Dracaena ‘Fernwood Mikado’

Identity and naming history of Dracaena ‘Fernwood Mikado’

‘Fernwood Mikado’ is a horticultural trade name used for narrow, cylindrical-leaved snake plants. It is commonly sold as Sansevieria bacularis ‘Fernwood Mikado’ or Dracaena bacularis ‘Fernwood Mikado’. Its exact breeding background is unclear. The older Sansevieria name remains widespread on nursery labels.

Dracaena ‘Fernwood Mikado’ care and growing conditions

• Light: Bright indirect light supports firm upright growth, but ‘Fernwood Mikado’ also tolerates light shade. Turn the pot from time to time if the leaves begin leaning towards the light.
• Leaf tips: Protect the fine growing points from repeated knocks. Damage to a tip can stop that leaf from growing longer.
• Potting mix: Use three parts peat-free loam-based potting mix with one part coarse horticultural grit.
• Water: Allow the mix to dry before watering again. Water thoroughly when needed, then let all excess drain away. Give the plant more drying time when conditions are cooler or darker.
• Humidity: It does not need extra humidity. Good airflow is useful around the closely packed leaves.
• Temperature: Keep it at about 15–24°C.
• Feeding: Apply a half-strength balanced liquid fertiliser once a month while fresh growth is appearing.
• Propagation: New shoots can be separated after they develop their own roots, and established plants can be divided. Leaf sections can also be rooted in warm conditions.
• Repotting: Repot when the roots and new growth have filled the pot.

What to check on Dracaena ‘Fernwood Mikado’

• A growing tip is crushed or broken: That leaf may stop lengthening. Leave it in place if the rest of the leaf is firm and healthy, or remove the whole leaf cleanly at the base if the damage is severe.
• The upright growth suddenly loosens or collapses: Inspect the roots. With a clean, disinfected tool, cut away all soft or rotten tissue until only healthy tissue remains and discard the rot. Check the remaining fleshy roots for vine-weevil larvae as well.
• Leaves become wrinkled: Dry mix with firm roots calls for water. Damp mix with soft roots points to root damage and needs attention first.
• Cottony white insects hide at the base: Check between the closely grouped leaves for mealybugs. Isolate the plant, remove visible pests and use a labelled indoor ornamental treatment if needed. Follow the label for any repeat treatment.

Dracaena (Sansevieria) bacularis ‘Fernwood Mikado’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• It contains saponins that can irritate the mouth and digestive tract.
• Chewing may cause drooling, vomiting, stomach pain, reduced appetite or weakness. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop.

Why is Sansevieria bacularis now called Dracaena bacularis?

Dracaena comes from Greek drakaina, meaning a female dragon. The epithet bacularis comes from Latin baculum, a stick, rod or staff.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Dracaena in 1767 in Mantissa Plantarum, page 9; Domenico Vandelli had proposed the name.

Alan Butler and Stephen Jankalski first described it as Sansevieria bacularis in 2010 in Sansevieria, volume 22, page 3; Horst Pfennig had proposed that name. James W. Byng and Maarten J. M. Christenhusz later placed it in Dracaena as Dracaena bacularis in 2018 in Global Flora, volume 4, page 65.

Sansevieria remains common in horticulture. Pei-Luen Lu and Clifford Morden showed that it belongs within Dracaena in a 2014 DNA study in Systematic Botany, volume 39. Kew’s World Checklist treats Sansevieria bacularis as a synonym of Dracaena bacularis.