Dracaena godseffiana 'Silver'

Dracaena godseffiana 'Silver' is a tropical perennial plant in the Asparagaceae family, prized for its decorative silver-variegated foliage. Originally from West Africa, this cultivar stands out for its compact appearance and variegated leaves, making it ideal as an indoor plant for apartments, offices or modern decors. Unlike other dracaenas, it has a bushy rather than elongated habit.

Appearance of leaves, flowers and fruits

• Leaves : The leaves are oval, 5-10 cm long, arranged in a spiral on thin stems, dark green, with irregular silver or creamy-white lines. The texture is glossy, and the variegation gives a shiny visual effect, similar to silver dust. The foliage is dense and remains attractive throughout the year.
• Flowers : Flowers are rare indoors, but when they do appear, they are small, white or greenish, clustered in inflorescences, with a subtle fragrance. Flowering is more frequent under optimal light and humidity conditions.
• Fruits : It produces small, red-orange fruits in the form of berries, but these are extremely rare in culture and have no ornamental value.

Growth characteristics

• Height and width : Reaches 30-60 cm tall and 30-45 cm wide, forming a compact, branched shrub.
• Vigor : Slow growing, ideal for small spaces. Develops thin stems, which can become slightly woody at the base.
• Type : Evergreen perennial plant, grown as an indoor plant.

Growing conditions

• Exposure : Prefers bright indirect light, ideally near an east or west facing window. Tolerates low light, but variegation becomes less intense. Avoid direct light, which can burn the leaves.
• Soil : Grow in well-drained, peat-based substrate with perlite or sand (e.g. potting mix). Pots should have drainage holes.
• Watering : Water moderately, once every 7-10 days, letting the substrate dry out in the first 2-3 cm between waterings. Avoid excess water, which causes root rot.
• Temperature : Hardy in zones 10-12 (down to 10°C), prefers temperatures of 18-24°C. Avoid cold drafts or temperatures below 15°C. Suitable as an indoor plant in Romania.
• Humidity : Tolerates average home humidity (40-50%), but appreciates higher humidity (60-70%). Mist the leaves occasionally or use a humidifier.

Care and resistance

• Hardiness : Tolerant of indoor conditions, but sensitive to excess water and direct light. May attract mites or mealybugs; inspect regularly and treat with insecticidal soap. Tolerates occasional neglect well.
• Fertilization : Apply a liquid green plant fertilizer (e.g. diluted 10-10-10) once a month in spring and summer. Suspend fertilization in winter.
• Pruning : Cut off any dry or damaged leaves at the base. To maintain a compact shape, pinch off the tips of long stems. The cut stems can be used for propagation.
• Propagation : Propagate by stem or tip cuttings, planted in moist substrate, at 20-24°C. Cutting is simple and effective.

Dracaena godseffiana 'Silver' is ideal as an indoor plant, decorating windowsills, desks or tables. The variegated foliage, with silver spots, adds brightness to spaces, combining well with other tropical plants, such as pothos or sansevieria. It is suitable for modern, minimalist decors or spaces with low light. It can be used in decorative pots or as an accent plant.

Origin

Native to West Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone), Dracaena godseffiana grows naturally in shady tropical forests. The cultivar 'Silver' was selected for its silvery variegation, becoming popular in indoor horticulture due to its decorative appearance and adaptability.

Height with pot included: 25-35 cm
Pot diameter: 12 cm