Plant Care Song of India

Song of India

4.5 out of 5 (80 experiences)

Song of India has a Survivor plant personality Survivor
Song of India has a Fast grower plant personality 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

Water needs for Song of India
0.5 cups
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.

Calculate water needs of Song of India

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Song of India in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Song of India: 6ft from a window
6ft or less from
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

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Song of India: repot after 2X growth

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
⭐ Difficulty Level

Song of India is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing Song of India →

Common Song of India Problems →


💦 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.

Song of India Water Frequency →


☀️ 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 🏡.

Song of India Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 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.

Song of India Toxicity to Cats →

Song of India Toxicity to Dogs →

Song of India Toxicity to Humans →


💨 Humidity

Song of India enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.

Song of India Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Song of India is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Song of India →


💩 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!

How Much and When to Fertilize Song of India →


❄️ 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 Africa to Southern Asia and Australia.


🌸 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.

Song of India Temperature Tolerance →


🌱 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.

How to Propagate Song of India →


🍂 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!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Song of India

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

Song of India has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 53
Song of India has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 25
Song of India has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 16
Song of India has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 14
Song of India has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 7
Song of India has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 4
Song of India has a Pest magnet plant personality Pest magnet 1
@_jordan_ avatar
@@_jordan_
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 313 XP
globe Seaside, CA
04/02/2022

I have had this plant for almost a year now! And it has survived everywhere I put it and feed it water. I would recommend it to a beginner/ new plant parent the only thing that has been a little hard to manage was tops growing but other than that she is living and thriving!!

Browns easily Browns easily
Survivor Survivor
Den avatar
@Den
leaf-1 3 Plants
xp 201 XP
globe Knowle, England
01/21/2022

Excellent insight into managing to keep plants healthy.

Cheryl avatar
@Cheryl
leaf-1 21 Plants
xp 1,303 XP
01/14/2022

Slow growing can’t wait till it big it is very cold here it is winter I’m in mountains

Survivor Survivor
@R_L15748 avatar
@@R_L15748
leaf-1 84 Plants
xp 16,389 XP
12/12/2021

More of the gang

Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Fast grower Fast grower
Blooms easily Blooms easily
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Browns easily Browns easily
Tammie avatar
@Tammie
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 65 XP
globe Lewisville, NC
12/04/2021

Beautiful long maintenance plant .

Fast grower Fast grower
Terry avatar
@Terry
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 103 XP
globe San Diego, CA
11/11/2021

I just got it last week and the leaves in the bottom are falling is that normal?

Fast grower Fast grower
Terry avatar
@Terry
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 103 XP
globe San Diego, CA
11/11/2021

For personal reasons I pretty much ignored my plants for months and this one survived

Survivor Survivor
@RinnyK avatar
@@RinnyK
leaf-1 24 Plants
xp 1,713 XP
globe Round Hill, VA
11/02/2021

Easy to care for. We hit a rough patch of no growth but changing the water (we used tap and have switched to distilled) has made all the difference. We’ve got new leaves!

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Fast grower Fast grower
@Morganavery avatar
@@Morganavery
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 142 XP
globe Cadillac, MI
10/30/2021

I LOVE HER SHES SO PRETTY

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@eskimo avatar
@@eskimo
leaf-1 9 Plants
xp 427 XP
globe Monterrey, Nuevo León
10/24/2021

She does alright quite far from the window so longs sshe gets indirect light

Survivor Survivor
Melissa avatar
@Melissa
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 183 XP
globe Bexhill, England
09/25/2021

Very easy to keep and manage if your not great with plants

Survivor Survivor
Hootie hoot avatar
@Hootie hoot
leaf-1 25 Plants
xp 531 XP
globe Westerville, OH
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 Survivor
@Sebjefford avatar
@@Sebjefford
leaf-1 44 Plants
xp 3,206 XP
globe Cardiff, Wales
09/08/2021

Very hardy plant. Bit of watering and good sun it’ll keep on growing.

Survivor Survivor
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Yvette avatar
@Yvette
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 120 XP
09/06/2021

I love the details you want to water it

@hopewrld avatar
@@hopewrld
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 133 XP
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 Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@Cassidhe avatar
@@Cassidhe
leaf-1 19 Plants
xp 545 XP
globe Auburn, IN
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 Fast grower
Blooms easily Blooms easily
Survivor Survivor
@Cassidhe avatar
@@Cassidhe
leaf-1 19 Plants
xp 545 XP
globe Auburn, IN
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 Browns easily
Pest magnet Pest magnet
@aurelie avatar
@@aurelie
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 312 XP
globe Saint-Eustache, Québec
08/29/2021

loveee

Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor

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