Like some other members of its genus, S. trifasciata yields bowstring hemp, a strong plant fiber once used to make bowstrings.

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In good summer light, tall spikes of pale green flowers and orange berries appear. This plant grows best in a small pot.

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Long-leafed plant from tropical West Africa with an upright rosette and white flowers. Leaves are mottled or banded green but a great variety of variegated and color forms have been selected in cultivation, many with their own names. Some of these forms are unstable and will revert to others.

This plant generally does better when given protection from the sun outside. Though it will survive here in full sun, it just looks bleached and sad given that much exposure. It does enjoy bright light, though. It does very well indoors given a bright location, and even when light is somewhat limiting. An extremely popular and durable house plant. Propagated by division of clumps or leaf cuttings.

Until 2017 this and about 70 other species were members of the genus Sansevieria, which has now been lumped with Dracaena. It will usually be found under the old name in cultivation.

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Observation notes: It took about....6-7 years for a new offshoot rosette to reach maturity and bloom. It has not been in ideal conditions (but not poor either). Spent most of its time in a bright room (but not near a window), and sped up its growth in the last couple of years after being moved outside. It took 3 weeks or so for the stalk to fully develop and bloom. The flowers themselves opened in quick succession one after another in the span of an hour once the temperature dropped after a sudden rain. I assume it might be pollinated by nocturnal animals, given the pale flowers.

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