Song of India Care and Details: Attractive Air Purifying Plant

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Song of India / Dracaena reflexa / Song of Jamaica: They are indoor house plants known for their glossy shiny and beautiful-looking leaves. Song of India care is very easy, making it the best bet for indoor plants. The plants also help purify the air. They are one of the most commonly grown house plants.

Song of India Care and Quick Details

Song of India Buying Instructions

• Buy a bushy plant having more than one division from the stem.
• It comes in multiple varieties so buy the plant of your choice.
• The stem should be strong and the leaves should be shiny.
• You can buy a couple of plants and put at least 2 to 3 plants in the same pot. It will look good.
• As Song of India care is very easy so it is very much suitable for beginners.

Overview of Song of India

They are trees native to the Islands of the Indian ocean. They are mostly grown as a houseplant because of the attractive leaves and their property to absorb household toxins. The plants belong to the family Asparagaceae and can grow up to a height of 4-6 m tall.

They are slow-growing trees with simple lanceolate leaves that are spirally arranged. The leaves are either dark green or variegated with green and yellow stripes. The flowers are white, clustered, and release a pleasant fragrance. The plants mostly flower during winters. They are one of the most commonly grown house plants.

The special feature of Song of India:

Song of India plant was used in the NASA Clean Air Study. The leaves have the ability to absorb household toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, etc thus purifying the air surrounding them.

The plant is also used in traditional medicine to cure poisoning, malaria, diarrhea, and dysmenorrhea. The plant’s bark is also mixed into herbal teas and other native plants.

Usage and Advantage of Song of India

• Grown as an ornamental plant.
• They have the ability to purify the air.
• Used in traditional medicine.

General Care for Song of India

Soil:

Use a well-draining nutrient-rich potting mix. The plants prefer a mix rich in organic content. Add compost to the soil before planting the cuttings.

Water:

Water the plants regularly or every alternate day. The soil must be moist but not too wet or soggy. Water them when the top soil starts to get dry. During winters, the plants can be watered once in two weeks.

Sunlight:

Place them in spots with bright indirect sunlight or in spots that receive direct bright sunlight in the morning and shade in the afternoon. Do not expose the plants to direct sunlight for longer periods of time. Rotate the pot to make sure the plants receive an equal amount of light in all directions.

Temperature:

The plants prefer normal climatic conditions with a temperature range between 15-25 degrees Celsius. with humidity ranging between 60-90%. The plants can tolerate a certain amount of heat and dry conditions. During winters, keep them away from windows or cold dump places.

Fertilization:

Feed the plants once a month with any house plant fertilizer or liquid fertilizer. They can be fed during the growing period ie., from April to September.

Special Care for Song of India:

The older leaves at the bottom turn yellow, these can be pruned and removed. The plants can be re-potted once in 2 years or when they outgrow the pot. The leaves can be wiped clean with water once in a while to remove the dust accumulation.

Pests and other problems for Song of India

They are most prone to pests like aphids, mealy bugs, scales, and spider mites. Spray a mild soap solution or a pesticide. Neem oil can also be sprayed to get rid of pests.

Propagation of Song of India

They can be propagated through stem cuttings. A healthy growing stem is collected. A 6-10 inch long stem is cut from the tip of the growing end. The cut base of the stem is dipped in to a rooting hormone and can be planted. Water them regularly to maintain moisture.