Dracaena Lemon Lime Plant

Instructions

Soil Preference:

1. The lemon lime plant enjoys a light well draining soil.
2. A mix of potting soil and perlite will keep the roots happiest.
3. Our mix for this plant is 50 % potting mix to 50% perlite.
4. A heavy soil potting mix is not recommended for these plants.

Pot Size and Type:

1. This plant will grow to the size of its pot. They can tolerate being root bound.
2. If you want to encourage faster growth choose a pot about 2 inches wider in diameter than the current pot.
3. Any well drained pot can be used. It MUST have drainage.
4. Repot every second year or when roots come out the drainage holes on the pot bottom To the next pot size up.
5. Don't jump to a huge pot from a small one unless you wish to encourage faster growth. Just go to the next size up pot.

Lighting:

1. Dracaenas enjoys indirect moderate to bright light.
2. However, It will tolerate lower indirect light. If the light is too low the leaves will begin to fall. The plant will get leggy and thin as it stretches to the light. Move to brighter light.
3. Shield this bush from strong direct light in summer south and west sunny windows. The leaves may burn. Look for dry brown spots on the leaves. If you see them move the plant to lower light.
4. Tip: Window sheers or blinds can offset some brief periods of high direct light.

Watering:

1. Water your lemon lime plant when the soil is dry down two inches or more. Tropical plants in general do not like to be overly wet. Try a watering schedule of every other week.

1. Watering is best done on a regular schedule so the plant is not over or under watered. Both can cause stress on the lemon lime dracaena
2. This tropical plant enjoys humidity of at least 40% up to 60%. In dry climates this bush will thrive with a humidifier nearby. or set it in your kitchen or bathroom. For a really dry climate also use pebble trays and group plants together for increased humidity.
3. In dormant winter months reduce watering to when the soil is dry down halfway or more .
4. Never let this plant get wet feet. If the soil is compacted the bottom of the soil can remain wet which encourages root rot and Fungus Gnats. If you see yellow leaves you are probably overwatering.

How to Fertilize:

1. Apply a good quality fertilizer (linked in materials) monthly through Spring and summer.
2. Decrease feedings by late Fall and allow your umbrella tree to rest through the winter months.
3. Look for brown spots on the leaves of your plants. This may indicate an over concentration of salts in the roots from over feeding. It can burn the leaves.
4. The remedy is to set the plant under a faucet of water and let the water run through for 10 minutes or so. Allow the pot to Completely drain. Discontinue fertilizer until the plant recovers.

Temperature:

1. Optimal temperatures for the lemon lime are 60 to 75 degrees F. Up to 10 degrees lower night time temperatures are fine.
2. They can be grown outside year round in climate zones 10 to 11.

Pruning and Training:

1. Pruning will give you a fuller plant with more even growth.
2. Lemon lime plants can be grown as a small tree indoors with a single large stem forming the trunk like a Money tree.
3. Sharp sterile Hand pruners are preferred for pruning. They will give a clean cut that will heal quickly.
4. Prune in between the leaf nodes at 45 degrees angle for thick woody stems of older plants. Shaping your lemon lime bush is recommended. They will get leggy if left to themselves.

Table Top size Plants:

1. It’s easy to prune and shape these plants to whatever length and fullness you desire.
2. As a table top plant cut the longer stems back at the node height you wish to grow it to.
3. The top will coninue to grow new growth so you will have to occasionally trim off the growth to your preference.
4. Keep the pot size small to keep lemon limes table top size.

For Taller Bushes:

The Dracaena Lemon Lime will grow 5 to 7 feet indoors. If you prefer a shorter bushier plant you will need to trim off the top.

You can then replant the top next to the taller stem to fill out your bush.

After pruning the top will send out shoots from each side of the cut at the node. You can let them grow or trim them back as you prefer.

Leaf Care:

1. For the best care leaves enjoy occasional washing.
2. This helps keep the stomata (leaf pores) open for plant respiration.
3. Healthy leaves with a good clean surface are most able to resist pests.
4. Dusty leaves will starve the plants of water exchange through humidity.
5. Hand Wash with water. or use milk to wash clean leaves to create a shiny surface.
6. You can also use a hose or shower to clean off a larger lemon lime bush.

Pests:

We have posts on all the pests listed below. Click the links to learn more about them and how to get rid of various pests on your plants.

1. Dracaenas are not fussy and resist pests quite well when in good health. However all plants get attacked by pests.
2. Stress by long term poor watering practices, poor light, extreme temperatures and soil conditions are contributors to pests.
3. Washing the leaves occasionally will help keep pests from establishing themselves on the plant.
4. Spider mites are the biggest problem for many plants. Watch for the webs. Treat immediately and continue for two weeks or more to remove the next generation of spider mites after the adults die. Eggs attach to the leaves and cannot be washed off.
5. mealy bugs, scale, thrips and whitefly are also common houseplant pests you will see in a stressed lemon lime plant.
6. Read our post on How to get rid of aphids and other pests with our homemade pesticide soap recipe or neems oil.
7. To minimize the possibility of pests be sure to check all nursery plants before bringing them home.
8. Quarantine all new plants until you are sure no pests live in them.

How to Propagate Dracaena Lemon Lime:

1. Propagation is best done through stem cuttings.
2. You need a 3 to 6 inch leaf stem with a node and healthy leaf top.
3. Cut the stem in between two nodes. Strip off the bottom leaves.
4. Place the stem into rooting hormone gel.
5. Now plant the stem in moist soil or other planting medium.
6. After several weeks roots will grow.
7. Make sure to keep the soil moist until the roots begin to set into the soil.

Watch our video below on. plant propagation methods. The dracena lemon lime is propagated similarly to my Dwarf Umbrella in this video.

Toxic Plant:

This plant contains Saponins which are toxic to humans and pets.

1. This is a medium toxin and non lethal.
2. Symptoms: weakness, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and depression. Be aware, Contact your vet if symptoms persist. Dehydration is deadly to small pets.
3. Poison Part: Leaves and stems