Dracaena sanderiana is one of a group of small, shrubby species with slender stems and flexible strap-shaped leaves that grow as understory plants in rain forests. It is native to Cameroon in tropical west Africa. It is an upright shrub growing to 1.5 metres (5 ft) tall, with leaves 15-25 cm (6-10 in) long and 1.5-4 cm (1-2 in) broad at the base.