Dracaena reflexa 'Song of India' syn. Pleomele reflexa
Reflexed Dracaena, Pleomele
Reflexed Dracaena, Pleomele
Type Tree, shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 10B to 11
Height 5' to 8' / 1.60m to 2.40m
Spread 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m
Growth rate Slow
Form Oval and upright or erect
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Evergreen
Hardy range 10B to 11
Height 5' to 8' / 1.60m to 2.40m
Spread 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m
Growth rate Slow
Form Oval and upright or erect
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Evergreen
Bloom Color White
Bloom Time Summer
Bloom Time Summer
Environment
This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in very dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in very dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
Leaf Color Green, variegated and yellow
Fall Color No change in fall color
This plant has attractive foliage.
Fall Color No change in fall color
This plant has attractive foliage.
Culture Notes
This irregularly-shaped, tall growing Dracaena nearly grows into a tree. Specimens 15 to 20 feet tall are known to occur in protected landscapes and inside buildings. Leaves are unmistakably darker green than most other plants. They are arranged alternately around the thick stems.
Best growth is in partial sun outdoors or direct light indoors. Drought tolerance is good, making it well suited for the non-irrigated landscape. Keep the plant away from direct coastal exposure since it is sensitive to salt spray. Reflexed Dracaena is not for every outdoor tropical landscape due to its unusual form. It is most often used as an interiorscape plant in malls and homes. Despite the irregular growth habit, it is probably best suited for the formal landscape. The foliage of 'Song of India' has broad yellow margins.
Pollen is not considered a source of allergens. Dracaena plants have been used to demonstrate that plants can clean up indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and benzene.
Planting and establishing shrubs
The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.
This irregularly-shaped, tall growing Dracaena nearly grows into a tree. Specimens 15 to 20 feet tall are known to occur in protected landscapes and inside buildings. Leaves are unmistakably darker green than most other plants. They are arranged alternately around the thick stems.
Best growth is in partial sun outdoors or direct light indoors. Drought tolerance is good, making it well suited for the non-irrigated landscape. Keep the plant away from direct coastal exposure since it is sensitive to salt spray. Reflexed Dracaena is not for every outdoor tropical landscape due to its unusual form. It is most often used as an interiorscape plant in malls and homes. Despite the irregular growth habit, it is probably best suited for the formal landscape. The foliage of 'Song of India' has broad yellow margins.
Pollen is not considered a source of allergens. Dracaena plants have been used to demonstrate that plants can clean up indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and benzene.
Planting and establishing shrubs
The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.
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