Dracaenas are a staple in nearly every interiorscaper’s collection. Their beautiful foliage, tall and narrow stance, and easy care have earned them a place in the proverbial interior plant hall of fame. There are so many Dracaena varieties from which to choose, with varying forms (stump, cane, bush, or tips), that it is easy to see why they are so popular!
When you want a tall plant with a narrow footprint, the cane form of these Dracaenas is a great option. When choosing between the solid green leafed varieties, here are some helpful hints to choose the right look for your design. With these easy tips, you will know which of some of the most common Dracaena canes with solid green leaves will fit the bill.
Dracaena deremensis ‘Lisa’™ cane and Dracaena deremensis ‘Elegans’ cane – Lisa canes come to the mainland from Hawaii and have long, slender leaves that arch up and form a beautiful downward curve. Their glossy leaves show a natural shine and sometimes have slight ridges the length of the leaf. The green color of the Lisa leaves is a deep, dark green, which really shows off the shine of the leaves! The Costa Rican version, the Dracaena deremensis ‘Elegans,’ is also a great option. They are typically less expensive than the Hawaiian variety and have a very similar look. Lisa canes generally come in 9”, 10”, 12”, 14” pots and Elegans canes can be found in 10”, 12”, 14”, and sometimes 17” pots.
Dracaena ‘Lind’ cane – What gives Lind canes away is the wavy leaves that point outward. The leaves stand more upright and straight, showing less of a curve than the foliage of Lisas. Lind canes are grown in 10”, 12”, and 14” pots. Lind is a relatively newer variety of Dracaena that comes in as a replacement for the Costaricana cane, but is much fuller and very durable.
Dracaena fragrans cane – Fragrans canes are like the Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ (Mass Cane or corn plant), but without the lighter colored variegated strip in the center of the leaves. Dracaena fragrans have the thick, tree-trunk-like canes from which the foliage heads sprout. Their long green leaves have a matte finish and are much wider than those of the Lisa, and do not have the same waviness like those of the Lind. Dracaena fragrans are most commonly grown in 10” and 14” pots.
Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’ cane – Janet Craig canes sport long, broad, arching leaves that are a shiny dark green. Because of their reliability and relatively inexpensive price tag, these remain a very popular choice. In cane form, these commonly come in 10”, 12”, 14”, and sometimes 17” pots. The cane of the Janet Craig canes is green in color and typically much skinnier compared to the thick, brown cane of the Dracaena fragrans cane.
Dracaena ‘Michiko’™ cane – Michiko canes are a patented variety grown in Hawaii. These have been around for many years and have thick leaves with a slight curl. The foliage is held tightly to the trunks and has an upright look. When these are available, they are a great option in 9”, 10”, and 12” pots.
Dracaena ‘JC Compacta’ cane – JC Compacta canes are easier to identify. These do not look like the other canes because the foliage is compact! They have short, compact, shiny leaves. JC Compacta canes commonly come in grow pots sizes 9”, 10”, 12”, and 14”. These typically come from Hawaii and prefer more light than the other Dracaenas mentioned above.
Dracaena ‘Green Jewel’ cane – These have a similar, but less-compact, look to the JC Compacta cane. Green Jewel canes are part of the Dragon Series, which are a more compact line of Dracaenas. These are not as common as other Dracaenas and are typically grown only in 10” and 12” pots.
When you need “tall” and “green” for your interiorscape design, these Dracaena canes can be a homerun! For a touch of color with that green, you can try some of these canes: Dracaena ‘Art’, Dracaena ‘Dorado’, and Dracaena ‘Hawaiian Sunshine’. For even MORE color, try going with Dracaena ‘Limelight’, Dracaena ‘Ulises’, or Dracaena ‘Warneckii’.
