Dracaena plants are among the most popular house plants because of their beautiful yet low-maintenance nature. They are great gift options for friends and relatives, whether for housewarming parties or birthdays.
With over 120 species, though, choosing one may be tough. Each provides different ornamental value and has different care requirements, so there’s a lot to consider.
In this article, we’ll list 10 types of dracaena plants that are great choices for gifts. We’ll discuss their appearance, care requirements, and benefits to help you decide.
Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
Official Name: Dracaena marginata
Common Name: Dragon Tree
Origin: Madagascar
Size: Up to 6 feet tall
Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
Water: Every three weeks or more. If the top of the soil appears to be dry, then it’s time to water it.
Toxicity: Toxic to pets
Best for: People who are working from home and want their home office to have a bit of personality. They can also help purify the air in the office.
The Dracaena marginata, also known as the Madagascar dragon tree, is a popular type of Dracaena that is native to Madagascar. They’re slow growing, making them suitable for indoor settings.
This type of Dracaena is distinct from others because of its thin, upright stem that can grow up to six feet tall. It also has long, narrow leaves that can either have dark red outer leaves and a green center or purple and gold stripes with a green center.
They require little maintenance and can support themselves without much help.
They’re also on NASA’s air filtering plants list. They can help reduce xylene, trichloroethylene, benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde, resulting in improved air quality within the house.
Just ensure that the recipient of the plant doesn’t have cats and dogs, as the plant can be toxic to them if they accidentally digest the leaves.
Song of India (Dracaena reflexa)
Botanical Name: Dracaena reflexa
Common Name: Song of India
Origin: Africa
Size: Up to 18 feet
Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
Water: At least every 12 days
Toxicity: Toxic to pets
Best for: People who love decorating their homes, as the striking appearance of the plant can add a great touch of green and yellow to their living space.
You might think that the Song of India originated from India because of its name, but the truth is it’s an African plant. The “India” in its name comes from the fact that they grow on islands near the Indian Ocean.
Its leaves are sword-shaped with a dark green accent in the center and a light green shade on their edges.
They are a favorite among homeowners because they can add something different to their houses, whether indoors or outdoors. They can grow up to 18 feet if you plant them outdoors, elevating the overall landscape of your home.
The best thing about this type of Dracaena is that they aren’t vulnerable to garden pests, allowing them to last a lot longer and not need much care. Just make sure that the receiver of the plant will place them somewhere they can get sunlight.
Gifting one to your relative or friend can help bring more color and personality to their home, so consider them when thinking of what presents you can give them.
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Botanical Name: Dracaena sanderiana
Common Name: Lucky bamboo
Origin: Southeast Asia
Size: Up to 5 feet tall
Light: Indirect sunlight
Water: At least twice a week
Toxicity: Toxic to pets
Best for: Friends and relatives who are big fans of extravagant vases and flowers. They’ll greatly appreciate the unique touch this plant can provide in their homes.
Contrary to its name, lucky bamboo is not actually bamboo. The reason behind its name is its appearance, which resembles bamboo.
They are excellent houseplants that require little care. You can ignore them for weeks, and they’ll still be fine, making them a great choice for people who are busy with their careers.
They’re believed to bring good luck in feng shui, hence the name. Giving them a friend or a relative is similar to praying that they receive great fortune and good luck in their lives.
The best way to gift them is by planting them in a unique pot to elevate their overall look.
Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena surculosa)
Botanical Name: Dracaena surculosa
Common Name: Gold dust dracaena, Florida beauty
Origin: West Africa
Size: Up to 4 feet tall
Light: Indirect sunlight
Water: 1 to 2 times a week
Toxicity: Toxic to pets
Best for: Friends, relatives, or co-workers who recently moved to a new home, as it can help make a new and empty house look well-decorated
The Dracaena surculosa, commonly known as gold dust dracaena or Florida Beauty, has incredible ornamental value because of its unique appearance.
It’s characterized by dark green leaves that are speckled with gold dust-like spots. It can mature to a height of 4 feet, so they’re better placed indoors.
They’re relatively low-maintenance, with only occasional fertilization and wiping needed to keep them alive. They also grow better when exposed to bright, indirect sunlight.
They can help filter out formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon dioxide from the air, making them an even better choice for homes.
You can wrap them up in a pot and send them to a friend who recently moved into a new house or to your boss for their office.
Just make sure to remind them to keep the plant away from children’s reach as it can be toxic to them if they accidentally chew it.
Mother-in-law’s Tongue (Dracaena trifasciata)
Botanical Name: Dracaena trifasciata
Common Name: Mother-in-law’s tongue, snake plant
Origin: West Africa
Size: Up to 8 feet tall
Light: Indirect sunlight
Water: Every 2 to 6 weeks, depending on when the soil completely dries out
Toxicity: Toxic to pets
Best for: Friends and relatives who are new to planting, since they can grow without much help or care
The Mother-in-law’s Tongue is another popular type of Dracaena plant that’s most commonly known as the snake plant. Its upright sword-like leaves make it easily recognizable among a sea of plants.
Some varieties of this plant have a yellowish edge, while some have white. There are also some that have solid green leaves, while some have gray or silver-like patterns.
It’s the best option for you if the person you want to give it to is relatively new to planting. They can grow in whatever lighting condition and don’t need to be watered a lot.
It’s also another Dracaena plant that has excellent air-purifying properties.
They can reduce formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere, making them a great choice for anyone who wants to improve the air quality in their home or office.
If you are giving it to anyone, make sure to inform them that it can cause their pets to feel sick if they accidentally swallow it. They’re not toxic enough to kill, but no one wants their pets to get sick, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Janet Craig (Dracaena deremensis)
Botanical Name: Dracaena deremensis
Common Name: Janet Craig
Origin: Africa
Size: Up to 6 feet indoors and 15 feet outdoors
Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
Water: Once a week
Toxicity: Toxic to pets
Best for: Friends and relatives who are plant enthusiasts. The plant can grow up to 15 feet when planted outdoors, which can be overwhelming for those who just started planting.
Janet Craig is a variant of the Dracaena deremensis species that’s popular for being an easy-to-care-for houseplant. It’s named after the daughter of Robert Craig, a nurseryman from Philadelphia.
Janet Craig offers beautiful glossy dark green leaves that can easily catch anyone’s attention. They can grow up to 15 feet tall, but there are some that are specifically cultivated for indoor use.
They grow best in brightly lit indoor areas and semi-shaded outdoor areas. They also don’t need much water when placed indoors, so you won’t have a hard time growing them.
Probably the most care you’ll provide for them is wiping off the dust from their leaves, as their upright structure causes them to accumulate a lot.
Mass Cane (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”)
Botanical Name: Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”
Common Name: Mass cane, corn plant
Origin: Africa
Size: Up to 6 feet
Light: Indirect sunlight
Water: Once a week
Toxicity: Toxic to pets
Best for: Friends and relatives who are not sensitive to fragrances, as the sweet scent emitted by the plant’s flowers can be too strong for them
Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana,” better known for its common names mass cane and corn plant, sports long and curved green leaves. The leaves also have a yellowish streak in the center, which adds to the plant’s ornamental value.
The plant can grow to a height of four to six feet and can survive even in low light, but keep them in places with indirect sunlight for best results. Watering them once a week is also sufficient to keep them alive.
They can grow a cluster of white flowers that will emit a sweet and heady fragrance. The smell can be too strong at times, so it’s better to cut the flowers off if you’re sensitive to fragrances.
Mass cane is also among the plants identified by NASA as a great air purifier, so they’re best gifted to people with kids, as they will help improve the air quality around them.
Green Zebra Plant (Dracaena goldieana)
Botanical Name: Dracaena goldieana
Common Name: Green zebra plant
Origin: West Africa
Size: Up to 13 feet
Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
Water: Every 2 to 4 weeks
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Best for: People who live a busy life and can’t provide constant care for plants. They’re non-toxic to pets, so they don’t have to worry even when they’re not at home.
The Dracaena goldieana, or green zebra plant, is easily recognizable among other Dracaena plants because of its leaves that sport patterns similar to that of a zebra.
This evergreen plant can grow up to 4 meters but only typically grows up to 2 meters when placed at home. Its leaves are quite broad compared to other species in the Dracaena genus.
They grow better when placed in areas where there isn’t much sunlight and with regular watering. They can produce small, fragrant flowers that bloom in clusters, making them even more beautiful.
They can be hard to find, making them extra special. They can add a touch of tropical elegance to any indoor or outdoor space, so consider them when looking for a gift.
Dracaena Tree (Dracaena arborea)
Botanical Name: Dracaena arborea
Common Name: Dracaena tree
Origin: West Africa
Size: Up to 8 feet tall
Light: Indirect sunlight
Water: 2 to 4 times a month
Toxicity: Toxic to cats and dogs
Best for: Friends and relatives who are hosting a housewarming party
The Dracaena tree of the Dracaena arborea species boasts sword-shaped green leaves that are clustered on top of the trunk, imitating the look of a palm tree.
The plant can grow up to 8 feet tall, so they’re best placed in areas with a lot of space. They are resistant to wind, so they’ll thrive even when placed in semi-shaded areas outdoors.
They also don’t require regular watering. Some can last for a month without water if placed in shaded areas.
Dracaena tree’s resemblance to palm trees adds a tropical element to homes, making them appear more homey and warm. Hence, they’d make great gifts to friends who are hosting a housewarming party.
Lemon Surprise (Dracaena deremensis)
Botanical Name: Dracaena deremensis
Common Name: Lemon surprise
Origin: Africa, Asia, and Central America
Size: Up to 3 feet
Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
Water: Once a week
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and people
Best for: Friends and relatives who are living alone
Lemon surprise is another variant of the Dracaena deremensis species that is an excellent gifting choice. It has upright leaves that slightly twist, making them appear quite unique compared to other types of Dracaena plants.
The leaves sport light yellow-green edges and a dark green center that’s often decorated by white stripes. It’s a striking plant that can add drama and personality to every home.
The colors of the leaves usually become more vivid when the plant is placed in areas that receive bright, indirect sunlight. They also don’t need constant repotting, so whoever has them won’t need to exert much effort in taking care of them.
They can be toxic when ingested, so make sure that the person you’re gifting them to doesn’t have young children.
