Gold dust dracena is a slow-growing, evergreen perennial or herbaceous perennial in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family. It is native to western tropical Africa and is known for its stunning variegated foliage and tropical look. The species epithet, surculosa, is Latin for branching and refers to the growth habit of this species. This easy-to-grow houseplant requires bright but not direct light. The leaves will brown or drop if the light is too high, and they can lose their intense coloring if the light is too low. Keep the soil moist during the regular growing season, but overwatering and standing water will cause root rot. Protect the plant from drafts and keep the humidity high by sitting the pot on a pebble tray with water. Cut back overgrown stems in the winter to rejuvenate the plant and to keep the plant at the desired height. Do not plant in a pot that is too large, as its roots like to be snug. Thin upright branches, which occasionally hang down, produce leaves that are dark green with spots of cream or yellow. New leaves appear as tightly rolled cones. It may be propagated using a tip or stem cutting of a few leaves or by division. Gold dust dracaena can be grown outdoors in a container on a patio in the summer, but remember to bring it inside when the temperature goes below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The spots of yellow add brightness and interest to any interiorscape. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Root mealybugs can stunt growth. 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) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Cream/Tan; Green; Variegated; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite; Whorled
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
3-inch opposite or whorled leaves are glossy dark green with spots of creamy yellow. New leaves appear as tightly rolled cones
Flower color
Green; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
2.5-3-inch umble inflorescence with greenish-white tubular flowers, pleasantly fragrant during the night. Flowers have 6 petals that bend backwards, 6 showy anthers and a style that stick out like fireworks from the center of the flowers. Flowers are rare when grown as a house plant.
Fruit color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
Round orange-red berries about 1/2" diameter. Fruits are rare when grown as a house plant.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Wiry upright thin brown stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
West Tropical Africa
Distribution
Native to Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants; Patio
Garden tags
#houseplant #evergreen #white flowers #poisonous #showy leaves #problem for dogs #problem for cats #tropical feel #container plant #shade garden #interiorscape #easy to grow #easy to grow houseplant #orange fruits #slow growing #fragrant flowers #glossy leaves #spotted leaves #variegated #poisonous if ingested