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fragrant dracaena (Dracaena fragrans)

Dracaena fragrans is an evergreen perennial with an upright shrub-to-tree habit, often forming multiple stems from the base in natural conditions and commonly developing a columnar tree form indoors.

LightSources differ in their descriptions of light needs, but bright to medium filtered light indoors is suitable, hot direct sunlight should be avoided, and the plant can tolerate lower light; the coloration of variegated fo
WaterKeep the growing medium moist without waterlogging during the growing season, reduce watering in winter, and allow the surface of the medium to dry slightly before watering again.
TemperatureSources are few or differ, with a reported minimum of about 15 °C and maximum of about 24 °C. Hardiness-zone information differs among sources. It is reported to tolerate brief light frost.
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fragrant dracaena illustration

Overview

Dracaena fragrans is an evergreen perennial with an upright shrub-to-tree habit, often forming multiple stems from the base in natural conditions and commonly developing a columnar tree form indoors.

Origin and habitat

Dracaena fragrans is native to tropical Africa, but sources differ on the more specific extent of its native range. It is reported to grow in tropical African highlands in its native habitat. It is associated with tropical, frost-free conditions and is also widely grown as an indoor plant.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature height, placing it at about 150–300 cm, while a single source reports a mature spread of about 10–50 cm. Growth is slow, and the glossy leaves are narrowly lance-shaped to lance-shaped, with larger older leaves often arching downward; 'Massangeana' has a conspicuous yellow to yellow-green longitudinal stripe through the center of its green leaves. Mature plants can produce large inflorescences with white to greenish-white, strongly fragrant flowers, although flowering indoors is rare and flowering timing is reported from only a single source. The fruit consists of orange-red to red berries containing several seeds.

Light

Sources differ in their descriptions of light needs, but bright to medium filtered light indoors is suitable, hot direct sunlight should be avoided, and the plant can tolerate lower light; the coloration of variegated forms changes with light conditions.

Watering

Keep the growing medium moist without waterlogging during the growing season, reduce watering in winter, and allow the surface of the medium to dry slightly before watering again.

Temperature and dormancy

Sources are few or differ, with a reported minimum of about 15 °C and maximum of about 24 °C. Hardiness-zone information differs among sources. It is reported to tolerate brief light frost.

Growing medium and mounting

For container culture, use a well-drained growing medium; a loam-based peat-free medium is also described as suitable, with loamy or sandy texture and acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions.

Feeding

A single source recommends applying a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season.

Propagation

Propagation can be by stem sections or stem cuttings, air layering, sowing seed in spring, or using semi-ripe cuttings and leafless stem sections in summer.

Common problems

Potential pests include scale insects, mealybugs, thrips, and glasshouse red spider mite. Disease problems are generally reported to be uncommon. A single source reports that strong direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and that very low light can cause narrower leaves. The plant prefers frost-free conditions and should be protected from low temperatures indoors; sources report that mature outdoor plants can briefly withstand light frost, while young plants need protection.

Identification

'Massangeana' is distinguished by long green leaves with a central yellow to yellow-green longitudinal stripe; the leaves cluster at the tops of woody stems, giving the plant a large, columnar indoor tree form.

Photos

Dracaena fragrans
📷 Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Dracaena fragrans
📷 no rights reserved, uploaded by maryury · CC0 · source

Sources