Dracaena reflexa var. reflexa
Previously known as:
- Dracaena cernua
- Pleomele porteana
- Pleomele reflexa
- Phonetic Spelling
- dra-SEE-nah re-FLEX-ah variety re-FLEX-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Dracaena reflexa var. reflexa is a variety of shrub or tree native to Northeast Mozambique to Madagascar and thrives in warm tropical climates. It is a member of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). This plant has a narrow trunk and forms rosettes of sword-like, glossy, dark green leaves. It is winter hardy in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 11 to 12. In the United States, It may be used as an ornamental houseplant.
This dracaena prefers bright, indirect sunlight and moist, well-drained potting mix. The addition of perlite or sand will encourage adequate soil drainage. Keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering. Use room temperature filtered water when watering this plant. This plant does not tolerate fluoride and chlorine found in tap water. It prefers a room temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity. If needed use a humidifier or place the plant on a bed of wet pebbles. It is best to avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes. In the spring and summer months, fertilize the plant monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer. It can be propagated by stem cuttings.
Indoors this plant can grow 3 to 6 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide. When grown in its native habitat, it can reach 12 to 18 feet tall and 3 to 8 feet wide. It grows upright with a bushy habit and may have a single trunk or may be branched. The bark is smooth and grayish, but as the plant matures the bark becomes more textured. The leaves are spirally arranged, sword-shaped, reflexed, and green. As a houseplant, it rarely flowers. It flowering occurs, they are small, white, and fragrant and produce a berry-like fruit.
The Dracaena reflexa var. reflexa is a best used as a houseplant for the home or office.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor of spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and thrips. Overwatering can cause root rot, and leaf spot can occur if the leaves get wet during watering or from poor air circulation. Yellow leaves result from overwatering or underwatering. Leaf scorch or faded leaves can occur from direct sunlight.
This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Keep out of reach of pets.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Song of India'
Creamy foliage with a central green stripe. - 'Song of Jamaica'
Green leaves with fine, lime-green longitudinal variegation.
- 'Song of India'
- 'Song of India', 'Song of Jamaica'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Song of India'
Creamy foliage with a central green stripe. - 'Song of Jamaica'
Green leaves with fine, lime-green longitudinal variegation.
- 'Song of India'
- 'Song of India', 'Song of Jamaica'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dracaena
- Species:
- reflexa var. reflexa
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northeast Mozambique to the West Indian Ocean
- Distribution:
- Native: Aldabra, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, and Réunion. Introduced: Belize and Central African Republic
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 18 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Tree
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- If fruits are produced, they are berry-like. Fruits are rarely seen on houseplants.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Small, fragrant, white flowers are rarely produced when grown as a houseplant.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are spirally arranged, sword-shaped, glossy, and green with entire margins.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- The bark is grayish and smooth. As the plant matures, the bark becomes more textured.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- If ingested by pets, symptoms include weakness, drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach irritation, diarrhea, depression, increases salivation, and ataxia. Cats may have dilated pupils. Some types of dracaena can be toxic to humans also. If ingested, mouth and throat irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Skin irritation can occur when handling some species of this plant.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- saponin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
