Dracaena fragrans ‘Jade Jewel’

The 1998 origin of Dracaena fragrans ‘Jade Jewel’

‘Jade Jewel’ began in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands, in 1998, when Ruud Scheffers found naturally different growth on ‘White Jewel’.

New plants made by dividing the top growth kept the same compact shape and green, white and grey-green leaf pattern.

How to grow Dracaena fragrans ‘Jade Jewel’

• Light: Give it bright indirect light and filter strong direct sun around the white sections.
• Water: Allow the surface layer to dry until the pot feels lighter. Then water slowly through the mix and let the surplus drain.
• Potting mix: A peat-free mix works well if it stays loose, holds a little moisture and drains well.
• Temperature: Aim for about 18–27°C for ‘Jade Jewel’.
• Humidity: ‘Jade Jewel’ does well at normal indoor humidity. Avoid placing it beside a heater.
• Feeding and water quality: Feed gently while ‘Jade Jewel’ is making new growth. Rainwater or filtered water is useful for the pale leaf sections.
• Repotting and making new plants: Move up a pot size once the roots fill the container. To make a new plant, separate a healthy top section that includes the centre where new leaves emerge.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Jade Jewel’: common problems and fixes

• Brown tips spread into the white bands: Check fluoride, minerals from tap water, fertiliser strength and dry air. Use cleaner water and flush the potting mix if salts have built up.
• Several leaves yellow while the potting mix stays wet: Delay the next watering and examine the roots. Use disinfected scissors or pruners to remove any soft, rotten sections. Stop when the remaining roots feel firm and look healthy. Throw the rot away, then repot ‘Jade Jewel’ in fresh, loose potting mix.
• Dry tan patches appear on the pale sections: Reduce direct sun through glass and move it into bright filtered light.
• Dark spots that look wet or continue spreading: Remove affected leaves early, direct water into the pot and give the leafy head enough space to dry between waterings.
• Distorted new growth, webbing or sticky deposits: Search the compact leafy head for spider mites, scale and mealybugs. Remove visible pests where practical. If treatment is still needed, use one whose label lists the pest and follow the label for any repeat treatment.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Jade Jewel’ 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.