Dracaena fragrans ‘White Stripe’

How Dracaena fragrans ‘White Stripe’ started

‘White Stripe’ was developed in Tilburg, the Netherlands, by Te-We Wholesale Nursery from a differently striped shoot on ‘Warneckei’.

Keeping Dracaena fragrans ‘White Stripe’ healthy indoors

• Light: Place ‘White Stripe’ in bright filtered light and screen the pale leaves from strong midday sun.
• Water: Once the surface has dried and the pot feels lighter, soak the mix thoroughly and let the excess water drain.
• Potting mix: Choose a light peat-free houseplant mix that lets excess water escape easily.
• Temperature: Keep ‘White Stripe’ around 18–27°C.
• Humidity: ‘White Stripe’ is comfortable at ordinary room humidity. Slightly more humid air is also fine.
• Water quality and feeding: For the pale-striped foliage, choose rainwater or filtered water when possible. Keep fertiliser applications light.
• Repotting and taking cuttings: Move to a larger container once roots tightly fill the pot. Healthy stem cuttings keep the bright white striping.

Dracaena fragrans ‘White Stripe’: problems to watch for

• Pale bands crisp from the tips inward: Hard water, built-up fertiliser and dry air can show quickly on white tissue. Change to rainwater or filtered water, then rinse built-up fertiliser from the potting mix.
• Yellowing appears while the potting mix stays wet: Lengthen the time between waterings and inspect the roots. If any parts have rotted, wipe scissors or pruners with disinfectant, then remove those sections. Stop when only firm, healthy-looking roots remain. Throw out the rot and repot ‘White Stripe’ in fresh houseplant mix with good drainage.
• New foliage becomes unusually narrow: Inspect the roots and the condition of the potting mix. Roots that are short of air can produce long, unusually narrow leaves.
• Dry cream or rust-coloured patches: Reduce sun exposure with a sheer curtain or place the plant where bright light reaches it indirectly.
• Fine pale speckles, distorted new leaves or sticky deposits: Search the striped leafy heads for spider mites and inspect the stems for signs of scale or mealybugs. Keep an infested plant apart from the rest. Choose a product whose label lists the pest. Follow the directions, including when it can be used again.

Dracaena fragrans ‘White Stripe’ 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 fragrans: name and meaning

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.