Song of India
4.4 out of 5 (54 experiences)
Survivor
Fast grower
About Song of India
Dracaena reflexa is a popular houseplant choice, as they are fairly low maintenance and have bright, colorful foliage. In their native habitat of southeast Africa these usually compact houseplants grow enormously, reaching heights of over 20 feet. Communities in Madagascar use this plant as a reported cure for a variety of ailments from malaria to dysentery. 🤒
Taxonomy
Dracaena reflexa
Dracaena
Asparagaceae
Asparagales
Also known as
Song of Jamaica and Dragon Tree
How to care for Song of India
Water
How often to water your Song of India
every 12
Song of India needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12
Light
Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
Select a city to check sunlight intensity
Finding light for Song of India in your home
a window
Song of India can tolerate being far from a window and light source.
Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Song of India in your home 🏡.
Nutrients
How to fertilize Song of India
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Song of India after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
FAQs
Song of India is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Water Needs
Song of India thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Song of India can tolerate being far from a window and light source. Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Song of India is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Humidity
Song of India doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Soil
Song of India does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Song of India grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
It’s common for Song of India to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Native Region
Song of India is native to Western Africa.
Flowers
Yes, you may see your Song of India bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
Growth Pattern
Song of India grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Song of India can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 11a-12a. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Song of India can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Song of India, since they are very sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Song of India
Song of India
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 12 days
Placement
< 6ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Survivor 35
Fast grower 14
Large, lush leaves 10
Browns easily 9
Pet friendly 6
Easy to propagate 4
Blooms easily 2
Pest magnet 1
10/24/2021
She does alright quite far from the window so longs sshe gets indirect light
Survivor
09/25/2021
Very easy to keep and manage if your not great with plants
Pet friendly
Survivor
09/18/2021
Beautiful and unique colors
09/18/2021
This plant was left by the previous owner when we bought our house. And I hate to admit it but I forgot we had this plant (it was upstairs) and did not water it for MONTHS. But this guy was still kicking (although he lost a lot of leaves). I pruned him up and am taking proper care of him now and he is thriving. Definitely recommend for forgetful waterers. This plant has been one of the most forgiving plant I’ve ever owned.
Survivor
09/15/2021
very cute
09/08/2021
Very hardy plant. Bit of watering and good sun it’ll keep on growing.
Survivor
Large, lush leaves
09/06/2021
I love the details you want to water it
09/06/2021
They grow pretty big and look lovely in spaces with lots of sunlight. I'd recommend finding a bigger pot as they grow bigger which they do quickly.
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
09/05/2021
I brought this plant back from nearly dead. Repotted it and cut the top dead stuff off and the new growth appeared within a week or two.
Fast grower
Blooms easily
Survivor
08/30/2021
Maybe I’m doing something wrong, but immune grows so slow. The leaves always have brown spots on them too. I get those pesky white bugs too
Browns easily
Pest magnet
08/29/2021
loveee
Fast grower
Survivor
08/28/2021
Blends well with others.
Fast grower
Pet friendly
08/11/2021
I love this plant but it grows slow and looses lots of leaves if not in a super hot environment
Browns easily
08/08/2021
Very little maintenance
07/30/2021
Beautiful and lively. I’m enjoying being a new plant Mom
Blooms easily
Fast grower
Survivor
06/13/2021
Love
Large, lush leaves
06/10/2021
love this plant he lives through everything and is very healthy
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
06/05/2021
Likes to be cozy in small pots
05/10/2021
Not a bad plant! I transplanted it a tad early into a bigger pot and for 1 whole year I saw no growth😳… it was almost shocked into dying…. but! With a decent Flowering- 5000K Purple LED grow light within a matter of weeks it started coming around! Water every week Down to the roots and it will soon be a nice addition to your plant collection.
Survivor
05/02/2021
Good plant
Large, lush leaves
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
Pet friendly
Survivor
