BarryII
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Dracaenas at Home Depot

I'm thinking of getting a dracaena at Home Depot. They're about two feet high but I have to choose between two varieties. One has three tightly braided trunks (or stems or whatever) and has thin, dark green leaves with a different color around the edges. The other has just one trunk with lighter green leaves of a uniform color and just as thin, with just as many leaves as the triple braided ones.

I noticed that they also sell larger ones, but those are all the darker variety with the different colored edges. I wonder if the lighter green ones don't get that tall.

Anyone know the difference between these two varieties?

BarryII
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The good thing about shopping for plants in Home Depot is you could go home to research a plant and it doesn't matter if you can't find the answer because they'll be sold out anyway. There's a small chance it was a yucca but it was probably a dracaena.

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Kisal
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Perhaps Dracena marginata and/or Dracena marginata tricolor?

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vintagejuls
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Hi BarryII,

If it had a braided trunk, it was most likely a dracaena. Dracaena is the family name and there are several different varieties. I think you're referring the thin leafed type.

This is a great plant for a container in the house or outside under a patio cover with absolutely no direct sun; it prefers direct light but not direct sun. Are you wanting to have one for indoors? I have seen them in different colors - the varigated green, red and cream color, and the solid green with a red edge. Height and color are not related. Both can grow from 2 feet to 20 ft depending upon conditions and environment.

Please note that cats love to chew on the leaves. I have experienced this with each cat I've owned and my friends have too.

BarryII
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I ended up buying a small Dracaena Marginata Bi-Color. It's one of my least favorite plants at this size, but I like that it cleans the air and I like the look when the stalk grows.

The stake says "Collect all 400 Exotic Angel varieties from around the globe. Yeah, right...

The Helpful Gardener
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Yeah, Angel Plants sells a lot to HD...

D. marginata is the best call for lower light situations; the far side of a bright room is just right for that plant. 'Bi-Color' might want a bit more light as it has a bit less chlorophyll... Needs less water than other Dracaenas too...

HG

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bonsaiboy
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I have what I believe to be the same type of Dracaena. Their ability to go without water is beyond that of some succulents. a large one can easily go a month with no water (or it can if I remember right. I'm not sure, so don't try it).

BarryII
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The plant that looked like a Dracaena but didn't have marginated leaves might have been a Cordyline australis. I read that Cordyline australis are mislabeled sometimes.



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