Dracaena trifasciata ‘Black Coral’

Identity and natural origin of Dracaena trifasciata ‘Black Coral’

The native range of Dracaena trifasciata includes southern Nigeria, parts of west-central Africa and Tanzania. It grows in tropical habitats with a dry season.

Older plant labels and books may use Sansevieria trifasciata.

Dracaena trifasciata ‘Black Coral’ indoor care

• Water: Let the potting mix dry completely before watering again. Water slowly around the base until excess drains from the pot, then empty any standing water.
• Light: Give bright filtered light. Light shade also works for ‘Black Coral’.
• Potting mix: Use a fast-draining succulent mix in a pot with drainage holes.
• Humidity: Normal room humidity is fine. If you wipe the broad leaves, let them dry promptly.
• Temperature: Keep ‘Black Coral’ around 15–24°C and away from cold draughts.
• Repotting: Move it up one pot size when the roots fill the pot or new fans begin to press against the sides.
• Feeding: Feed lightly about once a month while fresh leaves or shoots are appearing.
• Cooler conditions: The mix stays damp for longer as growth slows, so extend the time between waterings.
• Propagation: Separate a rooted side fan from the clump to make another plant with the same leaf pattern.
• Handling: Wear gloves for cutting or division because the sap may irritate skin. Keep the plant where children and pets cannot reach the leaves; eating them can cause stomach upset.

Dracaena trifasciata ‘Black Coral’ leaf, root and pest problems

• A leaf collapses where it meets the potting mix: A collapsing leaf base can signal rot. Remove the plant from its pot and check the base and roots. Cut back to firm, healthy tissue using a clean, disinfected blade. Throw away the rotten material and repot the healthy section in a fresh mix that drains quickly.
• Leaves wrinkle while the pot feels very light: If the roots are firm and the potting mix is dry, the plant is likely thirsty. Water thoroughly and let the pot drain fully.
• Leaves lean or fresh growth loses strength: A dim position can make the leaves lean, while weak roots can leave fresh growth unstable. Move the plant gradually to a brighter spot and check that the roots are firm and holding it securely.
• Fine pale speckling or webbing: Check closely for spider mites and isolate the plant. If treatment is needed, choose a product labelled for spider mites and follow the label.
• Expanding brown leaf spots: Brown spots that enlarge across the leaf can indicate a leaf-spot infection. Keep the leaves dry, improve air movement and remove badly damaged leaves with clean scissors. Check fresh growth for continued spotting.

Dracaena trifasciata ‘Black Coral’ 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.

Which name is used now: Sansevieria trifasciata or Dracaena trifasciata?

Dracaena comes from Greek drakaina, meaning a female dragon. The epithet trifasciata means three-banded.

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

David Prain first described it as Sansevieria trifasciata in 1903 in Bengal Plants, volume 2, page 1054. David Mabberley later placed it in Dracaena as Dracaena trifasciata in 2017 in Mabberley’s Plant-book, edition 4, page 1101.

Sansevieria remains common in horticulture. Pei-Luen Lu and Clifford Morden showed that it belongs within Dracaena in a 2014 DNA study in Systematic Botany, volume 39. Kew’s World Checklist treats Sansevieria trifasciata as a synonym of Dracaena trifasciata.