🌱 Morphology
  A perennial succulent, rhizomatous and acaulescent, with an erect habit that forms a rosette of rigid, upright leaves. In cultivation, it can reach approximately 45–60 cm in height, although mature specimens may exceed these dimensions. The leaves emerge directly from an underground rhizome and tend to form compact clusters by producing new shoots.

The leaves are broad, lanceolate, and leathery, with a smooth surface and a slightly concave section toward the center. They feature a characteristic very pale green, silvery gray, or glaucous green coloration, especially intense in young leaves, with a narrow dark green margin. Very faint transverse bands may appear, which become somewhat more visible with age or in lower light conditions. Individual leaves can reach approximately 40–60 cm in length and 7–10 cm in width.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Family Asparagaceae. The ‘Moonshine’ cultivar is of horticultural origin and does not have its own natural distribution. It belongs to Dracaena trifasciata (Prain) Mabb., a species native to tropical West and Central-West Africa, from southern Nigeria to Cameroon, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Tanzania.

The species grows mainly in seasonally dry tropical environments, where it develops an underground rhizome that allows it to survive long periods of water scarcity. Its former name Sansevieria trifasciata continues to be widely used in horticulture, but the CORRECT name is now Dracaena trifasciata.

❄️ Temperature
USDA Zone 10a–12b. It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −1 ºC sporadically and under completely dry conditions, although exposure to frost is not recommended. For safe growth, it is preferable to keep it above 10 ºC, especially when there is moisture in the substrate.

Cold combined with excess water is particularly harmful to the rhizome and roots. During winter, it should be kept protected from low temperatures and with the substrate kept very dry.

☀️ Lighting
Indicative DLI PAR: 10–20 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹.

It adapts to a wide range of light conditions, from abundant light to bright indoor environments. High lighting promotes compact growth and helps maintain the characteristic silvery green coloration of ‘Moonshine’. Direct sunlight should be introduced gradually to avoid burning.

In conditions of intense shade, the leaves may take on a greener hue and lose part of the silvery appearance characteristic of the cultivar.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. It maintains activity during warm periods, although its growth is relatively slow. During winter, its activity is significantly reduced, and watering should be spaced out considerably.

During the active growing period, it is recommended to water thoroughly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. Its rhizome and succulent leaves allow it to withstand long periods of drought, making it much more tolerant of lack of water than excess moisture.

During winter, it should be kept practically dry, further increasing the interval between waterings when temperatures are low. Water should be applied directly to the substrate, avoiding accumulation in the center of the rosette.

🌸 Flowering
Under favorable conditions, it can produce an erect inflorescence that emerges from the base of the plant. The flowers are small, whitish or cream-colored, and appear clustered along the floral stem. They emit an appreciable fragrance, especially at night.

Flowering is occasional in cultivation and usually occurs when the plant has reached a certain level of maturity and has sufficient lighting. After flowering, small orange fruits may form, although their appearance is rare in plants grown indoors.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, applied after watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering. Fertilizing is not recommended during winter dormancy.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot, with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

12x12 and 16x16 cm pot