What are the characteristics of Dracaena? A detailed guide to Dracaena in one article

Alternative names of Dracaena

Bleeding tree, holy medicine for invigorating blood, longevity plant, worthless tree, bamboo wood, horse-mule sugarcane tree

Morphological characteristics of Dracaena

Evergreen small shrub, up to 4 m tall, bark gray. Leaves sessile, densely clustered at the top of the stem, thickly papery, broadly linear or oblanceolate, 10-35 cm long, 1-5.5 cm wide, base enlarged and stem-clasping, narrower near the base, midvein conspicuous on the lower part of the abaxial side, rib-like, terminal large panicle up to 60 cm long, 1-3 flowers clustered. Flowers white, fragrant. Berry spherical, yellow.

Many species and varieties in the same genus are used for garden ornament. Dracaena has loose wood, a hollow trunk, and branches full of holes, so it cannot be used as a main beam; when burned it only smokes and does not catch fire, so it cannot be used as firewood either. It is truly useless, hence it is also called the "worthless tree."

Growth habits of Dracaena

Dracaena likes high temperature and high humidity, and likes light; with sufficient light, the leaves are brightly colored. It is not cold-tolerant; the winter temperature is about 15°C, and the minimum temperature is 5-10°C.

If the temperature is too low, due to insufficient water absorption by the root system, yellow-brown patches will appear on the leaf tips and leaf margins. Dracaena likes loose, well-drained soil rich in humus and nutrients.

Main values of Dracaena

Ornamental: Dracaena has a graceful and neat plant shape, and its leaf shapes and colors are varied. It is an excellent foliage plant for modern interior decoration; small and medium potted flowers can decorate a study, living room, and bedroom, while medium and large plants can beautify and furnish halls.

Medicinal: After Dracaena is injured, it exudes a blood-colored liquid. This liquid is a resin, dark red, and is a precious traditional Chinese medicine. Its Chinese medicine name is "dragon's blood" or "qilin jelly." It has the medicinal function of invigorating blood and can treat muscle and bone pain.

Economic: The deep red sap of Dracaena can be used as a dye, or to paint violins.