Gold Dust Dracaena Dracaena surculosa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Dracaena godsefiana
- Phonetic Spelling
- dra-SEE-nah sur-ku-LO-sa
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Gold dust dracena is a slow-growing evergreen typically grown as a house plant in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family. It is native to western tropical Africa and is known for its stunning variegated foliage and tropical look. The genus name Dracaena comes from the Greek word for dragon, and the species name surculosa is Latin for shooting
Thin upright branches, which occasionally hang down, produce leaves that are dark green with spots of cream or yellow. New leaves appear as tightly rolled cones. It may be propagated using a tip or stem cutting of a few leaves or by division.
This easy to grow houseplant requires bright but not direct light. The leaves will brown or drop if the light is too high and they can lose their intense coloring if the light is too low. Keep the soil moist during the regular growing season but overwatering and standing water will cause root rot. Protect the plant from drafts and keep the humidity high humidity with misting or sitting on a pebble tray with water. Cut back overgrown stems in the winter to rejuvenate growth and to keep the plant at the desired height. Do not plant in a pot that is too large as its roots like to be snug.
In areas that remain above 50 degrees F in the winter gold dust dracena can be grown outdoors in a container, planted on a patio. The spots of yellow add brightness and interest to any interiorscape.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Root mealybugs can stunt growth.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Florida Beauty'
Densely spotted leaves - 'Kellery'
Thicker leaves
- 'Florida Beauty'
- 'Florida Beauty', 'Kellery'
- Tags:











- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Florida Beauty'
Densely spotted leaves - 'Kellery'
Thicker leaves
- 'Florida Beauty'
- 'Florida Beauty', 'Kellery'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dracaena
- Species:
- surculosa
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- West Tropical Africa
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round orange-red berries about 1/2" diameter. Fruits are rare when grown as a house plant.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 2.5-3-inch umble inflorescence with greenish-white tubular flowers, pleasantly fragrant during the night. Flowers have 6 petals that bend backwards, 6 showy anthers and a style that stick out like fireworks from the center of the flowers. Flowers are rare when grown as a house plant.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3-inch opposite or whorled leaves are glossy dark green with spots of creamy yellow. New leaves appear as tightly rolled cones
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Wiry upright thin brown stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs