Tree up to 15 (-25) m tall, trunk 25-35 cm in diameter, richly branched in the crown, with leaf scars visible for a long time. Leaves alterne, coriaceous, shiny, bright green, crowded in terminal rosettes, sword-shaped, apex acute, base clasping,up to 130cm long and 16 cm wide. Inflorescence, terminal panculate, numerous flowers, up to 100 (-200) cm long and 70-150 cm wide. Flowers greenish white, up to 1.5 cm long. Fruit a dark purple berry up to 1.5 -2 cm long and 1.5-3 cm wide.

 Dracaena steudneri is an important medical plant. In Rwanda, the leaves are used to treat scabies, vitamin deficiency, haemorrhage, otitis media, flambesia and syphilis. The wood is used to prevent ghosts from entering the house. In east Afriican countries, the decoction of stem bark is used  for the treatment of hepatic (liver) disease

Ornamental plant.