', 'Colorama', 'Magenta', 'Tarzan', 'Tricolor'
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dracaena
- Species:
- marginata
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Madagascar, Mauritius
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round yellow-orange berries. Flowers and berries rarely appear on house plants.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Small fragrant white blooms in spring. Rarely blooms as a house plant
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Pink
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 2 ft. long and 1/2 inch wide glossy sword-shaped green leaves with reddish edges. Cultivars can add pink, white or yellow stripes to the leaves. Lower leaves fall off with age.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Tan stems with distinct diamond-shaped leaf scars
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Toxic to humans, cats, and dogs. In cats: dilated pupils, abdominal pain, increased heart rate and drooling. In both cats and dogs: vomiting, depression, inappetence, drooling, incoordination, weakness, and anorexia. In humans: mouth and stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Skin irritation from the sap can occur.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Saponins
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Stems
