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Dracaena (plant)

Genus of flowering plants From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dracaena (plant)
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For other uses, see Dracaena (disambiguation).

Dracaena is a genus of about 200–220 species of trees and succulent shrubs.[2] The formerly accepted genera Pleomele and Sansevieria are now included in Dracaena.[2][4] In the APG IV classification system, it is placed in the family Asparagaceae,[5] subfamily Convallarioideae (formerly the family Ruscaceae).[6][7] It has also formerly been separated (sometimes with Cordyline) into the family Dracaenaceae or kept in the Agavaceae (now Agavoideae).

Quick facts Dracaena Temporal range: Oligocene-Recent, Scientific classification ...

The name dracaena is derived from the Latinised form of the Ancient Greek δράκαινα – drakaina, "female dragon".[8]

The Plants of the World Online database accepts 214 species as of September 2025.[2] The majority of the species are native to Africa (including the Canary Islands and Socotra), southern Asia, and northern Australia, but also seven species in Hawai'i, and two in tropical Central America.[2]

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Description

Dracaena species can have two growth types: arborescent (tree- or shrub-like) dracaenas (e.g. Dracaena cinnabari, Dracaena draco, Dracaena fragrans), which have stout above-ground stems to around 20 metres tall that branch from nodes after flowering, or if the growth tip is severed; and rhizomatous dracaenas (e.g. Dracaena trifasciata, Dracaena angolensis), which have underground rhizomes and leaves on the surface, ranging from straplike to cylindrical.[4][9]

The arborescent species of Dracaena have a secondary thickening meristem in their trunks,[10][11] termed Dracaenoid thickening by some authors,[12] which is quite different from the thickening meristem found in dicotyledonous plants. This characteristic is shared with some members of the Agavoideae, Lomandroideae, and Xanthorrhoeoideae among other members of the Asparagales.[10]

Many species of Dracaena are kept as houseplants due to tolerance of low light and sparse watering.[13]

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Selected species

Main article: List of Dracaena species

[clarification needed]

Formerly regarded as Dracaena

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Uses

Ornamental

Some shrubby species, such as D. fragrans, D. surculosa, D. marginata, and D. sanderiana, are popular as houseplants. Many of these are toxic to pets, though not humans, according to the ASPCA among others. Rooted stem cuttings of D. sanderiana are sold as "lucky bamboo", although only superficially resembling true bamboos.

Dracaena houseplants like humidity and moderate watering. They can tolerate periods of drought but the tips of the leaves may turn brown.[18] Leaves at the base will naturally yellow and drop off, leaving growth at the top and a bare stem.[18] Dracaena are vulnerable to mealybugs and scale insects.[18]

Other

A naturally occurring bright red resin, dragon's blood, is collected from D. draco and, in ancient times, from D. cinnabari. Modern dragon's blood is, however, more likely to be from the unrelated Calamus rattan palms, formerly placed in Daemonorops.[a] It also has social functions in marking graves, sacred sites, and farm plots in many African societies.[20]

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References

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