How often should I water it?

Water when the top 3 centimeters of soil feel dry.

Does it need direct sun?

It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its leaf color.

Plant guide

Bicolor Song of India.

Dracaena cylindrica Hook.

Pronounced druh-SEE-nuh ree-FLEX-uh

Also known as Dracaena cylindrica

This lovely plant is a popular choice for indoor spaces because it adds a nice pop of color with its striped leaves. It is quite adaptable and brings a tropical feel to any room. You will find it is a sturdy companion that does not ask for much.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical shrub
Light: Bright indirect light is best.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet indoors
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely blooms indoors, but occasionally in late spring.

Care

Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for brown tips on the leaves, which often signal that the air is too dry or the water quality is poor. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them dust free and healthy.

Watering: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems in spring to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot when the roots become crowded.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
The plant stops growing during the active season.

Safety

People: The leaves are toxic if ingested by humans or pets.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of leaves.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Narrow lance shaped leaves
Creamy yellow leaf margins
Dark green central leaf stripe
Woody cane like stems
Upright growth habit

Height: 0.9 to 1.8m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, white, evergreen
Flowers: white, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: orange

Problems to watch for

Spider mites · Tiny pests that create fine webbing on the undersides of leaves.
Leaf tip burn · Brown tips often caused by fluoride in tap water or low humidity.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, air layering
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring the plant indoors before temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius. Keep it away from cold drafts and heating vents.
In containers: It grows very well in containers and prefers a pot that is just slightly larger than its root ball.

Stem Cuttings

1. Cut a 15 centimeter stem section.
2. Place the cutting in a jar of water.
3. Change the water weekly.
4. Pot in soil once roots are 5 centimeters long.

Group plants with similar water needs together to simplify your care routine.

Grows well with

Peace Lily · They share similar light and moisture requirements.
Pothos · They make a lovely visual contrast when grown in the same space.

Similar species

Corn Plant · It is a related species with broader, solid green leaves.
Dragon Tree · It has thinner, reed like stems and red edged leaves.

Science

Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Dracaena
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical regions of Africa.
Conservation: Not currently of conservation concern.

It grows as an understory plant in tropical forests, where it thrives in filtered light.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: moths
Uses: houseplant, office plant, indoor accent

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water when the top 3 centimeters of soil feel dry.
Does it need direct sun?: It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its leaf color.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Dracaena comes from the Greek word drakaina, meaning female dragon, referring to the resinous sap. The specific epithet bicolor highlights the dual coloration of the foliage.

Good to know

It is a slow grower that stays compact for years.
The name bicolor refers to the two distinct colors on the leaves.
It is highly efficient at filtering indoor air pollutants.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 28, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.