Dracaena
Dracaena fragrans / Dracaena marginata / Dracaena deremensis — The Air-Cleaning Column
Light
Low to medium indirect. One of the best performers under fluorescent lighting.
Water
Every 2 weeks. Allow soil to dry partially between waterings. Sensitive to fluoride in tap water — use filtered water if possible.
Humidity
Tolerates low humidity. Brown leaf tips can indicate overly dry air — mist occasionally.
Temperature
16–27°C (60–80°F). Avoid cold drafts near exterior doors and HVAC vents.
Difficulty
Easy
Sizes
Mid-floor (60–90cm) · Floor (90–150cm) · Statement (150–200cm)
Dracaenas are a family of striking tropical plants native to Africa and Asia, known for their cane-like stems and long, strappy leaves in shades of green, red, and yellow. Their upright columnar form makes them one of the most space-efficient floor plants available.
In the Office
Dracaenas are a staple of commercial office design for good reason — they are tall, narrow, and unfussy, slotting into corners, beside columns, and along walls without encroaching on circulation space. Their air-purifying credentials are well-documented, and they thrive in the low-light, low-humidity conditions of most Toronto office buildings.
Why Choose This Plant
Benefits for Your Office
- Among the top NASA-tested air-purifying plants — removes trichloroethylene, benzene, and xylene
- Narrow, vertical growth habit fits in tight spaces without blocking sightlines
- Multiple varieties offer a range of aesthetics from bold red-edge (D. marginata) to lush tropical (D. fragrans)
- Extremely tolerant of low light — one of the best large floor plants for interior offices
Where to Place It
Office Placement Ideas
- 1
Office corners and beside columns — the vertical form fills dead space elegantly without obstructing pathways
- 2
Alongside glass partition walls — the columnar silhouette complements the geometry of modern office design
- 3
Interior offices and hallways without window access — genuinely one of the few tall plants that survives there
How to Care for It
Care Tips for Office Environments
- Use filtered or distilled water if your tap water is heavily chlorinated or fluoridated — dracaenas show fluoride toxicity as brown leaf tips
- Prune canes at any height to encourage branching — new growth will emerge just below the cut
- Repot every 2–3 years in spring; dracaenas prefer to be slightly root-bound rather than over-potted
Want Dracaena in your office?
Our team will recommend the right variety and size for your space, deliver and install it, and keep it thriving with ongoing care.