Dracaena Plants Are the New Fiddle Leaf Figs—And You Can't Kill Them, Either

Chances are, you love the idea of having a tall, eye-catching plant like a fiddle leaf fig, but you hate the idea of trying to keep it alive. While fiddle leaf figs can be tricky to take care of (though not impossible!), there are other plant options out there that will provide you with the same dramatic effect, without being quite as finicky. One such plant is Dracaena, which has been popping up everywhere and looks just as cool in any space.

Dracaena marginata (AKA dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia, or the Madagascar Dragon Tree) is actually a member of the asparagus family—not hard to believe when you consider it has thick stems that can grow quite tall and thin, spiky leaves that jut out from the top, not unlike something out of a Dr. Seuss book (and I mean that in the best way possible!). But it's not just their unique look and potential to grow quite tall that have made dracaena plants so popular, it's also the fact that they're pretty hard to kill.

According to Bloomscape, dracaena marginata can handle low light, even though the plants prefer medium indirect light. And they also don't like to be overwatered, so as long as you're not too generous with the watering can, you should be fine. Plus, if your dracaena starts to look a little off, it's easy to tell what you're doing wrong based on the leaves—you just have to know what to look out for.

Brown spots, for instance, mean your plant is getting too much light, while yellow spots can indicate that your plant needs more water. If your dracaena's leaves start to turn brown at the edges, you're likely overwatering (or, it could be because your water isn't filtered enough for the plant). And if you find the leaves are pale, small, and growing slowly, your plant needs a little more light to thrive. Beyond that, dracaenas appreciate some regular misting and prefer temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Simple, right?

One thing to note: The ASPCA lists both fiddle leaf figs and dracaena plants as toxic to both cats and dogs, so if you're a pet owner, you might want to consider a different plant, or place your new Dracaena somewhere they can't get to it. You can also find a list of pet-friendly plants here (hello, parlor palms!).

Types of Dracaena Plants

Dracaena fragrans
Dracaena deremensis
Dracaena marginata
Dracaena sanderiana
Cordyline fruticosa
Cordyline australis

Dracaena Growing Conditions

Light: Light shade is ideal for Dracaena plants.

Water: You should regularly water Dracaena.

Temperature: Dracaena typically prefer temperatures of 65ºF or higher.

Soil: Make sure your Dracaena have well-drained, rich soil.

Fertilizer: During the summer months, feed your Dracaena weekly or biweekly.

Dracaena Gardening Tips

Fortunately, Dracaena are typically not very complicated, as they thrive in most conditions. The one exception is the D. Draco plant, which needs to have moist soil year-round. The most common problem for Dracaena is having too much water in their soil, so be sure to avoid overdoing this step.