25 Types of Dracaena Plants

Dracaena is mostly known as a houseplant but this genus of about 170 species also comprises trees that are too big to be grown indoors. Regardless of their size, what all dracaena plants have in common are spear- or grass-shaped leaves that grow from one or more thick, fleshy, cane-like main stems. In their native tropical environment, which is Africa for most species, some dracaena plants can grow to 20 feet or more. As houseplants, they remain much smaller, under 8 feet in height. 

When grown indoors, the plants rarely produce flowers. Dracaena are appreciated for their foliage, which is often variegated. Unless you are a dracaena aficionado, many of the varieties look similar, and the only distinguishing factor may be the price. Common dracaena varieties such as the snake plant (D. trifascita) are available at big box stores while other, rare varieties are highly sought after by plant collectors and very pricey. 

One of the reasons why dracaena is so popular as a houseplant—and what all varieties have in common—is that the plant is low-maintenance and easy to care for. And, an important consideration in many indoor settings, they do well in low light conditions. In fact, too much direct sunlight, such as in a location in front of a window, can damage the foliage. While the plant can survive in very little light, most varieties do best in bright, indirect sunlight that mimics the conditions in the native habitat where Dracaena are often understory plants. Bright indirect light is are especially important for varieties with variegated foliage because in a very low light setting, the variegation becomes weaker and less striking. 

Here are 25 varieties of Dracaena. Unless otherwise noted, they are grown as houseplants.