Dracaena ‘Star Canary’

Dracaena ‘Star Canary’ name and nursery background

‘Star Canary’ comes from the Sansevieria range supplied by Dutch grower Ansu. Its name reflects the vivid yellow centre of the compact rosette. You may still find the cultivar labelled Sansevieria in nursery catalogues. DNA studies showed that Sansevieria belongs within Dracaena, which is why many former Sansevieria species received Dracaena names in 2018.

Dracaena ‘Star Canary’ care at home

• Light: Give ‘Star Canary’ plenty of bright indirect light. It also tolerates light shade. Gentle direct sun can be introduced gradually; protect the yellow centre from strong midday sun because it can scorch more easily.
• Water: Wait until the potting mix has dried, then water thoroughly into the mix and allow the container to drain completely. Avoid pouring water into the centre of the rosette and empty any water that collects in a saucer or outer pot.
• Humidity: Normal household humidity is enough. Keep water from sitting between the close-set leaves and provide good airflow.
• Temperature: Aim for 15–24°C and keep the plant away from cold draughts and radiators.
• Potting mix: Plant it in a peat-free cactus or succulent mix with good drainage and use a pot with drainage holes.
• Slower growth: The mix stays moist for longer when conditions are cooler or darker, so allow extra drying time before the next watering.
• Feeding: Use a liquid houseplant or cactus fertiliser about once a month while new growth is developing.
• Propagation: Divide the plant or separate rooted offsets to preserve the named colouring. Leaf cuttings from variegated forms can produce plain green plants.
• Repotting: Move into a slightly larger pot once the roots and new growth have filled the current one.

Dracaena ‘Star Canary’ problems to watch for

• The plant becomes soft or starts to wobble at the base: Wet conditions may have damaged the roots. Remove the plant from its pot. With a clean, disinfected tool, cut away all rotten tissue until only firm, healthy tissue remains. Discard the rot and repot in fresh mix that drains well.
• Dry tan or brown patches after strong sun: The yellow foliage may be scorched. Move the plant into bright indirect light and protect it from strong midday sun.
• White cottony insects around the leaf bases: Check for mealybugs. Isolate the plant, remove visible insects and use a treatment labelled for indoor ornamental plants if needed. Repeat it only as directed on the label.
• Pale speckles with fine webbing: Look closely for red spider mites, especially in hot, dry conditions. Isolate the plant and use a suitable treatment as directed on the label.

Dracaena ‘Star Canary’ 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.

Dracaena: where the name comes from

Dracaena comes from Greek drakaina, meaning a female dragon.

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

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. James W. Byng and Maarten J. M. Christenhusz published many resulting Dracaena names in 2018 in Global Flora, volume 4.