Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’

Origin of Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’

‘Lemon Lime’ began at Te-We Wholesale Nursery in Tilburg, the Netherlands, when a differently striped shoot appeared on ‘Green Stripe’.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’: care and upkeep

• Light: Place ‘Lemon Lime’ in bright indirect light and soften intense midday sun around the pale stripes.
• Temperature: Give ‘Lemon Lime’ stable conditions around 18–27 °C; move it to a warmer position before temperatures remain under 10 °C.
• Humidity: Keep relative humidity near 50–60% during everyday care. A little extra helps the long arching leaves stay supple.
• Water: Check both the surface of the mix and the weight of the pot. A dry top layer and lighter container signal that it is time to water deeply and drain.
• Water quality: If your tap water is hard, use rainwater or filtered water with a confirmed low mineral content.
• Potting mix: A light peat-free mix works well when it drains freely while still holding a little moisture.
• Feeding: Fertilise lightly while new leaves are growing.
• Repotting: When roots crowd the pot, move the plant into the next size.
• Propagation: Use healthy stem cuttings to propagate the ‘Lemon Lime’ stripe pattern.

Common problems with Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’

• Brown ends appear first on pale stripes: Pale tissue can react to fluoride, minerals from tap water, heavy feeding and dry air. Use rainwater or filtered water and rinse the potting mix thoroughly if fertiliser has built up.
• Yellow foliage develops while the pot dries slowly: Give the mix longer to dry and inspect the roots. If you find rot, clean the scissors or pruners with disinfectant before removing the damaged areas. Stop at healthy roots that feel firm, throw away the rot and repot ‘Lemon Lime’ in fresh potting mix with free drainage.
• Fresh leaves grow unusually narrow: Feel the mix around the roots. If it has become dense and hard, replace it with fresh, airy potting mix.
• Sunken tan or rust-coloured patches: Reduce direct sun through glass and place the plant where bright light is indirect or gently filtered.
• Fine pale speckles, waxy deposits or scale-like insects: Look over the striped leaves for spider mites and check the stems for scale or mealybugs. Pick a houseplant treatment whose label lists the pest you found. Follow the directions there and wait the stated time before the next application.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• It contains saponins that can irritate the mouth and digestive tract.
• Chewing may cause drooling, vomiting, stomach pain, reduced appetite or weakness. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop.

How the name Dracaena fragrans came about

Dracaena comes from Greek drakaina, meaning a female dragon. Fragrans is Latin for fragrant and refers to the flowers.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Dracaena in 1767 in Mantissa Plantarum, page 9; Domenico Vandelli had proposed the name.

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Aletris fragrans in 1762 in Species Plantarum, second edition, page 456. John Bellenden Ker Gawler later placed it in Dracaena as Dracaena fragrans in 1808 in Botanical Magazine, volume 27, plate 1081.