Song of India
Dracaena reflexa
Also listed as Pleomele reflexa, Cordyline reflexa
Climate Match for your location
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A compact, tropical shrub with narrow, lance-shaped green and yellow variegated leaves that create an airy, elegant appearance. It is popular as a houseplant and works well in containers or as an indoor accent plant.
Why grow it
Dracaena reflexa offers compact, upright growth suitable for interior spaces where larger tropical shrubs would be impractical. The variegated foliage provides visual interest with minimal maintenance compared to high-light variegated plants, as it tolerates moderate indirect light well. It grows slower than many houseplant alternatives, making it less demanding for frequent pruning or repotting.
Watch out for
Indoor specimens can develop spider mites in dry conditions, particularly during heating season, so occasional misting or humidity monitoring helps prevent infestations. Growth may become leggy or sparse if light levels drop consistently below moderate indirect conditions, requiring strategic pruning to maintain shape.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asparagaceae
Native Range
Madagascar
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A compact, tropical shrub with narrow, lance-shaped green and yellow variegated leaves that create an airy, elegant appearance. It is popular as a houseplant and works well in containers or as an indoor accent plant.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Song of India grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Dracaena reflexa offers compact, upright growth suitable for interior spaces where larger tropical shrubs would be impractical. The variegated foliage provides visual interest with minimal maintenance compared to high-light variegated plants, as it tolerates moderate indirect light well. It grows slower than many houseplant alternatives, making it less demanding for frequent pruning or repotting.
Watch out for
Indoor specimens can develop spider mites in dry conditions, particularly during heating season, so occasional misting or humidity monitoring helps prevent infestations. Growth may become leggy or sparse if light levels drop consistently below moderate indirect conditions, requiring strategic pruning to maintain shape.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asparagaceae
Native Range
Madagascar
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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