Dracaena Lemon Lime Care: Growing Dracaena Warneckii Lemon Lime

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Dracaena [dra-SEE-nah] lemon lime belongs to Asparagaceae (the asparagus plant family) and is native to tropical Africa. 

One of the select types of Dracaena, the Lemon Lime plant, has stunning broad leaves with lemony green edges – hence the common name Lemon lime Dracaena.  

Dracaena Lemon LimePin
Colorful foliage of Dracaena Lemon Lime

It is an easy-to-care houseplant and is cultivated throughout Asia and America. 

The botanical name of this beautiful indoor plant is Dracaena deremensis [dra-SEE-nah, dair-rem-MEN-sis] and has a few common names as follows:

  • Dragon Blood Tree
  • Dragon Tree
  • Lemon Lime
  • Lemon Lime Warneckii
  • Warnecki Lemon Lime

Dracaena Lemon lime is a sport of Dracaena deremensis that makes Lemon Lime related to Dracaena Janet Craig and Dracaena Warneckii.

Dracaena Lemon Lime Quick Care Tips

  • Botanical Name: Dracaena deremensis ‘Lemon Lime’
  • Common Name(s): Lemon Lime Dracaena
  • Synonyms: Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’
  • Family & Origin: Asparagaceae family, native to tropical Africa
  • Growability: Easy to grow
  • Grow Zone: USDA zones 10-12
  • Size: Grows up to 4-6′ feet tall
  • Flowering: Rarely flowers indoors
  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Humidity: Tolerates low humidity, but benefits from occasional misting
  • Temperature: Prefers temperatures between 70-75°F
  • Soil: Well-draining potting soil
  • Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry, do not overwater
  • Fertilizer: Feed every 2-3 months with a balanced liquid fertilizer
  • Pests & Diseases: Susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs, can also develop root rot if overwatered
  • Propagation: Propagated through stem cuttings
  • Plant Uses: Adds a pop of color to any room, air-purifying properties

In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about proper dracaena lemon lime care.

Dracaena Lemon Lime Plant Care

Taking care of the dracena warneckii lemon lime is relatively easy. This includes providing proper lemon lime dracaena care to ensure healthy growth.

Vibrant green striped plant leaves.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @planthappysj

Size and Growth

Dracena lemon lime is a medium-sized dracaena plant, growing up to 4’ to 6’ feet tall. 

However, this easy-care houseplant can grow above 20’ feet tall. 

The plant is characterized by prominent corn-like green leaves, usually 2’ feet long.

As the Dracaena lemon lime cane grows, it loses its initial leaves and forms bright green variegated foliage, similar to cornstalks. 

These leaves are vibrant green with white and yellow stripes, usually in the center, forming a rosette.

These perennial plants are originally small and thick but grow to become quite broad and linear.

If you want to grow your Dracaena plant outdoors, it’s best planted in USDA zones 9 to 11.



Flowering and Fragrance

Dracena lemon lime plants rarely produce flowers. However, when given indirect sunlight in summer, they may produce small, almost invisible white flowers. 

The plant is sometimes referred to as ‘Dracaena fragrans,’ referencing the plant’s highly fragrant flowers.

Light and Temperature

Lemon lime plant light requirements are simple. They prefer plenty of bright indirect light to maintain their bright, vibrant color. 

But they can also tolerate a wide range of light conditions, including low light conditions. However, this will slow the plant’s growth.

However, avoid direct light at all costs, as it will cause leaf discoloration and burn marks. 

Variegated houseplants with wooden backdrop.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @thegardenermag

Even though the perennial plant may perfectly thrive in low light, providing it with medium light is better. Bright filtered sunlight will also keep the vibrant foliage color.

Too much direct sunlight may fade the leaves color and may leave brown spots, while too little light may make the leaves thin and wrinkled.  

Considering this, it is ideal for providing warm temperatures between 70° to 75° degrees Fahrenheit (21° – 24° C). 

Lemon lime dracaena may also survive at 53° degrees Fahrenheit (12° C), at a minimum, for a short amount of time.

Regarding humidity levels, Lemon lime warneckii can tolerate moderate to high humidity levels.

The USDA hardiness zone of lemon dracaena plant is 10 to 12.

Dracaena Lemon Lime plant, vibrant green leaves, striking appearancePin

Watering and Feeding

  • Dracena warneckii lemon lime plants are generally drought-resistant without strict water requirements.
  • They do well with a low to moderate level of watering. 
  • The best water to use is rainwater or distilled water.
  • Water the plant when the soil begins to dry out. 
  • Avoid overwatering to prevent the plant’s leaf tips from turning harsh, resulting in brown leaves.
  • Always use clean water, lacking harmful chemicals like chlorine and fluoride.  
  • This plant is sensitive to the chemicals in the tap water. So let it sit overnight first.
  • When the plant is actively growing, usually in spring and summer, apply a dose of a weak houseplant fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer once or twice a month. 
  • There is no need for plant food in fall and winter.

Related: More on Dracaena Plant Watering

Soil and Transplanting

Dracaena fragrans lemon lime prefers fast-draining soil combined with lava rocks. Loose, well-aerated soil also works best for this vibrant plant. 

The plant should be transplanted in spring or summer when it is actively growing. 

For repotting, choose a larger pot and fill it with potting mix. 

Ensure it is 2″ inches wider than the current pot and has a proper drainage hole.

Vibrant green plant held in hand, white background.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @_crazy_about_plants_

Moreover, a layer of hydro stones will also work well, as placing them beneath the soil will act as a reservoir for any excess water.

Before transplanting, make sure to water the lemon lime dracena plant in its existing pot. Then, firmly lift off the soil base using your hands. 

Separate the root ball from the soil and place it in the center of the pot. 

Cover the pot with soil, especially around the root ball. 

Gently tap it with a spade or hands to firm the soil. 

Next, water the soil until it is moist, and the roots are well established.

Grooming and Maintenance

Help dracaenas look fresh and neat by cutting back their lower leaves, which they usually shed as they grow older.  

Wipe their leaves with a wet cloth regularly to keep the dracaenas in the best condition. 

Lush variegated houseplant on display.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @gardencenterzonasul

This will eliminate unwanted dust and grime from the plant. 

Avoid using a leaf-shine spray on these plants. 

If the plant outgrows the space it is placed in, prune a few bare stems and brown tips to give it a tidy look. 

Before pruning, sanitize the cutting tool with an ethanol solution and use a solution of Isopropyl.

However, remember that the Lemon Lime plant is toxic to your pets and may pose some risks for both humans and animals. Its toxicity is caused by saponin, a naturally occurring phytochemical in the leaves.  

Question: Is The Dracaena Plant Poisonous or Toxic?

6' foot tall Dracaena Lemon Lime growing outdoors in a pot at the St Augustine, Florida Alligator FarmPin
6′ foot tall Dracaena Lemon Lime growing outdoors in a pot with Foxtail Asparagus
St Augustine, Florida Alligator Farm | image – PlantCareToday.com

How to Propagate Dracaena Warneckii Lemon Lime

A lemon lime dracena plant is usually propagated by stem cutting, and this is the simplest propagation method.

Just cut a 4” to 6” inches long node and apply a small amount of rooting hormone on it. 

Plant the cutting in a large pot of well-drained potting soil. 

Cover the pot with plastic for a few days, ensuring the soil is moist. 

After a few weeks, new roots will spring up from your new lemon lime dracaena plant.

Dracaena Warneckii Lemon Lime Pests and Diseases

These indoor house plants get damaged when exposed to spider mites and mealybugs. 

Diseases like fluoride toxicity and leaf spots make the fresh, vibrant leaves of the plant dull and dark, stained with yellow and brown leaf spots and brown leaf tips.

The other main disease is root rot, which is caused by consistently wet soils. If you notice your Lemon lime plant stems are mushy and the leaves start to yellow, then it’s an indication of root rot.

Indoor potted plant by windowPin
Photo Credit: Instagram @butik.cveca012

Dracaena Lemon Lime Uses

According to NASA, dracaena plants play a vital role in air purification. 

The NASA Clean Air Plant Study indicated the plant aided in removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.

Drac lemon lime plant is perfect for someone who may be gone for long periods of time and wants to add some greenery to their environment.

If you’re looking for a plant gift, Dracaena warneckii lemon lime is also an excellent choice.