Dracaena's tall, strappy leaves and sculptural trunk make it a favorite office and living-room plant, prized for tolerating the exact conditions — low light, irregular watering — that doom fussier houseplants.
Native to tropical Africa and Asia, dracaena includes popular varieties like the "corn plant" and "dragon tree," commonly grown as an easygoing floor plant that adds height and structure to any indoor space.
Dracaena tolerates low to bright indirect light and prefers to dry out somewhat between waterings. It's sensitive to the fluoride in some tap water, which can cause brown leaf tips — using filtered or rain water helps keep foliage looking its best.
Dracaena was one of the plants studied in NASA's Clean Air Study for its ability to filter common indoor toxins, making it as functional as it is decorative.
