Dracaena reflexa
Low-maintenance tropical houseplant with glossy variegated foliage that tolerates low light and drought, grows into a tall multi-stem tree-like form, and purifies indoor air.
Common Names
Song Of India, Song Of Jamaica, Pleomele, Reflexed Dracaena, Dragon Tree
Summary
Song of India, also known as Song of Jamaica, is a tropical evergreen shrub or small tree native to Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, and nearby Indian Ocean islands. It features dark green leaves edged in yellow or cream arranged in tight whorls on upright stems, with a slow growth rate and a multi-trunk or single-trunk habit; indoors it typically reaches 3–6 ft tall and 1–3 ft wide, with leaves 5–20 cm long and 1.5–5 cm wide; small white fragrant flowers may occur, though indoors blooming is rare.
Cultivation favors bright indirect light, loose well-draining soil, and warm temperatures around 65–75°F with relatively high humidity; water when the topsoil dries, using room-temperature water and avoiding fluoride in tap water; fertilize every two weeks in spring and summer; repot every few years and prune to maintain a bushy shape; propagate by stem cuttings; common pests include mealybugs and spider mites, with leaf spot possible from poor air circulation; NASA Clean Air Study lists it as an air purifier removing formaldehyde; uses include ornamental houseplant, specimen, border, accent, or hedge, and it is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
13-20 feet
Spread
6-8 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 10-11
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial sun to partial shade; full sun also possible
Soil Type
Well-draining loamy soil or a light, aerated potting mix; common formulations include 1 part peat moss, 1 part houseplant soil, 1 part perlite, or potting soil with perlite or coarse sand in a 2:1 ratio, with pH around 6–7.
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
6.0-8.0
Bloom Color
White
Bloom Time
Winter
Foliage Color
Bright chartreuse to dark green, foliage with yellow/cream borders or variegation, and yellow-striped leaves.
Fall Foliage Color
No fall color change
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Slow
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Air layering, Division
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Lam.
- Publication
- Encycl. 2: 324 (1786)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Dracaena
Inferior Taxa
Dracaena reflexa var. bakeri Dracaena reflexa var. salicifolia Dracaena reflexa var. subcapitata Dracaena reflexa var. linearifolia Dracaena reflexa var. reflexa Dracaena reflexa var. lanceolata Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia
Synonyms
Lomatophyllum reflexum Pleomele reflexa Cordyline reflexa Dracaena reflexa var. cernua Draco reflexa Dracaena reflexa var. brevifolia