Scientific Name
Dracaena 'Cleopatra'
Synonym(s)
Dracaena kirkii 'Cleopatra', Sansevieria 'Cleopatra', Sansevieria kirkii 'Cleopatra'
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Sansevieria
Origin
According to the Tangerang Sansevieria Club, Dracaena 'Cleopatra' is a hybrid created by Edianta Sebayang in Indonesia. It results from a cross between Dracaena 'Phupramorn Delight'—a hybrid created in Thailand from a cross between Dracaena 'Horwood' and Dracaena francisii—and Dracaena rhodesiana. Some sources also suggest Dracaena pearsonii as a possible parent in the cross. Additionally, this plant is sometimes sold as a cultivar of Dracaena kirkii.
Description
Dracaena 'Cleopatra', formerly known as Sansevieria 'Cleopatra', is a beautiful, slow-growing succulent that forms rosettes of leaves with an intricate pattern in dark and light green. It spreads through underground stems (rhizomes) that eventually push up through the soil, forming new rosettes. The leaves are thick, slightly arched with wavy margins, often with a fine reddish-brown or golden-yellow border.
Typically, during the spring or summer, Dracaena 'Cleopatra' produces an upright stalk with creamy white to pale yellow flowers. The flower stalk emerges from the center of the rosette.
How to Grow and Care for Dracaena 'Cleopatra'
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 10b to 11b: from 35°F (1.7°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Place Sansevierias in moderately bright or filtered light. Good locations include a spot in front of a north-facing window or the front of a bright, sunny window covered by a sheer curtain. Although the plant tolerates low light, bright light brings out the colors in the leaves. However, intense light may cause the edges of the leaves to turn yellow.
Allow the soil to dry completely before watering, then water deeply until water drips out of the drainage hole. Allow the pot to drain, and discard the water in the saucer. Never allow the soil to become soggy; never let the pot stand in water. Water sparingly throughout the winter. Like most succulent plants that store water in their leaves, Sansevieria rots quickly in excessively wet soil.
Place the Sansevieria at an average room temperature. Protect the plant from drafts and cold temperatures, as it can be damaged at or below 50°F (10°C).
Feed the plant once every three weeks throughout the summer. Use a general-purpose fertilizer for houseplants diluted to one-half the strength suggested on the container. Sansevieria is a light feeder, and too much fertilizer makes the leaves fall over.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Sansevieria.
Links
- Back to genus Sansevieria
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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