Dracaena ‘White Stripe’ is a popular houseplant, valued for its striking appearance and relatively straightforward care. Its distinctive foliage features long, slender leaves with prominent white or creamy stripes, creating a visual contrast against the dark green.
Identifying Dracaena White Stripe
The Dracaena ‘White Stripe’, often known as Dracaena deremensis ‘White Stripe’, exhibits a unique growth habit. Its leaves are long and arch gracefully, often reaching 12 to 18 inches. The defining characteristic is a bright white or creamy stripe that runs down the center of each leaf, sharply contrasting with the deep green margins. Indoors, this plant grows upright, forming a bushy, cane-like appearance and reaching a mature height of 3 to 6 feet.
Caring for Your Dracaena White Stripe
Light
Dracaena ‘White Stripe’ thrives in bright, indirect light. A north or east-facing window is ideal, providing ample illumination without harsh direct sun. Too much direct sunlight can scorch leaves, causing brown, crispy patches on the white stripes and green areas. Insufficient light may fade the white variegation, and the plant might become leggy as it stretches towards a light source.
Watering
Allow the top one to two inches of soil to dry completely before watering again. Overwatering leads to root rot, manifesting as yellowing lower leaves and plant decline. Underwatering results in brown, crispy leaf tips and drooping foliage. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining soil mix prevents water from sitting around the roots. A peat-based potting mix amended with perlite or coarse sand enhances drainage and aeration. Choose a pot with at least one drainage hole. This allows excess water to escape, protecting roots from fungal issues and rot.
Temperature and Humidity
Dracaena ‘White Stripe’ prefers average room temperatures, 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). It tolerates typical household humidity, but dry environments contribute to brown leaf tips. To increase humidity, place the plant on a pebble tray filled with water, ensuring the pot does not sit directly in the water. Grouping plants or using a small room humidifier also provides a consistent humid environment.
Fertilization
During the active growing season (spring and summer), fertilize once a month. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half the recommended strength. Avoid fertilizing during dormant fall and winter months, as the plant’s growth slows. Over-fertilization can lead to salt buildup in the soil, causing leaf tip burn or plant stress.
Common Issues and Solutions
Leaf Problems
Browning leaf tips often indicate low humidity, fluoride sensitivity in tap water, or inconsistent watering. Use filtered or distilled water if fluoride is suspected; increase ambient humidity to alleviate dryness. Yellowing leaves, especially lower ones, point to overwatering or, less commonly, a nutrient deficiency. Drooping leaves signal underwatering, indicating the plant needs a thorough drink.
Pests
Dracaena ‘White Stripe’ can encounter common houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Spider mites manifest as fine webbing on leaf undersides and tiny yellow stippling on foliage. Mealybugs appear as small, white, cottony masses in leaf axils and along stems. Scale insects are small, immobile bumps, brown or black, found on stems and leaves. Treat these pests by wiping them away with a damp cloth or applying insecticidal soap.
Propagation and Repotting
Propagation
Propagate Dracaena ‘White Stripe’ through stem cuttings. Take a cutting several inches long with at least one node. Place it in a glass of water, changing the water every few days until roots develop. Alternatively, plant the cutting directly into a moist, well-draining potting mix; root growth often occurs within several weeks.
Repotting
Repotting is needed every two to three years, or when the plant becomes root-bound. Select a new container one or two inches larger than the current one. Carefully remove the plant, loosen any circling roots, and place it in the new pot with fresh potting mix. This refreshes the soil and provides more space for root development.