Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia ‘Red’

Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia ‘Red’: native range and name background

The plant sold as ‘Red’ belongs to Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia. This variety grows naturally as a woody shrub or tree on Aldabra, the Chagos Archipelago, the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rodrigues, Réunion and the Seychelles.

The older botanical name Dracaena marginata applies to Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia as a whole and remains common in the houseplant trade. ‘Red’ is a commercial product name used for this red-edged form; it does not represent a separate botanical name for the variety.

Growing Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia ‘Red’ indoors

• Light: place ‘Red’ in bright indirect light so the crowns stay compact and the fine red margins remain clear. Keep the leaves away from intense sun through hot glass.
• Watering: water after the upper mix has dried while the lower layers still retain a little moisture. Wet the mix evenly and let all excess drain.
• Temperature: a steady 18–24°C suits ‘Red’; temperatures should remain above 15°C.
• Humidity: normal household humidity is usually suitable. In persistently dry rooms, a modest increase can help protect the long leaf tips. Keep the foliage away from radiators and other sources of persistently hot, dry air.
• Potting mix: use a loose, fast-draining mix with enough weight to steady the tall canes.
• Water quality: use collected rainwater, distilled water or low-mineral filtered water where the local tap water is hard or fluoridated.
• Feeding: feed lightly while new leaves are forming.
• Slower growth: when new leaves appear more slowly, allow more of the mix to dry and feed less often.
• Repotting and support: choose a slightly larger container once roots pack the pot or the tall plant becomes unstable. The canes normally stand without support; stake an individual stem if it begins to lean.
• Pruning and propagation: shorten an overlong cane above a node to encourage shoots below the cut. Healthy leafy tops and cane sections can be rooted.

Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia ‘Red’: leaf, stem, root and pest problems

• Brown tips spreading into the red margins: fluoride, hard-water minerals, excess fertiliser or hot, dry airflow can be responsible. Use collected rainwater where possible. Distilled water or low-mineral filtered water can also reduce further marking. Reduce the fertiliser strength or frequency, move the foliage away from hot airflow and flush accumulated salts from the mix once with the same low-mineral water.
• Pale horizontal bands: a brief spell of low temperature can scar individual leaves permanently. Return ‘Red’ to a stable, warm position away from chilly windows and cold draughts.
• Irregular or enlarging yellow-brown spots: spreading marks can indicate leaf spot. Keep the leaves dry, improve airflow and remove heavily affected leaves with clean shears.
• Yellowing with a soft stem base or dark roots: prolonged wetness can cause root rot. Remove the plant from its pot and use disinfected shears to cut away every dark or soft root until the remaining roots are healthy and firm. Discard the decayed material, repot in fresh airy mix and allow a longer drying period before watering again.
• Tiny pale dots, fine webbing or silvered streaks: examine the narrow leaf clusters for mites or thrips. Keep ‘Red’ apart from nearby houseplants. Choose a houseplant treatment whose label lists the pest present, apply the stated amount and wait for the full label interval before treating again.

When the cause remains unclear, send clear photos to Foliage Factory showing the whole plant, the damaged leaves and the potting mix.

Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia ‘Red’ 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.

How did the name change from Dracaena marginata to Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia?

Dracaena comes from Greek drakaina, meaning a female dragon. The epithet reflexa is Latin for bent or turned backwards, referring to the recurved leaves.

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

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck first described Dracaena reflexa in 1786 in Encyclopédie, volume 2, page 324.

The older name Dracaena marginata is also widely used for this plant. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck first described Dracaena marginata in 1786 in Encyclopédie 2: 324. Kew’s World Checklist treats it as a synonym of Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia.