Glasshouse plants

Dracaena reflexa
Pleomele, song of India

This is a tropical tree native to Madagascar, Mauritius, and other nearby islands. It is sometimes listed under its old name, Pleomele reflexa.

In ideal conditions D. reflexa may reach a height of 4-5m (14-17ft), but is usually much smaller, especially when grown as a houseplant. D. reflexa ‘Variegata’ is smaller and slower growing, getting up to 2m (6.5ft) high. This form is very ornamental and has short, strappy lemon and lime striped leaves, that can grow to 15cm (6in) long.

If you can provide a warm, humid atmosphere then this is one of the best dracaenas to grow. Tropical in origin, it needs high humidity and a constant temperature; indoors a light bathroom is the best place to grow one.

Plants prefer a position in light shade to brightish indirect light. Although they can survive in relatively low light levels, they may grow spindly; the variegated form may even loose its leaf colouring. They need average warmth, with a winter minimum of 18-25°C (65-77°F).

Keep the compost slightly moist and do not let it dry out during the growing period (March-September) but avoid it becoming soggy or waterlogged; allow it to dry out slightly between watering. Reduce the watering in winter. Overwatering in cool conditions can cause leaf loss. Give a liquid feed every month or so during the growing period.

Improve humidity by regular misting with tepid water or, better still, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles. In very dry atmospheres the leaves may develop brown tips and yellow edges.

As the lower leaves shrivel and die, peel them off to reveal the trunk.

Leaves may become marked if the plant is overfed or if there is too much chloride or fluoride in the water. Plants may become top heavy with age and then need staking or the main stem pruning back.

Geoff Hodge

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