Popular Types of Dracaenas Used Indoors and Outdoors

The dracaena plant is a popular ornamental houseplant, grown both indoors and outdoors in subtropical climates. The name dracaena is derived from a Romanized version of the ancient Greek word, drakaina, which means female dragon. In its native habitat, this plant can grow up to 20 feet tall. However, in your home, it can reach approximately 6 feet, unless pruned to be shorter. An interesting fact about dracaena is that it possesses a secondary thickening meristem (the tissue which helps plants grow), which allows it to grow wide, thick, and succulent roots.

Here is a list of a few Dracaenas grown both indoors and outdoors –

• Dracaena Reflexa – commonly known as song of India or pleomele, is the most common of the dracaena species. Its leaves are its main attraction making it visually striking. This adaptable house plant thrives well in an indoor garden or a partially-shady outdoor area, like a patio.
• Dracaena Marginata – commonly known as red-edge dracaena or Madagascar dragon tree, can grow eight to fifteen feet high and three to eight feet wide with proper care. Since it cannot tolerate low light but is not frost hardy, it is often grown indoors.  They are drought tolerant and hence an excellent houseplant.
• Dracaena Massangeana – commonly known as mass cane or corn plant, is a popular indoor plant. It is the least expensive of the dracaena varieties. Although moderate natural lighting is ideal, it is tolerant of low light conditions. Dracaena massangeana grows slowly, so it can fit in a particular space for a long time without requiring much maintenance.
• Dracaena Arborea – commonly known as dragon tree or tree dracaena, is best suited for outdoors. Dracaena Arborea can do well in settings ranging from shade to bright direct sunlight. Although they are quite drought tolerant, you’ll get better results with regular watering and good quality of well-draining soil.
• Dracaena Draco – commonly known as dragon tree, is a succulent tree usually kept as a houseplant, but if you live in a tropical or subtropical area, plant it outdoors, and it will grow to be an impressively wide, thick, branched tree up to 25′ feet tall. In the summertime, the tree produces small, greenish-white flowers which transition into orange berries.