Dracaena zeylanica ‘Narrow’

Dracaena zeylanica ‘Narrow’ origin and name

Nurseries use the name ‘Narrow’ for this member of the zeylanica group. The species occurs naturally in Sri Lanka and southern India, where its habitat has a distinct dry season. The word “zeylanica” is also used as a trade name on other snake plants. Its former species name is Sansevieria zeylanica. In 2017, the species name changed to Dracaena zeylanica after genetic evidence showed that plants formerly called Sansevieria belong within Dracaena.

Growing Dracaena zeylanica ‘Narrow’

• Water: Use dryness and pot weight as your cue. Once the mix has dried well and the container feels light, water thoroughly and allow it to drain.
• Light: A bright position with indirect light suits this plant well.
• Potting mix: Use an airy cactus or succulent blend and make sure the container drains freely.
• Feeding: During active growth, give a small dose of liquid fertiliser about once a month.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep it around 15–24 °C. Normal indoor humidity works well, with some airflow around the plant.
• Repotting: A new pot is useful once roots are crowded or rhizomes start pushing against the sides. Increase the size only slightly.
• Propagation: Separate rooted offsets or divide the rhizome to keep the same ‘Narrow’ form.
• Safety: Put it somewhere pets and small children cannot reach the foliage. Eating the plant may cause harm, and the sap can irritate skin.

Dracaena zeylanica ‘Narrow’ troubleshooting

• The base becomes soft, yellow or unstable: Check the roots and rhizomes for rot if the mix has stayed wet. Cut away rotten tissue with a disinfected tool until only firm healthy growth remains, discard the damaged material and repot into fresh, free-draining mix.
• Leaves become wrinkled: Wrinkling often appears after the plant has gone too long without water. If the mix is dry throughout, water fully and allow the excess to drain.
• Leaves lengthen and lose firmness: Soft, lengthened growth can develop in a position that is too dim. Move the plant closer to bright indirect light and increase the light gradually.
• Fine pale speckles, webbing or white cottony material appear: Check both sides of the leaves for spider mites or mealybugs. Keep the plant separate and use a houseplant treatment labelled for the pest. Follow the repeat schedule on the label.
• Tan or bleached patches form: Harsh sun or a rapid increase in direct light can bleach the foliage. Move the plant away from midday sun and reintroduce stronger light in smaller steps.

If you are unsure what is wrong, send us clear photos of the entire plant, the affected leaf and the potting mix.

Dracaena (Sansevieria) zeylanica ‘Narrow’ 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.

Sansevieria zeylanica and Dracaena zeylanica: why did the name change?

Dracaena comes from Greek drakaina, meaning a female dragon. The epithet zeylanica means “from Ceylon”, the historical name for Sri Lanka.

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 Aloe hyacinthoides var. zeylanica in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 321. David Mabberley later placed it in Dracaena as Dracaena zeylanica 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 zeylanica as a synonym of Dracaena zeylanica.