Gardening Houseplants Types of Houseplants

25 Types of Dracaena Plants

A Selection of Houseplants and Tropical Trees for Outdoors

By
Nadia Hassani
Nadia Hassani
Nadia Hassani

Nadia Hassani is a a Penn State Master Gardener with nearly 20 years of experience in landscaping, garden design, and vegetable and fruit gardening.

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and
Peg Aloi
Peg Aloi
Peg Aloi

Peg Aloi is a gardening expert and former garden designer with 13 years experience working as a professional gardener in the Boston and upstate New York areas. She received her certificate in horticulture from the Berkshire Botanical Garden in 2018. 

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Updated on 04/13/24
Reviewed by
Kathleen Miller
Kathleen Miller
Reviewed by Kathleen Miller
Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and horticulturist with over 30 years of experience in organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens, a working sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column.
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Dracaena fragrans

Yurii Kushniruk / Getty Images

Dracaena is a popular genus of plants that are commonly grown as houseplants. There are more than 170 species of dracaena, including some that are too big to be grown indoors. Regardless of their size, all dracaena plants have common spear- or grass-shaped leaves that grow from one or more thick, fleshy, cane-like main stems. Dracaena are appreciated for their foliage, which is often variegated. Some types of dracaena are tough to find while others are easier to purchase.

Learn more about these 25 types of dracaena.

Dracaena Care

One of the reasons dracaena are so popular as houseplants—and what all varieties have in common—is that they’re low maintenance and easy to care for—ideal for anyone new to plant care. Most varieties do best in bright, indirect sunlight that mimics the conditions in native habitats where dracaena are often understory plants, though they can survive in low-light conditions. Bright, indirect light is especially important to keep variegated foliage looking its best, but too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves. An added benefit—dracaena can be easy enough to propagate using a few methods.

Warning

All dracaena plants are toxic to dogs and cats.

  • 01 of 25

    Dragon Tree ‘Colorama’

    Dracaena marginata ‘Colorama’

    skymoon13 / Getty Images

    Dragon tree ‘Colorama’ (Dracaena marginata ‘Colorama’) has variegated pink foliage with white and green stripes. It needs very bright yet indirect light to keep its unique colors.

    • Name: Dragon tree ‘Colorama’ (Dracaena marginata ‘Colorama’)
    • Height: 5-6 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Pink with white and green stripes
  • 02 of 25

    Dragon Tree ‘Magenta’

    Dracaena marginata ‘Magenta’

    Meredith Heil / Getty Images

    The outstanding feature of dragon tree ‘Magenta’ (Dracaena marginata ‘Magenta’), a palm-tree look-alike, is the green leaves with magenta-red edges. In its native habitat, it grows 15 to 20 feet tall but as a houseplant, this tough and easy-to-care-for houseplant can be pruned to a manageable height of 6 feet or less.

    • Name: Dragon tree ‘Magenta’ (Dracaena marginata ‘Magenta’)
    • Height: 6 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green, red edges
  • 03 of 25

    Dragon Tree ‘Tarzan’

    Dracaena 'Tarzan'

    @drips_botanical_elements / Instagram

    Spikey leaves distinguish the dragon tree ‘Tarzan’ (Dracaena marginata ‘Tarzan’) cultivar from other dragon trees. Its leaves are tougher, wider, and slightly thicker than other dragon trees.

    • Name: Dragon tree ‘Tarzan’ (Dracaena marginata ‘Tarzan’)
    • Height: 6 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green
  • 04 of 25

    Dragon Tree ‘Tricolor’

    Dracaena marginata ‘Tricolor’

    tc397 / Getty Images

    Dragon tree ‘Tricolor’ (Dracaena marginata ‘Tricolor’) is a variegated form of the dragon tree and it has rich colorful leaves banded with pink or white edges.

    • Name: Dragon tree ‘Tricolor’ (Dracaena marginata ‘Tricolor’)
    • Height: 6 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green, white (or cream), and pink
    Continue to 5 of 25 below
  • 05 of 25

    Dracaena ‘Cintho’

    Dracaena 'Cintho'

    @terrae.pt / Instagram

    ''Cintho' (Dracaena fragrans steudneri 'Cintho') is a vibrantly colored, relatively short dracaena variety that has broad leaves with distinct emerald and lime-green stripes. Because it grows multiple stems in a single pot, it looks like a mini-tree.

    • Name: Dracaena 'Cintho' (Dracaena fragrans steudneri 'Cintho')
    • Height: 3 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Emerald, lime green

    Tip

    The botanical name Dracaena is not always used consistently, and plants are sometimes misnamed. When shopping, do an internet search of the dracaena plant you are considering to confirm that it truly is the specific variety you want.

  • 06 of 25

    Dracaena ‘Dorado’

    Dracaena 'Dorado'

    @kirstenrobi / Instagram

    ‘Dorado’ (Dracaena fragrans ‘Dorado’) is a cultivar that has dark green thick leaves with lime-green edges that curl downwards. The lavish broad foliage grows in a compact, dense manner around the stem.

    • Name: Dracaena ‘Dorado’ (Dracaena fragrans ‘Dorado’)
    • Height: 4-5 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green, lime green
  • 07 of 25

    Dracaena ‘Hawaiian Sunshine’

    Hawaiian Sunshine dracaena

    Sataporn Kumsuka / Getty Images

    For narrow indoor spaces, consider 'Hawaiian Sunshine' (Dracaena fragrans ‘Hawaiian Sunshine’), a compact variety with an upright growth habit. The attractive glossy dark green foliage has light and dark green stripes. You can move this plant outdoors during the summer, provided that you place the container in a partial shady to shady location.

    • Name: Dracaena 'Hawaiian Sunshine' (Dracaena fragrans ‘Hawaiian Sunshine’)
    • Height: 3-6
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Variegated green
  • 08 of 25

    Dracaena Janet Craig

    Dracaena fragrans ‘Compacta'

    Zloyel / Getty Images

    Another popular variety, dracaena Janet Craig (Dracaena fragrans ‘Compacta’) cultivar of the corn plant is considered a workhorse because it can survive even in low light conditions. Its shiny, solid, wide, dark green leaves have wavy margins.

    • Name: Dracaena Janet Craig (Dracaena fragrans ‘Compacta’)
    • Height: 3-6 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Dark green
    Continue to 9 of 25 below
  • 09 of 25

    Dracaena ‘Lemon Lime’

    Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’

    Oksana Lyskova / Getty Images

    A strikingly colored cultivar, 'Lemon Lime' (Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’) has sword-shaped leaves with cream-colored, greenish-yellow, and lime stripes. The leaves sit at the top of the tree-like stem.

    • Name: Dracaena 'Lemon Lime' (Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’)
    • Height: 5-10 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Cream, greenish-yellow, lime

    Tip

    Variegated dracaena cultivars are sometimes incorrectly called Dracaena deremensis. The correct name is Dracaena fragrans, and they are a part of the Deremensis group (which is different from the species).

  • 10 of 25

    Dracaena ‘Limelight’

    Dracaena Limelight

    Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

    The glossy yellow-green leaves of 'Limelight' (Dracaena fragrans ‘Limelight’), a slow-growing cultivar, gradually become a lighter lime-green as they mature.

    • Name: Dracaena 'Limelight' (Dracaena fragrans ‘Limelight’)
    • Height: 6 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Variegated green
  • 11 of 25

    Mass Cane

    Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana'

    Elizabeth Fernandez / Getty Images

    The corn plant (D. fragrans) is a dracaena species named after the resemblance of its leaves with the leaves of a cornstalk both in appearance and texture. Mass cane (Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana') is one of the most common cultivars, with woodier stem than the species. It has yellowish lime-green stripes down the center of its leaves.

    • Name: Mass cane (Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana')
    • Height: 6 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Variegated green
  • 12 of 25

    Dracaena Warnock

    Dracaena fragrans ‘Warneckii’

    lizfernandezg / Getty Images

    Dracaena warnock (Dracaena fragrans ‘Warneckii’) has a bushy, upright growth habit around a central trunk. Its gray-green leaves with crisp white or green stripes make this variety another favorite houseplant. The plant is also referred to as striped dracaena but because many other dracaena varieties also have striped foliage, the common name is misleading.

    • Name: Dracaena warnock (Dracaena fragrans ‘Warneckii’)
    • Height: 5 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green and white
    Continue to 13 of 25 below
  • 13 of 25

    Dracaena ‘White Jewel’

    Dracaena fragrans ‘White Jewel’

    Crystal Bolin Photography / Getty Images

    If you are looking for a dracaena to brighten up a spot in your home, 'White Jewel' (Dracaena fragrans ‘White Jewel') might be just the one. The glossy dark green leaves have white stripes and traces of light green stripes.

    • Name: Dracaena 'White Jewel' (Dracaena fragrans ‘White Jewel')
    • Height: 4-6 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green and white
  • 14 of 25

    Song of India

    Dracaena reflexa

    passion4nature / Getty Images

    Song of India (Dracaena reflexa) is a tropical shrub and an easy houseplant that grows multiple stems in a single container. Its leaves are edged with a band of gold.

    • Name: Song of India (Dracaena reflexa)
    • Height: 3-6 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green and gold
  • 15 of 25

    Snake Plant

    Dracaena trifasciata

    Adam Yee / Getty Images

    Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is one of the most popular houseplants for a good reason. With its stiff, sword-like leaves, this slow grower is tough and easy to care for. It has a reputation for being indestructible, making the countless types of snake plants very beginner-friendly.

    • Name: Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
    • Height: 6 in.-8 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green and white
  • 16 of 25

    Lucky Bamboo

    Dracaena sanderiana

    Elizabeth Fernandez / Getty Images

    Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana), also known as Chinese water bamboo, is a bamboo in name only. It can grow in water or a gravel-filled pot with water.

    • Name: Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
    • Height: 3-4 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green
    Continue to 17 of 25 below
  • 17 of 25

    Ribbon Dracaena

    Dracaena sanderiana

    Judgefloro, CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

    Ribbon dracaena (Dracaena sanderiana ‘Silver Ribbon’) is another variegated cultivar of lucky bamboo, this one has slightly twisted leaves with colorful stripes.

    • Name: Ribbon dracaena (Dracaena sanderiana ‘Silver Ribbon’)
    • Height: 4-5 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Variegated green
  • 18 of 25

    Dracaena ‘White Stripe’

    Dracaena sanderiana

    Serenity, CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

    The variegated leaves of 'White Stripe' (Dracaena sanderiana ‘White Stripe’), another popular cultivar of lucky bamboo, are deep green with a white creamy edge.

    • Name: 'White Stripe' (Dracaena sanderiana ‘White Stripe’)
    • Height: 3-4ft.
    • Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green and white
  • 19 of 25

    Gold Dust Dracaena

    Dracaena surculosa ‘Florida Beauty’

    Jobrestful / Getty Images

    The broad leaves of gold dust dracaena (Dracaena surculosa ‘Florida Beauty’) have distinctive bright creamy yellow spots that look like gold dust, hence the common name.

    • Name: Gold dust dracaena (Dracaena surculosa ‘Florida Beauty’)
    • Height: 2 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green and yellow
  • 20 of 25

    Dracaena ‘Milky Way’

    Dracaena Milky Way

    Mokkie, CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

    This rare dracaena, 'Milky Way' (Dracaena surculosa ‘Milky Way’), has a clumping growth habit and thin, arching stems. The broad elliptic leaves have a white long band in the center, which gave this variety its name.

    • Name: 'Milky Way' (Dracaena surculosa ‘Milky Way’)
    • Height: 1 ft.
    • Light: Bright indirect or filtered sunlight
    • Leaf Color: Green and white
    Continue to 21 of 25 below
  • 21 of 25

    Green Zebra Plant

    Dracaena goldieana

    Dracaenaworldwide / Wikimedia Commons

    Another rare dracaena, the green zebra plant (Dracaena goldieana), is native to tropical West Africa, and also known as zebra stripe dracaena. It has dark green leaves with grey banding. The plant can be grown outdoors or indoors, where it won’t get quite as tall. If planting outdoors, it will thrive in USDA hardiness zones 11-13.

    • Name: Green zebra plant (Dracaena goldieana)
    • Height: 10 ft.
    • Light: Full sun, partial shade outdoors; bright, indirect sunlight indoors
    • Leaf Color: Variegated green
  • 22 of 25

    Dracaena Tree

    Dracaena arborea

    Julija Kumpinovica / Getty Images

    The dracaena tree (Dracaena arborea) is called the slender dragon tree. And indeed, with its woody, thin, upright trunk and long, lance-shaped, dark green leaves, it can be easily mistaken for a palm tree. The tree is native to tropical West Africa. Because of its size, it is usually grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10-11.

    • Name: Dracaena tree (Dracaena arborea)
    • Height: 15 ft.
    • Light: Full sun
    • Leaf Color: Green
  • 23 of 25

    Spikes

    spike dracaena

    Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

    Spikes (Dracaena indivisa ‘Proven Accents’) is the only annual dracaena species on this list. The trademarked cultivar is a heat-tolerant, low-maintenance outdoor plant for gardens and patios for USDA hardiness zones 7-11. It is grown for its foliage—long, sword-shaped leaves, that provide contrast in a flower bed. It is also suitable for containers.

    • Name: Spikes (Dracaena indivisa ‘Proven Accents’)
    • Height: 2-3 ft.
    • Light: Full sun, partial shade
    • Leaf Color: Variegated green
  • 24 of 25

    Red Blood Dragon Tree

    Dracaena draco

    Maya Karkalicheva / Getty Images

    Because of its height, the red blood dragon tree (Dracaena draco) is an evergreen plant with sword-shaped leaves and is best for outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9-12. It can also be grown as a houseplant, in which case it will not grow as tall. The tree is native to the Canary Islands and northwest coastal Africa. The name comes from the blood-like color of the tree’s sap.

    • Name: Red blood dragon tree (Dracaena draco)
    • Height: 15 ft.
    • Light: Full sun, partial shade
    • Leaf Color: Green
    Continue to 25 of 25 below
  • 25 of 25

    Socotra Dragon Tree

    Dracaena cinnabari

    Sloot / Getty Images

    With its dense crown, the Socotra dragon tree (Dracaena cinnabari) is a striking evergreen tree that looks like a gigantic mushroom. Only the top leaves are green while the branches underneath are bare, which gives them the appearance of gills. The tree needs a warm, tropical climate, and a location with ample, unobstructed sunlight all day. It is native to the Socotra archipelago in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden. It will grow in USDA hardiness zones 10-11.

    • Name: Socotra dragon tree (Dracaena cinnabari)
    • Height: 33 ft.
    • Light: Full sun
    • Leaf Color: Green
FAQ
  • What is the most common dracena plant kept as a houseplant?

    Snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) and corn plants (Dracaena fragrans) are two of the most common dracaenas kept as houseplants. They are easy to care for and can live for a long time, possibly making them a couple of the most perfect houseplants.

  • How big do dracaena plants get?

    In their native tropical environment, which is Africa for most species, some dracaena plants can grow to 20 feet or more. As houseplants, they remain much smaller, under 8 feet in height.

  • Do dracaena ever grow flowers?

    An indoor dracaena plant rarely produces flowers, though it is not impossible. If grown outdoors in semi-tropical or tropical zones, you may see small white flowers.

  • What is the most common type of dracaena?

    In addition to the corn and snake plants grown as common houseplants, the most common type of dracaena for outdoor use is spikes (Dracaena indivisa ‘Proven Accents’) because it can be grown as an annual in a wider variety of zones, from 7-11.

  • How many varieties of dracaenas are there?

    You'll find more than 170 species of dracaena to grow either indoors or outdoors. Some are more rare than others.

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  1. Dracaena. ASPCA.