Madagascar Dragon Tree

Characteristics: Madagascar dragon tree (also known as Dracaena marginata), is a popular houseplant that features woody trunks topped by plumes of long, thin striped leaves. Madagascar dragon tree comes in several varieties such as Tricolor, Magenta, and Marginata Bicolor, which display different shades of red, cream, pink, and green in their foliage. You’ll sometimes find the plant grown with several stems braided together for an even more ornate look.

Grow Madagascar Dragon Tree: Madagascar dragon tree grows well in bright spots indoors. Allow the soil to dry slightly (but not completely) between waterings. Because it’s a slow grower indoors, you don’t worry about repotting it frequently or having it outgrow its space.

Best for: Add a large Madagascar dragon tree to empty corners and sparse rooms in your home for visual interest. Smaller specimens add fun texture to tabletops and mantles.

Corn Plant

Characteristics: Corn plant, also called mass cane (Dracaena massangeana) is one of the most popular dracaenas. It’s thick, straight trunk topped with a large cluster of bold green leaves make this dracaena unmistakable. It’s easy-care nature makes it a perfect choice for use as dramatic indoor décor.

Grow Corn Plant: Because of its tropical origins, corn plant grows best in bright light, such as near a window. It prefers moist soil, but tolerates dry soil from time to time. If dust accumulates on the leaves every once in a while, wipe it off with a damp cloth.  

Best for: Corn plant looks right at home outdoors for the summer on shaded porches or indoors in bright open spaces, such as family rooms and rec rooms.

Dracaena Deremensis

Characteristics: Dracaena deremensis (also referred to as Dracaena fragrans) is commonly found in homes because it’s so easy to grow. The variety Janet Craig is a ubiquitous houseplant that bears rich, dark green shiny leaves. It looks good everywhere. There are also many fun hybrids that offer attractive striped or variegated foliage. Some of the most popular include Warneckii, Lemon Lime, and White Jewel. They’re easy to recognize with their thick, brightly variegated leaves in shades of green, yellow, and white.

Grow Dracaena deremensis: Dracaena deremensis varieties grow best in medium to bright light, especially near a window. Keep the soil evenly moist to avoid brown leaf tips.

Best for: Place young Dracaena deremensis on coffee tables and dressers to pull a room together. The variegated foliage lends itself to a variety of styles and color schemes. Older, larger plants make for excellent focal points for indoor decor.

Song of India

Characteristics: Song of India (Dracaena reflexa) is a short, full plant that features thick variegated green-and-yellow leaves. Its sister, song of Jamaica, offers the same variegation but in the opposite pattern: green leaves with yellow stripes. They’re bold plants that offer wonderful color and texture for indoor spaces.

Grow Song of India: Use song of India (and song of Jamaica) in a bright spot in your home. Water them enough to keep the soil moist, but not consistently soggy. If they don’t get enough light, they may lose their variegation and show all green leaves.

Best for: Song of India and song of Jamaica purify indoor air, making them excellent choices for bedrooms and guest rooms.

Dracaena Anita

Characteristics: Dracaena Anita (a variety of the species D. reflexa) features small sturdy stems and long, skinny, shiny dark green leaves that give the plant a festive feel. Anita’s full foliage is sure to add lush life to any indoor space.

Grow Dracaena Anita: Dracaena Anita grows best in medium light or bright indoor light – such as a sunny window filtered by a sheer curtain. Water this plant every five to seven days, or whenever the soil dries. If Dracaena Anita gets too dry, the leaf tips will turn brown.

Best for: Use Dracaena Anita to dress up a blank wall or corner. A row of the striking plant makes for a great living privacy screen, too!

Dracaena Rikki

Characteristics: Dracaena Rikki is an attractive, fast-growing dracaena that shows off lovely bamboo-like stems and long, green leaves bearing yellow stripes down the center. Even with minimal care, Dracaena Rikki can grow up to a foot a year.

Grow Dracaena Rikki: Dracaena Rikki tolerates low light well, making it a good choice for the far corners of your room. Keep its soil evenly moist for full, colorful leaves.

Best for: Its sturdy, adaptable nature makes Dracaena Rikki the perfect plant for areas of your home that don’t receive much light.

Lucky Bamboo

Characteristics: Contrary to popular belief, lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) isn’t bamboo at all. Instead, lucky bamboo is a dracaena in disguise. You’ll often find the plant’s stems decoratively arranged in straight, woven, or spiral patterns, making it a fantastic gift plant and a delightful way to decorate indoor spaces.

Grow Lucky Bamboo: Lucky bamboo prefers low to medium light (too much light can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown) and consistently moist soil. Don’t always remember to water your plants? No problem: Lucky bamboo grows just as well in a water-filled pot or vase.

Best for: Lucky bamboo is the perfect addition to your desk or bedside table. It’s lovely, yet minimalistic appearance adds interest to surfaces without taking away from other décor.