Dracaena sanderiana

Dracaena sanderiana
	In cultivation
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Subfamily:	Nolinoideae
Genus:	Dracaena
Species:	D. sanderiana
Binomial name
	Dracaena sanderiana; Mast.
Synonyms
	Pleomele sanderiana (Mast.) N.E.Br.; Dracaena poggei Engl.; Dracaena vanderystii De Wild.; Pleomele poggei (Engl.) N.E.Br.;

Dracaena sanderiana is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Central Africa.^[3] It was named after the German–English gardener Henry Frederick Conrad Sander (1847–1920). The plant is commonly marketed as "lucky bamboo"; this term has become one of its common names.

Names

Common names include Sander's dracaena, ribbon dracaena, lucky bamboo, curly bamboo, Chinese water bamboo, Goddess of Mercy's plant, Belgian evergreen.^[4] It is also called ribbon plant, although the same common name is sometimes used for Chlorophytum comosum (also known as the spider plant). While the word bamboo occurs in several of this plant's common names, D. sanderiana is of an entirely different taxonomic order from true bamboos – though it is worth noting that this plant and true bamboos both fall under the monocot clade. Despite several of its common names that suggest it is from China or Belgium, it is a native African species. Dracaena sanderiana is often confused with Dracaena braunii, a plant from coastal West Africa with flowers 5 times shorter than those of D. sanderiana.^[3]

Description

A perennial herb reaching a height of 100 cm (39 in), the plant has slightly twisted leaves of grey-green colour, with a length of which is up to 23 cm (9 in). The stem is fleshy, which distinguishes it from bamboo. It requires bright, ventilated areas. It tolerates dry air and does not require constant spraying. A very tenacious plant, it is rather difficult to destroy.

When it comes to light, lucky bamboo prefers bright, filtered sunlight, such as what is found under a rainforest canopy. Avoid direct sunlight as it will scorch the leaves.^[5]

Cultivation

Dracaena sanderiana and its related varieties are popular houseplants. It is a suitable plant in a confined space, and the most suitable place is a scattered light or semi-shade site because direct sunlight causes yellowing and burning of leaves. Ideal temperature ranges from 15 to 22 °C (59 to 72 °F). It requires average warmth, good illumination, regular watering with dry periods in between. If planted in the ground, it loses its bamboo-like look and it would fill with a leaf-like shape like other dragon trees.

It is multiplied by cutting a part of the stem just above the eye. Cuttings can be made year round.