Dracaena fragrans ‘Burundii’

Dracaena fragrans ‘Burundii’: name and background

‘Burundii’ is a name used in the plant trade. The name also appears on plants called ‘Janet Lind’, so the two names can overlap in commercial listings.

Dracaena fragrans is native across tropical Africa, where it grows as a woody shrub or tree in areas that often have a distinct dry season.

Growing Dracaena fragrans ‘Burundii’ indoors

• Light: Place it in bright indirect light. Its green foliage can also grow in a naturally bright room with gentler filtered light.
• Water: Let the top layer dry and wait until the pot feels noticeably lighter. Then water slowly through the potting mix and let all surplus water escape.
• Potting mix: Choose a loose peat-free mix that keeps some moisture around the roots and lets excess water escape quickly.
• Temperature: Temperatures of roughly 18–27°C suit ‘Burundii’. Keep it away from cold doorways and draughty windows.
• Humidity: Normal room humidity usually suits ‘Burundii’. A little extra humidity can help keep the leaf ends smooth.
• Water quality and feeding: For cleaner leaf ends, rainwater or filtered water is a good choice. Feed sparingly with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser while the plant is growing.
• Long-term care: Repot ‘Burundii’ when roots fill the pot or the mix starts draining slowly. Overlong stems can be cut back cleanly.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Burundii’: problem signs and solutions

• Brown leaf ends: Check water quality, fertiliser buildup, dry air and uneven watering. Rainwater or filtered water and a steadier watering routine can improve new growth.
• Yellow leaves appear while the potting mix stays damp: Let the mix dry more before watering again and make sure the pot drains freely. If the roots also smell sour or feel soft, check them for rot.
• A stem base or roots become soft: Remove ‘Burundii’ from its pot and examine the softened area. Wipe scissors or pruners with disinfectant before cutting away every rotten part. Keep only tissue that feels firm and looks healthy. Throw the waste away and use fresh, loose potting mix when repotting.
• Dry pale patches develop on the window-facing leaves: Pull the pot back from strong sun or soften the light with a sheer curtain.
• Fine pale speckles, waxy white patches or shell-like insects: Search the leafy heads for spider mites, mealybugs and scale. Remove pests you can reach, then select a houseplant treatment whose label names the pest. Follow that label for use and for the timing of any second treatment.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Burundi’ 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.

About the name Dracaena fragrans

Dracaena comes from Greek drakaina, meaning a female dragon. Fragrans is Latin for fragrant and refers to the flowers.

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

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Aletris fragrans in 1762 in Species Plantarum, second edition, page 456. John Bellenden Ker Gawler later placed it in Dracaena as Dracaena fragrans in 1808 in Botanical Magazine, volume 27, plate 1081.