Lemon Lime Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Lemon Lime')

Care Sheet List

This vibrant plant, with its striking green and yellow striped leaves, is relatively easy to care for and a great choice for beginners.

Lighting

Lemon Lime Dracaenas thrive in medium to bright indirect light. They can tolerate lower light conditions, but their colors may not be as vibrant. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch their leaves. A spot near an east or north-facing window is ideal, or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window.

Watering Routine

Water your Lemon Lime Dracaena when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Use your finger to check. It's better to slightly under-water than over-water, as they are susceptible to root rot. When you water, water thoroughly until you see water draining from the bottom of the pot. Discard any excess water in the saucer. In winter, reduce watering frequency as the plant's growth slows.

Fertilizer Requirements

Feed your Lemon Lime Dracaena during its growing season, which is typically spring and summer.

• Type: Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer.
• Commercial Recommendation: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food (Liquid) or Schultz Liquid Plant Food can be used. Dilute these commercial concentrates to achieve approximately 50-100 ppm N in your final solution. This is often equivalent to using them at "half strength" or "full strength" of the package's recommended dose.
• DIY Fertilizer Suggestion: For healthy foliage, use your homemade 3-1-2 liquid fertilizer concentrate (High Nitrogen) or a balanced 1-1-1 liquid fertilizer concentrate.
  • For 3-1-2 concentrate (30,000 ppm N): Apply at a "Light Feeding" rate, using 1.67 ml per 1 liter of water (resulting in ~50 ppm N). See recipe details.
  • For 1-1-1 concentrate (10,000 ppm N): Apply at a "Moderate Feeding" rate, using 10 ml per 1 liter of water (resulting in ~100 ppm N). See recipe details.
• Avoid: Do not fertilize in fall and winter.

Misting Requirements

Lemon Lime Dracaenas appreciate moderate humidity. While not strictly necessary, occasional misting can be beneficial, especially in dry environments or during winter when indoor heating is on. Mist the leaves a few times a week with room-temperature water. You can also place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (making sure the pot isn't sitting directly in the water).

Pot Size and Soil Type

• Pot Size: When repotting from a nursery pot, choose a new pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter. For example, if it's in a 6-inch nursery pot, move it to an 8-inch pot. They don't mind being slightly root-bound, but repotting every 1-2 years will allow for healthy growth. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
• Soil Type: Use a well-draining potting mix. A standard houseplant potting mix is usually fine, but you can enhance drainage by adding some perlite or coarse sand (about 1 part perlite to 3-4 parts potting mix).