Florida Beauty

Florida Beauty, Dracaena surculosa, is a small, shrubby member of the dracaena group native to West Africa, sometimes called gold dust dracaena.

Unlike the strappy-leaved dracaenas, it bears broad, oval leaves arranged on thin, wiry stems and densely flecked with creamy-yellow spots that look like scattered gold dust. The 'Florida Beauty' selection is especially heavily speckled.

It is a slow-growing, compact plant well suited to tabletops and shaded indoor spots, valued for its bright, jewel-like foliage.

Key features to recognize Florida Beauty:

• Leaves: oval to elliptical, dark green densely spotted with creamy gold
• Arrangement: leaves spaced along slender, wiry, branching stems
• Habit: shrubby, compact, slow-growing, usually under 2-3 feet indoors
• Stems: thin and cane-like rather than the thick canes of other dracaenas
• Flowers: small, fragrant white blooms, rare indoors

Light: Bright, indirect light keeps the spotting vivid; tolerates moderate light but spots fade in dim conditions.

Water: Water when the top inch of soil dries; sensitive to fluoride, so use filtered water if leaf tips brown.

Soil: Well-draining, peat-based potting mix.

Temperature: 65-80F (18-27C); keep above 55F.

Humidity: Appreciates moderate to high humidity.

Feeding: Diluted balanced fertilizer monthly in the growing season.

Propagation: From stem cuttings rooted in moist soil or water.

Native to the tropical forests of West Africa, where it grows as a shaded understory shrub in warm, humid conditions.

This forest-floor origin makes it tolerant of lower light than many houseplants. It is grown worldwide as an indoor ornamental and outdoors in frost-free tropical gardens.