Information about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Dracaena

Dracaena species, hybrids and cultivars (excluding former Sansevieria species)

Family: Asparagaceae (formerly in Agavaceae or Dracaenaceae)

There are many species and cultivars of this genus with assorted foliage forms and variegations. They are very useful as indoor and outdoor potplants and can be used as garden plants in much of Queensland. While some of the more familiar species have a lush "rainforest" look, they're relatively drought tolerant.

The genus Sansevieria is now classified as part Dracaena, but are smaller-growing succulents that will be incorporated into garden designs in different ways, so we'll look at those on separate page: sansevieria

Dracaena in the landscape

The following images are examples of various common types of Dracaena growing in various landscape situations, to give you an idea of how you might place them in your garden.

Dracaena marginata

D. marginata was the featured plant in the 30-05-2025 edition of Get Results Gardening, a weekly publication for Australians via email. When you request a free trial (go calyx.com.au/getresultsgardening.html for more information), you can ask for a copy of the 30-05-2025 edition if you want to see the Dracaena fragrans article (Australian residents only).

Dracaena marginata, the common 'Red Edge' variety

Variegated Dracaena marginata. These could be 'Tricolor' or 'Colorama'

Dracaena marginata photographed 4 years apart

The same plant photographed 4 years apart

Dark-leaved type of Dracaena marginata

Dracaena fragrans

Now includes varieties previously classified as D. deremensis. Dracaena fragrans, commonly known as happy plant, was the featured plant in the 07-02-2025 edition of Get Results Gardening, a weekly publication for Australians via email. When you request a free trial (go calyx.com.au/getresultsgardening.html for more information), you can ask for a copy of the 07-02-2025 edition if you want to see the Dracaena fragrans article (Australian residents only).

Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana'

Dracaena fragrans in flower

Dracaena fragrans 'Janet Craig'

An unusual variety of what appears to be D. fragrans with broad yellow stripes

Dracaena fragrans 'Warneckii'

Dracaena fragrans 'Compacta'. Also called Compact Janet Craig

Dracaena reflexa

Synonym Pleomele reflexa

D. reflexa was the featured plant in the 22-05-2026 edition of Get Results Gardening, a weekly publication for Australians via email. When you request a free trial (go calyx.com.au/getresultsgardening.html for more information), you can ask for a copy of the 22-05-2026 edition if you want to see the Dracaena fragrans article (Australian residents only).