Dracaena
Dracaenas are a popular houseplant that come in several varieties, all which are prized for their foliage and easy
care nature. Native to Africa and parts of Asia and Central America, Dracaenas are a must add to any houseplant collection.
They prefer bright indirect light and warm temps (75-85 during the day and 60-70 at night). Their soil should be kept moist
at all times.
Care and Propagation
Dracaenas can be easily propagated by either stem cuttings or air layering. To stimulate new growth cut back to within 4-6 inches
of pot rim. This techinique is especially helpful for older plants. Dracaenas are not particularly disease prone but are a favorite
plant of spider mites. To prevent keep humidity levels up, especially during periods of hot, dry weather or during the winter when
homes are centrally heated. This can easily be accomplished by using humidity trays. All varieties of Dracaenas are toxic to pets,
so be sure to keep them out of reach. Some of the more popular varieties are: Dracaena sanderiana: Known as "Lucky Bamboo,"
Dracaena decremensis: Known as "Janet Craig," Dracaena fragrans: Known as "Corn Plant."
Let's take a brief look at how to take care for several different
types of Dracaenas, click the images to open and close the care tips:
Janet Craig
JANET CRAIG
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: Medium humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the East/West
Soil Type: A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take: 1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer. For older plants it is recommended that you increase their fertilizing to weekly during the spring and summer.
Plant Pests: Prone to spider mites, mealy bugs, scale and thrips. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Propagation: Stem cuttings and air-layering in the spring through summer. It is best to propagate any type of cuttings in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while. To air-layer a plant, take a sharp knife and cut half way through the stem about a foot down from the top. Put a toothpick in the wound sideways, wrap wet sphagnum moss and a plastic bag around the wound secured by either rubber bands or tape. When roots form, cut off below the roots and plant.
Gardening Tips & Care: Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and remove all dead leaves. Leaf tips will go brown if the plant is under watered but this browning may be carefully trimmed.
Toxicity: Species of this Genus can be harmful to pets.
Air Purifier: A good remover of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere.
Warneckii
WARNECKII
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: Medium humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the East/West
Soil Type: A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take: 1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer. For older plants it is recommended that you increase their fertilizing to weekly during the spring and summer.
Plant Pests: Prone to spider mites, mealy bugs, scale and thrips. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Propagation: Stem cuttings and air-layering in the spring through summer. It is best to propagate any type of cuttings in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while. To air-layer a plant, take a sharp knife and cut half way through the stem about a foot down from the top. Put a toothpick in the wound sideways, wrap wet sphagnum moss and a plastic bag around the wound secured by either rubber bands or tape. When roots form, cut off below the roots and plant.
Gardening Tips & Care: Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and remove all dead leaves. Leaf tips will go brown if the plant is under watered but this browning may be carefully trimmed.
Toxicity: Species of this Genus can be harmful to pets.
Air Purifier: A good remover of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere.
Corn Plant
CORN PLANT
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: Medium humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the East/West
Soil Type: A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take: 1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer. For older plants it is recommended that you increase their fertilizing to weekly during the spring and summer.
Plant Pests: Prone to spider mites, mealy bugs, scale and thrips. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Propagation: Stem cuttings and air-layering in the spring through summer. It is best to propagate any type of cuttings in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while. To air-layer a plant, take a sharp knife and cut half way through the stem about a foot down from the top. Put a toothpick in the wound sideways, wrap wet sphagnum moss and a plastic bag around the wound secured by either rubber bands or tape. When roots form, cut off below the roots and plant.
Gardening Tips & Care: Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and remove all dead leaves. Leaf tips will go brown if the plant is under watered but this browning may be carefully trimmed.
Toxicity: Species of this Genus can be harmful to pets.
Air Purifier: A good remover of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere.
Lucky Bamboo
LUCKY BAMBOO
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: Medium humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the East/West
Soil Type: A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take: 1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer. For older plants it is recommended that you increase their fertilizing to weekly.
Plant Pests: Prone to spider mites, mealy bugs, scale and thrips. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Propagation: Stem cuttings and air-layering in the spring through summer. It is best to propagate any type of cuttings in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while. To air-layer a plant, take a sharp knife and cut half way through the stem about a foot down from the top. Put a toothpick in the wound sideways, wrap wet sphagnum moss and a plastic bag around the wound secured by either rubber bands or tape. When roots form, cut off below the roots and plant.
Gardening Tips & Care: Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and remove all dead leaves. Leaf tips will go brown if the plant is under watered but this browning may be carefully trimmed. The plants sold as ""Lucky Bamboo"" are usually growing in water and will be successful for atime, but may eventually need to be repotted in soil.
Toxicity: Species of this Genus can be harmful to pets.
Air Purifier: A good remover of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere.
