Anybody know what kind of plant this is?

October 28, 2008 9:37 AM

Anybody know what kind of houseplant this is? (I inherited it when I bought my house). Thx!
posted by Misciel to home & garden (14 comments total)

That looks like some kind of yucca or maybe a Dracaena.
posted by Joh at 9:50 AM on October 28, 2008

Looks like a dracaena marginata to me.
posted by SaintCynr at 10:14 AM on October 28, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I'm going for Yucca.
posted by Solomon at 10:35 AM on October 28, 2008

nthing the yucca thing.
posted by Chairboy at 10:38 AM on October 28, 2008

Some kind of Dracaena. Yuccas have that large middle flowery thing.
posted by Mastercheddaar at 10:51 AM on October 28, 2008

>>Yuccas have that large middle flowery thing.

They do, but seasonally. Usually runs from April/May to August, depending on the climate and species.
posted by SaintCynr at 11:27 AM on October 28, 2008

I toss my 0.5 in the favour of yucca.

Link to Googleanswer about care and feeding:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006022402440
posted by Rabarberofficer at 12:32 PM on October 28, 2008

One or more additional images would be helpful, but from the one image I'll second the Dracaena as most probable. They're hardy indoors and in mild climates (our open back porch) They'll thrive outside.
posted by X4ster at 12:45 PM on October 28, 2008

You might try a local university extension program, they do a lot of plant ID and sually very happy to help. Maine?
posted by SaintCynr at 12:58 PM on October 28, 2008

are usually, that is.
posted by SaintCynr at 12:59 PM on October 28, 2008

Dracaena?
posted by acrasis at 4:47 PM on October 28, 2008

Probably Dracaena species, but the picture is not super helpful. It could be Yucca. Both flower in the middle, but Dracaena is probably more likely to do so indoors. The Dracaena flowers will look quite different from Yucca, however.
D marginata would have red margins on every leaf.

The culture for both is about the same. Sun. Let dry out between waterings. Watch for mealybug or mites.
posted by oneirodynia at 5:29 PM on October 28, 2008

If it's a Yucca, the leaves will be stiff and almost prickly at the tips. Dracaena, more floppy leaves.

I'd say Dracaena with 90% certainty based on the photo.
posted by mmoncur at 10:55 PM on October 28, 2008

Flickr's IDPlease group is really good for this.
posted by softlord at 2:43 AM on October 31, 2008