Dracaena Lemon Lime - Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime'
Dracaena Lemon Lime - Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime'
Plant Overview
Dracaena Lemon Lime (Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime') is a vibrant, striped foliage plant known for its bold bands of lime green, yellow, and dark green running the length of each arching leaf. Grown in a healthy 4-inch nursery pot, this easygoing tropical brings punchy colour to lower-light corners of Vancouver homes and offices where many flowering plants would struggle.
- Live Plant
- Healthy Nursery Grown
- 4-Inch Pot
- Easy Care
- Indoor Plant
Botanical Information
Dracaena Lemon Lime belongs to the Asparagaceae family and is a striped cultivar of Dracaena fragrans, a species native to tropical Africa. Dracaena fragrans is one of the most widely grown houseplant species worldwide, with 'Lemon Lime' standing out for its especially bright, high-contrast leaf striping.
Why You'll Love This Plant
Few low-light-tolerant plants offer this much colour. Dracaena Lemon Lime's bold striped foliage brings visual energy to shaded corners and rooms with limited natural light, all while asking for very little in terms of hands-on care.
Specifications
| Botanical Name | Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime' |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Dracaena Lemon Lime, Corn Plant (Lemon Lime) |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Origin | Tropical Africa |
| Plant Type | Tropical evergreen shrub/tree |
| Pot Size | 4-inch nursery pot |
| Growth Habit | Upright, cane-forming |
| Growth Rate | Slow to moderate |
| Mature Height | 1-2 m indoors |
| Mature Width | 45-90 cm indoors |
| Leaf Colour | Lime green, yellow, dark green stripes |
| Flower Colour | Rarely flowers indoors |
| Bloom Season | Uncommon indoors |
| Evergreen / Deciduous | Evergreen |
| Indoor | Yes |
| Outdoor | Summer container plant only |
| USDA Zones | 10-12 |
| Pet Safe | No |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested |
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Water Needs | Low to moderate, allow drying between waterings |
| Light Needs | Low to bright indirect light |
| Humidity | Average indoor humidity |
| Temperature | 16-27°C |
| Soil | Well-draining potting mix |
| Fertilizer | Balanced liquid, every 4-6 weeks in season |
| Propagation | Cane cuttings |
| Expected Lifespan | Many years, very long-lived |
Plant Features
Long, arching, strap-shaped leaves display bold longitudinal stripes of lime green, yellow, and deep green, radiating from a central cane. As the plant matures, lower leaves shed naturally, gradually revealing a woody trunk.
Plant Care Guide
Light Requirements
This plant tolerates a wide range of light, from low light to bright indirect light, though the boldest leaf colour and striping develop with medium to bright indirect light. Avoid direct, intense sun, which can scorch the leaves.
Water Requirements
Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly. This plant is sensitive to overwatering and prefers to dry out somewhat between waterings rather than staying consistently wet.
Humidity
Average indoor humidity is generally sufficient, and this plant handles the drier air of Canadian winters reasonably well without major issue.
Temperature
Keep this plant in typical indoor temperatures between 16 and 27 degrees Celsius, away from cold drafts and sudden temperature swings.
Soil
A well-draining, standard potting mix amended with perlite supports healthy roots and helps prevent the overwatering issues this plant is most prone to.
Fertilizer
Feed with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer every four to six weeks during spring and summer, reducing or pausing feeding in fall and winter.
Repotting
Repot every two years or so, or once roots become tightly bound in the current pot, moving up only one size at a time.
Pruning
Trim the cane to control height and encourage branching, and remove any yellowed or damaged leaves at the base to keep the plant looking tidy.
Propagation
This plant propagates well from cane cuttings, which can be rooted in water or moist potting mix and will often send out new growth from the cut cane as well.
Growth Rate
Growth is slow to moderate, typically producing a modest number of new leaves each growing season.
Mature Size
Indoors, Dracaena Lemon Lime can eventually reach 1 to 2 metres over several years, though it stays more compact for a long time in a smaller container.
Indoor Care
Dracaena Lemon Lime is an excellent year-round houseplant across Canada, well suited to lower-light rooms, offices, and hallways where many other colourful plants would struggle to survive, let alone thrive.
Outdoor Care
In British Columbia, this plant can spend summer outdoors in a bright, shaded, or partly shaded spot, but it must come back indoors before nighttime temperatures drop in fall, as it has no frost tolerance.
Pet Safety
Dracaena fragrans, including the 'Lemon Lime' cultivar, is considered toxic to cats and dogs; it contains saponins that can cause vomiting, sometimes with blood, along with drooling and loss of appetite if ingested. Keep this plant out of reach of pets.
Air Purifying Benefits
Dracaena fragrans was one of the species evaluated in NASA's Clean Air Study and was shown to help filter certain common indoor air pollutants, making Lemon Lime a well-documented choice among air-filtering houseplants.
Common Problems
Brown leaf tips are commonly linked to fluoride or chlorine sensitivity from tap water, or low humidity; filtered water can help reduce this. Yellowing, soft leaves usually point to overwatering.
Pest Management
Spider mites and mealybugs can occasionally appear, particularly in dry indoor air. Wipe leaves periodically and treat any infestation promptly with insecticidal soap.
Styling Ideas
The bold striped foliage adds instant colour to darker corners, hallways, or offices where flowering plants aren't practical, and pairs nicely with plain white or neutral pots to let the leaf colour take centre stage.
Perfect For
Low-light rooms, offices, and anyone browsing our air purifying plants and beginner plants collections for colourful, forgiving foliage.
Seasonal Care
Growth is most active in spring and summer, when regular watering and light feeding support new leaves. In fall and winter, water less frequently as growth slows and keep the plant away from cold drafts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dracaena Lemon Lime survive in low light? Yes, it tolerates low to bright indirect light, though colour is most vivid with more light.
Is this plant toxic to pets? Yes, it is considered toxic to cats and dogs and should be kept out of reach.
Does it purify the air? Yes, Dracaena fragrans was included in NASA's Clean Air Study.
Why are the leaf tips turning brown? Fluoride or chlorine sensitivity from tap water, or low humidity, are common causes.
How often should I water it? Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings.
How tall does it get? Potentially 1 to 2 metres indoors over several years.
How do I propagate this plant? Through cane cuttings rooted in water or moist potting mix.
Can I keep it outdoors in BC? Only temporarily in summer shade; it must come indoors before frost.
Why is my plant losing lower leaves? This is a natural part of growth as the plant develops a visible trunk over time.
What pests affect this plant? Spider mites and mealybugs are the most common issues.
Why Buy From Us
Every Dracaena Lemon Lime we sell is nursery-grown and inspected before shipping, arriving healthy and ready to brighten your space. Our Vancouver-based team is happy to help with care questions along the way.
Order Yours Today
Add vibrant, low-light-friendly colour to your home with a Dracaena Lemon Lime, shipped fresh across Canada.