Light
Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux
Asparagaceae
Dracaena (Sansevieria) trifasciata 'Night Shade'
- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
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Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots, Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro, How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
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Dracaena (Sansevieria) trifasciata 'Night Shade'
Quick Care Guide
Watering
Water when ~90–100% dry
Substrate
Airy + gritty • Fast-draining • Mineral-leaning • Medium
Temperature
Ideal: 15–24 °C • Avoid below: 10 °C
Humidity
Normal 40–50 %
Growth habit
Upright rosette-forming succulent perennial.
Support
not needed
Growth speed
Slow
Max size indoors
Max. height: 60 cm • Max. spread: 40 cm
Toxicity & safety
Toxic
Origin & habitat
Cultivar of Dracaena trifasciata
Outdoor growing
Outside from 15 °C · rain-sheltered spot
How to read these values
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for your space, pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
- Watering: “% dry” shows how far the mix should dry before watering again; a lower % means the mix stays more evenly moist.
- Potting mix: a short profile of structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
- Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks where stress risk increases.
- Humidity: target bands (Normal/Moist/Humid); consistency usually matters most.
- Outdoor growing: shows when a potted indoor plant can go outside and what kind of outdoor shelter it needs.
- Growth habit: growth form (rosette, trailing, climbing) for placement and support.
- Support: shows whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
- Growth speed: fast/average/slow under suitable indoor conditions; this is a guide, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term potential; the format differs for climbers and trailers.
- Toxicity & safety: irritating or toxic compounds and physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
- Origin & habitat: native region and typical habitat.
Dracaena trifasciata 'Night Shade' – Dark Snake Plant with Yellow-Edged Leaves
Dracaena (Sansevieria) trifasciata 'Night Shade' is a dramatic cultivar of Dracaena trifasciata (Prain) Mabb., formerly classified as Sansevieria. Belonging to the family Asparagaceae, this perennial succulent is prized for its rich, dark foliage. Its long, sabre-like leaves rise upright from a central rosette, creating a bold architectural form. Each leaf is nearly black-green and highlighted with contrasting yellow margins, giving the plant both elegance and striking visual presence.
What Makes Dracaena 'Night Shade' Distinct
- Foliage: Deep, dark green to nearly black leaves with crisp yellow edges.
- Growth Habit: Rosette-forming, with upright sabre-like blades.
- Size: Typically 40 – 70 cm tall indoors, taller in maturity.
- Collector Appeal: One of the most decorative snake plant cultivars, combining strong contrast and durability.
Origin and Background
Dracaena trifasciata is native to West Africa, where it grows in dry, rocky habitats. Formerly grouped within Sansevieria, the species has been reassigned to Dracaena following molecular studies. Cultivars such as 'Night Shade' are horticultural selections, chosen for their unusually dark foliage and contrasting margins that enhance their ornamental value.
Care Guide for Dracaena 'Night Shade'
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light; tolerates shade but yellow variegation is stronger in brighter conditions.
- Watering: Very drought-tolerant; water only when soil is completely dry.
- Soil: Use a fast-draining, mineral-rich succulent or cactus mix.
- Temperature: Ideal range is 18 – 27 °C; protect from frost and cold drafts.
- Fertilizer: Feed lightly with diluted succulent fertilizer during spring and summer.
- Containers: Suits both small and medium pots; adapts well to root-bound conditions.
Care Considerations
- Overwatering: The most common mistake; roots rot if left in soggy soil.
- Growth Pace: Slow-growing; foliage expands gradually over years.
- Pest Risks: Occasionally attracts mealybugs or spider mites if stressed.
- Toxicity: Like all Dracaena, toxic to pets if ingested.
Why Grow Dracaena 'Night Shade'
Dracaena 'Night Shade' offers one of the most dramatic contrasts of any snake plant cultivar. Its deep, almost black leaves and bright yellow edges create a powerful visual effect, while its toughness and drought tolerance make it nearly effortless to grow. For collectors and beginners alike, it delivers both elegance and resilience.
Etymology
The genus name Dracaena comes from the Ancient Greek δράκαινα (drakaina), meaning “female dragon,” in reference to the red resin (“dragon’s blood”) produced by some species. The epithet trifasciata refers to the characteristic banded leaf patterns of the wild type.
Add Dracaena 'Night Shade' to Your Collection
If you want a snake plant with bold contrast and dramatic presence, Dracaena trifasciata 'Night Shade' is a perfect choice. Its nearly black foliage with golden edges makes it a standout in any collection. Order today and enjoy this elegant, low-maintenance cultivar in your home or office.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.
FAQs about Dracaena trifasciata 'Night Shade'
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