Dracaena masoniana ‘Dragon’ (formerly Sansevieria masoniana)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo

‘Dragon’ is a form of Dracaena masoniana. The wild species comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it grows in tropical regions with a distinct dry season.

The Congo’s seasonal climate gives ‘Dragon’ warmth during active growth and a clear period of reduced rainfall. Its broad leaf and substantial root system carry the plant through that drier phase.

Dracaena masoniana ‘Dragon’: watering and pot stability

• Light: Choose bright, indirect light; a little direct sun is fine once the plant is acclimated.
• Watering: Wait until the mix is almost dry, then water thoroughly and empty any excess.
• Substrate: Pot it in a coarse, freely draining mix with plenty of mineral material.
• Temperature: Maintain warm conditions, ideally 18–29°C, and protect it from temperatures below 12°C.
• Humidity: Normal household humidity is enough. Water the mix rather than pouring into the centre of the plant.
• Feeding: Use fertiliser sparingly, about once a month during active growth.
• Repotting: Move the plant only when the roots or expanding rhizomes leave little free space in the pot.
• Propagation: Separate a well-rooted offset at the rhizome and pot it independently. This is the most reliable way to reproduce the parent plant’s form.
• Winter: Keep the root zone drier through winter, especially in a cool room.
• Support: A large whale-fin leaf can make the pot top-heavy; stabilise the container rather than tying the leaf.

Common problems with Dracaena masoniana ‘Dragon’

• Dark, soft tissue at the base: This indicates rot, usually after the substrate remained wet in cool conditions. Stop watering, unpot the plant and inspect the roots and rhizome. Use a disinfected blade to remove soft tissue back to a firm section, let every cut dry fully, then repot in fresh, dry, freely draining substrate.
• A deep crease in a thick leaf: A hardened fold caused by pressure or bending will not straighten. Protect developing leaves from contact with shelves, sleeves and packaging, and judge recovery from undamaged new growth.
• Wrinkled or less firm leaves: Check both the substrate and the roots before watering. A dry root ball with firm roots points to thirst; damp substrate, a loose base or soft roots points to root damage, which must be corrected before the plant can take up water again.
• Weak or unusually narrow new growth: Thin, poorly supported new leaves indicate that growth is continuing with insufficient usable light. Increase brightness gradually and assess the improvement from the next shoot; existing weak growth will not thicken.

Dracaena is toxic to cats and dogs and has sharp leaf tips

Dracaena contains saponins. Eating the leaves can cause drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite and lethargy; cats may also have dilated pupils. Firm, pointed leaves can also scratch skin or eyes. Keep the plant away from eye level and busy routes, and contact a veterinarian if a pet eats it.

Named for Maurice Mason

Masoniana honours British succulent grower and collector Maurice Mason, who brought the plant into cultivation. The species was first named under Sansevieria and is now placed in Dracaena.

Linnaeus validly published Vandelli’s genus Dracaena in the 1767 Mantissa Plantarum. Juan Chahinian formally described Sansevieria masoniana in the Cactus and Succulent Journal in 2000. Byng and Christenhusz transferred it to Dracaena in Global Flora in 2018.