Dracaena marginata commonly called Red-edge Dracaena or Madagascar dragon tree, and can grow to 15 feet in height, supported by a long, slender truck or “cane” and it is also one of the top indoor plants.

Its foliage is a near vertical to horizontal mass of narrow pointed green leaves with red to purple stripes along the outer edge. As new leaves emerge from the top, the mature leaves on the bottom drop away.

The Dracaena marginata canes can be grown straight to produce a tall plant with a compact “footprint” or be trained to curve, creating unique character plants. Several Dracaena canes are generally planted in each pot, often of varying lengths to produce a “fuller” specimen.

Dracaenas have wide leaves that do accumulate dust. Wipe leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust. Although most Dracaenas have few problems with pest, occasionally mealy bug and scale can attack the plant.

Dracaena can get pest like the mealy bug, spider mites and scale! Homeowners have few safe choices… until now! Click here to read the latest article on an easy, safe, natural solution for Dracaena pests!

The temperature requirements for Dracaena marginata is a comfortable 75 degrees and the water requirements are low. Dracaenas are one of the plants used in the NASA Clean Air Study and has shown to help remove Formaldehyde.

Contact your local garden professional for information on treating your tropicals for pest and for care information check out the Dracaena Care Guide.

The very popular Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ is more commonly known as the Corn Plant. It does well in low light conditions and its wide leaves are long and arc gracefully from the stalk.

Fragrans can be either grown as a low shrub form, by rooting tip cuttings, or a tree form, by rooting mature canes.

The ‘Massangeana” variety is the most popular, due to its dramatic yellow variegation running down the center of its leaves.

The temperature requirements for fragrans is a comfortable 75 degrees and the water requirements are low. Dracaenas are one of the plants used in the NASA Clean Air Study and has shown to help remove Formaldehyde.

Dracaenas have wide leaves that do accumulate dust. Wipe leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust. Although most Dracaenas have few problems with pest, occasionally mealy bug and scale can attack the plant.

Contact your local garden professional for information on treating your tropicals for pest and for care information check out this Dracaena Care Guide.

Name: Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’

Dracaena Warneckii is also called Striped dracaena, this plant has some similarity to “Janet Craig” as it is a medium sized shrub. Its foliage is narrower than “Janet Craig” and comes to a sharper point, with distinctive white stripes running lengthwise in the leafs center.

Dracaena deremensis Warneckii “Jumbo” is slightly more compact with wider leaves and Dracaena deremensis Warneckii “Lemon Lime” has dramatic green stripes on its foliage.

Dracaena can get pest like the mealy bug, spider mites and scale! Homeowners have few safe choices… until now! Click here to read our latest article on an easy, safe, natural solution for Dracaena pests!

The temperature requirements for Warneckii is a comfortable 75 degrees and the water requirements are low. Dracaenas are one of the plants used in the NASA Clean Air Study and has shown to help remove Formaldehyde.

Dracaenas have wide leaves that do accumulate dust. Wipe leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust. Although most Dracaenas have few problems with pest, occasionally mealy bug and scale can attack the plant.

If you’re ready to discover the inside scope on Dracaena care check out this special Dracaena care guide. Grab the special care guide on Dracaeas today.

Name: Dracaena ‘Rikki’

Dracaena Rikki is a relatively new Dracaena for interior use.

Rikki features deep rich green leaves with highlighted yellow bands in the center running the length of the leaf.

Rikki is open and aesthetically pleasing with a color pattern that provides an interesting alternative choice to other Dracaena varieties such as Dracaena Janet Craig, Dracaena Warneckii, and Dracaena Gold Star.

It’s difficult to find many plants that are colorful and maintain their color when placed indoors under lower light conditions. That’s one of the excellent qualities that Dracaena ‘Rikki’ exhibits. Interior plantscapers are giving this new variety very impressive reviews.

The temperature requirements for Rikki is a comfortable 75 degrees and the water requirements are low. Dracaenas are one of the plants used in the NASA Clean Air Study and has shown to help remove Formaldehyde.

Dracaenas have wide leaves that do accumulate dust. Wipe leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust. Although most Dracaenas have few problems with pest, occasionally mealy bug and scale can attack the plant.

Contact your local garden professional for information on treating your tropicals for pest.

Name: Dracaena reflexa

You might know this plant by its common names Pleomele or Maylasian draceana. This plant can be grown as a small bush, or, left to its own devices outdoors in a subtropical climate, a tree reaching over 30 feet in height. It has short, thick, pointed leaves.

The reflexa has dark green foliage while Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of Jamaica’ is variegated with off white to yellow-beige colored stripes and Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of India’ boasts a bright yellow variegation.

The temperature requirements for reflexa is a comfortable 75 degrees and the water requirements are low. Dracaenas are one of the plants used in the NASA Clean Air Study and has shown to help remove Formaldehyde.

Dracaenas have wide leaves that do accumulate dust. Wipe leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust. Although most Dracaenas have few problems with pest, occasionally mealy bug and scale can attack the plant.

Mealy Bug on Your Dracaena?

Dracaena can get pest like the mealy bug, spider mites and scale! Homeowners have few safe choices… until now! Click here to read our latest article on an easy, safe, natural solution for Dracaena pests!

Ready to learn the inside secrets of Dracaena care? Check out this special care guide.

Is Your Home Sick – Could an Energy Efficient Home Hurt You?

Ever heard the term “Sick Building Syndrome”? It’s defined as an “acute incidence of indoor air pollution that can occur in closed or poorly ventilated offices and residences“.

Numerous studies conducted by the EPA over the last 25 years have shown measurable levels of over 107 known cancer causing agents in modern homes and offices. The presence of these VOC’s (volitile organic compounds) are due to the switch from open windows to energy efficient living and working environments. This occurred in the 1970′s due to the energy crisis that had developed.

Modern building methods and products, results in energy efficient homes and offices containing amounts of known cancer causing chemicals. In extreme cases, buildings with high levels of contaminants are known as “Sick Buildings.” Exposure can result in multiple symptoms of sickness exhibited by the inhabitants who try to use them.

Scientists and doctors can’t say yet but are concerned of the unknown effects to humans from long term low dosage exposure and contact to these cancer causing VOC’s found in modern homes and offices today. Will increased incidences of cancer be the result of this exposure?

NASA research suggest indoor house and office plants (four of the top 10 plants were Dracaenas) may reduce substantially the amount of exposure to common VOC’s you experience in your daily routine. The NASA research and the increasing amount of corroborating research indicates the benefits of live plants in modern environments to help improve indoor air quality in any building.

For example the chemical Trichloroethylene or (TCE) is used in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives. In 1975 the National Cancer Institute reported an unusually high incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas was observed in mice given TCE by gastric intubation. The chemical TCE is now considered a potent liver carcinogen.

Look around your home or office; new desk, carpets and other items can help in making you “sick”. Dracaenas and other plants may prove to be one of the answers to assist you in feeling better.

Name: Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’

Janet Craig is one of the most popular Draceanas used indoors, likely due to it’s ability to grow in low light and tolerate considerable dryness.

It is a medium sized Draceana, usually planted with 3 to 5 stalks per pot. It’s leaves are dark green, approximately 2 feet in length and about 3 inches wide, and cascade downward gently from the stalk.

The “Compacta” variety is, like its name suggests, is a compact smaller version, growing about only 1 foot tall with small leaves tight to the stalk.

The temperature requirements for Janet Craig is a comfortable 75 degrees and the water requirements are low. Dracaenas are one of the plants used in the NASA Clean Air Study and has shown to help remove Formaldehyde.

The wide leaves on Dracaenas can and do accumulate dust. Wipe leaves down regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust. Although most Dracaenas have few problems with pest, occasionally mealy bug and scale can attack the plant.

If you’re ready to discover the inside scope on Dracaena care check out this special Dracaena care guide. Grab this special care guide on Dracaeas today.

Plant pests is a part of growing plants… I handle the problem in a safe, natural way! Homeowners have few options to choose from … until now!

Neem Oil A Safe, Natural Option!

Neem oil comes from the pressed seed of the neem tree – Azadiracta indica Juss – to be exact. It’s been used for medicinal purposes and pest control for thousands of years. It’s used as an: antispectic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antifungal. Insects would rather die… than feed on plants treated with neem.

Is It Safe?

Neem products are consumed by humans and used in medication. If fact, there are no EPA restrictions in place for neem oil.

Growers using neem oil in their “pest control” program like the safety and control of this natural solution. Nurseries find neem oil is effective as a insecticide, miticide and fungicide. In fact, Schultz now has 3-1 Garden Safe product made from Neem. I picked up a bottle at Home Depot for about $7.00.

When I spray my Ficus I completely spray the plant and potting media.It has shown success in fighting plant fungus and also root rot.

Neem looks like a SAFE, NATURAL solution for homeowners with any type of houseplant pest problems including Ficus. Give it a try!