African spear is an easy-to-grow, succulent herbaceous perennial native to Africa. It is a member of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It has a dramatic form with subcylindrical, spiky leaves that resemble D. trifasicata in the variegation . The epithet is Latin for "of Angola." Grow this plant in a well-drained potting mix (one specific for cacti and succulents is good) and water only about every 2 weeks in summer and monthly in winter. Place it in a brightly lit window. If taken outdoors in the summer, only give it morning sun to avoid sunburn. Bring it indoors when the temperature falls below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The leaves grow from a rosette and are 1 inch wide and up to 7 feet tall with longitudinal stripes. It will occasionally bloom in a container. The plants are often sold as rooted leaf cuttings, sometimes with three or more leaves braided together or sometimes with their tips dipped in paint. These leaves will live for a long time. Eventually, new plants will arise for the base of the leaf cuttings. More information on Dracaena .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry | Very Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 7 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf feel
Fleshy; Leathery
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Striped gray-green subcylindrical leaves 1" in diameter and up to 7 feet long growing from a basal rosette.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
1-inch fragrant white tubular flowers are tinged pink and grow up an erect raceme in summer. They have 6 linear lobes curled backward with long, white stamens extending well beyond the lobes. Flowers are arranged in a whorled pattern along the inflorescence.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fleshy red berry-type fruit when mature
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Africa
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Houseplants
Design feature
Accent; Specimen
Garden tags
#houseplant #easy to grow #interiorscape #problem for dogs #problem for cats #succulent #drought tolerant #problem for children #poisonous if ingested #fpp #th-touch
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
Resistant to
Drought; Dry Soil; Heat; Humidity; Poor Soil
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice; Stems
Poison symptoms
Toxic if ingested by cats and dogs: dilated pupils, vomiting, stomach upset, abdominal pain, drooling, weakness, depression. Keep this plant away from pets and children. Humans should not ingest this plant. Skin irritation can occur from the plant sap.