Dracaena fragrans ‘Ulises’

How Dracaena fragrans ‘Ulises’ originated

‘Ulises’ began in Heredia, Costa Rica, in 1995, when Arturo Fernandez Alvarado noticed a differently marked shoot on ‘Warneckii’.

Cuttings produced new plants with the same leaf shape and markings.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Ulises’: home care guide

• Light: Bright indirect light suits the broad striped foliage. Filter strong direct sun through glass.
• Water: Let the upper mix dry until the pot feels noticeably lighter. Water well, then empty any water that drains through.
• Potting mix: A peat-free houseplant mix is suitable if it remains airy around the roots and drains quickly after watering.
• Temperature: Keep ‘Ulises’ around 18–27°C.
• Humidity: Typical household humidity works well for ‘Ulises’. Keep the leaves clear of hot radiator or heater air.
• Feeding and water quality: Fertilise sparingly while new leaves are forming. Rainwater or filtered water can help keep the broad leaf ends clean.
• Repotting and taking cuttings: Repot after roots become crowded. Healthy stem or top cuttings continue the established leaf form.

Common issues and solutions for Dracaena fragrans ‘Ulises’

• Brown tips: Tip damage can follow fluoride in tap water, mineral buildup, excess fertiliser, low humidity or irregular watering. Rainwater or filtered water can help protect new growth.
• New leaves become unusually narrow: Check the roots and see whether the potting mix has packed down. Replace dense mix with a fresher, airier mix if needed.
• Yellowing develops with soft roots: Stop watering and take ‘Ulises’ out of its pot. Disinfect the scissors or pruners first, then cut out every rotten section. The roots left behind should feel firm and look healthy. Dispose of the rot and repot in fresh mix with fast drainage.
• Dark spots that look wet or keep spreading: Remove marked foliage and keep water off the broad leaves. Give the crown enough space for the foliage to dry easily.
• Webbing, cottony clusters or firmly attached insects: Examine the undersides of the broad leaves for spider mites, then check stem joints for mealybugs or scale. Choose an indoor treatment that identifies the pest on its label and wait the stated time before using it again.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Ulises’ 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.

What does Dracaena fragrans mean, and who first published it?

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.