Dracaena fragrans ‘Golden Coast’

The story behind Dracaena fragrans ‘Golden Coast’

Piet Vijverberg found ‘Golden Coast’ in Naaldwijk, the Netherlands, in October 1987. It appeared as a naturally different shoot on a Dracaena then known in cultivation as ‘Steudneri’.

Plant naming has changed since then, and ‘Golden Coast’ is now treated as Dracaena fragrans. Growers began producing it from cuttings in 1988.

Growing Dracaena fragrans ‘Golden Coast’ well

• Light: Bright indirect light supports the golden edging. A little gentle morning or late-day sun can be fine after the plant has gradually adjusted to it. Filter strong midday light.
• Water: Let the top of the potting mix dry, then water thoroughly and let the container drain well.
• Potting mix: Choose an open peat-free blend that holds moderate moisture and drains freely after watering.
• Temperature: Keep ‘Golden Coast’ around 18–27°C.
• Humidity: Moderate indoor humidity suits the broad, golden-edged foliage.
• Water quality and feeding: Rainwater or suitably filtered water helps keep the golden edges clean. Feed lightly while the plant is making new leaves.
• Repotting: Give ‘Golden Coast’ a larger pot when the roots fill the current one or the tall stem needs a more stable base.

Solving common issues with Dracaena fragrans ‘Golden Coast’

• Brown lines appear along the golden edges: Hard water, excess fertiliser, low humidity or uneven watering can mark the margins. Try filtered water or rainwater and flush excess fertiliser out of the potting mix.
• Several lower leaves turn yellow while the pot remains wet: Wait until more of the mix has dried and inspect the roots. If some are rotten, disinfect the cutting tool and remove the soft sections with scissors or pruners. Leave only firm, healthy roots, bin the rot and repot in clean, free-draining potting mix.
• Bleached or rust-coloured areas face the window: Pull the plant back from the strongest rays or soften the window light with a sheer curtain.
• Dark, wet-looking spots: Cut away affected leaves, keep splashes off the leafy head and leave enough room around it for the leaves to dry quickly.
• Fine webbing, sticky leaves or hard brown bumps: Check the golden-edged leaves and their bases for spider mites, mealybugs and scale. Treat with an indoor product that specifically lists the pest. The product label gives the correct interval before any repeat application.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Golden Coast’ 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 and the history of ‘Golden Coast’

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

Piet Vijverberg selected ‘Golden Coast’ in the Netherlands. The selection received United States plant patent PP12603 in 2002.

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.