Reflexa
Reflexa
Dracaena reflexa
Light Level: Medium
Water Level: Low
Dracaena reflexa can be growth as a small bush or a tree. It has short, thick, pointed leaves that are dark green. D. reflexa ‘Song of Jamaica’ has variegated leaves with ivory to yellow-beige stripes. D. reflexa ‘Song of India’ has bright yellow variegation. You can prune reflexa anywhere along a branch and a new sprout will occur.
Country of Origin
Africa and Asia
Maintenance Tips
These plants do well when kept on the dry side. You will find they are often in Hawaiian lava rock potting media, which helps prevent root rot. Do not allow these plants to sit in water.
Reflexa prefer low to medium light, depending on cultivar.
Pests and Problems
Scale, mealybugs, and thrips are most common.
Root diseases are generally caused by overwatering or sitting in water. Leaf spots (which sometimes occurs with wilting) on newer leaves can be caused by fungi living in the soil. Aerate the soil and allow the plant to dry down. Clean any tool used on diseased plants to prevent the spread of the fungus.
Stem rot, which is also caused by overwatering, may cause a bad odor.
Tip burn develops when the plant is too dry, humidity is too low. It can also be caused by an accumulation of boron or fluoride, or high soluble salts.
When exposed to too much light, the leaves may become bleached. Move the plant away from the light source.
Fusarium moniliforme is a leaf spot disease caused by this pathogen often found in Dracaenas. Leaf spots are round, raised, rust colored lesions with yellow halos. Off-white spores appear at the growing point where the apex may rot. Other symptoms include root rot, chlorosis, and wilting.
Phyllosticta maculicola is a pathogen that causes a leaf spot disease. In Dracaena it is characterized by brown leaf spots with yellow halos. With P. dracaenae, the spots are irregular, brown with purple borders and yellow halos, and appear on the lower surface of older foliage.
For more care information visit our comprehensive Indoor Gardening Guide.