Fauna
Plant

Song of India

Dracaena reflexa

Also known as Pleomele, Reflexed Dracaena, Narrow-Leaved Pleomele

Song of India produces spirally arranged, lance-shaped leaves with striking yellow margins that arch gracefully along thick woody stems. In its native Indian Ocean coastal forests, this evergreen shrub grows into a multi-stemmed small tree bearing clusters of fragrant white blossoms that open at night. Widely cultivated around the globe, it serves as an air-purifying plant that thrives in warm, humid conditions with bright indirect light.

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Song of India reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic
Predators
  • Mealybugs
  • Spider mites
  • Scale insects
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation in native range, indoor pest infestations
HabitatsTropical evergreen forests, coastal thickets, indoor landscapes
Life span20–50 years
Classification
  1. OrderAsparagales
  2. FamilyAsparagaceae
  3. GenusDracaena
  4. SpeciesDracaena reflexa
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested; place out of reach of household pets.
Why it is dangerous
Leaves contain steric saponins that induce hypersalivation, vomiting, dilated pupils, and weakness in cats and dogs.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for lance-shaped leaves with broad golden-yellow margins spiraling tightly along woody stems.
What to do
Keep indoor pots elevated away from curious pets and promptly discard any fallen foliage.
Responsible observation
  • Light Needs: Place in bright, indirect sunlight to maintain the vibrant yellow leaf margins.
  • Watering: Allow the top few centimeters of soil to dry out completely between waterings.
  • Pruning: Cut back leggy stems to encourage bushier foliage and propagate from stem cuttings.
Related species
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