Lemon Lime Dracaena Care

Placement

PRO TIP: Drying and browning of the lower leaves is common among Dracaena plants. Prune these leaves with a clean pair of sheers to keep your plant looking its best!

The Dracaena Lemon Lime stands out among its genus for its namesake neon yellow and green striped leaves, but much like the rest of its family its care is relatively straightforward. Capable of reaching heights of 5-7 feet indoors, it can also be kept to a tabletop size with regular pruning.

Place your Dracaena where it will receive medium to bright indirect light. Too much direct sun will scorch and pale the leaves, while very dim light can cause leggy growth and browning. If your windows face South or West, be sure to place the plant behind sheer curtains or far enough removed from the window that the plant is out of the direct stream of light.

If you are unsure of the lighting conditions in your home of office, we have a guide for how to measure light in your space.

Dracaenas are effective air purifiers, according to NASA! They've been found to remove volatile organic compounds from the air, increasing the surrounding air quality as well as your productivity and health.

Routine Maintenance

PRO TIP: Regularly dusting the leaves of your Dracaena will help it photosynthesize properly and looking its healthiest!

Always be sure to assess your plant’s watering needs upon receiving it. Before giving your plant a drink, it is best to check the moisture level in the soil first to ensure it isn’t moist right beneath the surface. Also, consider aerating the soil of your plant before the initial watering. We compact the soil to avoid shifting during transit, so aerating can help the soil breathe and allow moisture to be released.

The Dracaena Lemon Lime prefers its soil to dry slightly between waterings. If the soil remains too wet or too dry you will commonly see brown tips on the leaves. Feel the soil of your plant once a week; if the top 1”-2” is dry then your plant is ready for a drink. If the top 1”-2” is still moist, then check back in a few days.

Rotate your plant periodically to ensure even growth on all sides and dust the leaves often so the plant can photosynthesize efficiently. When dusting the leaves, also take the opportunity to inspect the undersides and keep an eye out for pests.

Remember each plant is a unique living thing and may have varying needs, especially in their individual locations. Pay attention to the condition of your Lemon Lime Dracaena and its watering needs and you will have a long and happy relationship.

Standard Planter Instructions

There are two types of standard planters offered by Greenery NYC—those with drainage holes, and those without. Within those two categories are an array of sizes and styles to choose from. The presence of drainage holes and size of the vessel play a role in the quantity and frequency of water given to your plant.

Plants purchased in a pot without a drainage hole have been set up with a built-in drainage system. A layer of hydro stones (porous, absorbent material made of recycled glass) has been placed beneath the soil to act as a reservoir for any excess water that flows through the soil. You will need to be slightly more cautious not to pour too much water into these containers as there is no way for the excess water to escape. We suggest pouring small amounts of water in bit by bit, until you have reached the desired moisture level in the soil.

For plants potted with drainage, water until it begins to come out the bottom of the pot and into the catch tray.

Always be sure to assess your plant's watering needs upon receiving it. Refer to the routine maintenance section for your plant’s specific moisture requirements.

Self Watering Container Instructions

The self-watering planters require a good, solid watering of the topsoil after they are first placed. This is important because the roots of the plants need to grow into the reservoir first in order to drink from it. Follow the standard planter instructions for the first four weeks. Then the reservoir is ready to be tested.

TEST: After four weeks, fill the water reservoir until the red indicator reaches the MAX line. If the indicator goes down over the first few days, it means the plant is ready for regular reservoir servicing. If not, be sure to continue top watering for a few more weeks, until the red indicator goes down, meaning the plant has started drinking from the reservoir.

RESERVOIR SERVICING: Once the indicator goes down, do not refill the reservoir right away. Similar to how humans need a breath of air between gulps of water, almost all plants require a drying out period. Always allow for the reservoir to empty all the way, and after a drying out period of a few days, be sure to refill it until the indicator reaches the MAX line.

From here on out, you should NEVER topwater the plant. If you water from the top, it can drown the plant. In the Self Watering Container, the top layer of soil will eventually become extremely dry and hard, and may even pull away from the edges of the pot. This is not a cause for concern, but simply because the plant is drinking directly from its roots in the water reservoir.

Step 1: Top water for two weeks. The indicator will look empty, like the picture above.

Step 2: Fill the reservoir until the red indicator reaches the MAX line.

Step 3: Watch the indicator over the next day or two. If it goes down on its own, it means the roots of the plant have grown into the reservoir. From here on out, ONLY water in the reservoir.

Frequently Asked Questions

Help! My Dracaena has dropped a few leaves!

Don’t sweat it! The Dracaena will drop leaves as part of its pattern of growth throughout the year. However, if the leaf drop becomes persistent it’s important to assess your plant’s light and water conditions.

My Dracaena has brown tips and discoloration. What do I do?

This is most often a sign of overwatering. Allow the soil to completely dry out before you water the plant again, and reduce the amount of water you are giving it. Alternately, this can also be a sign of too much chlorine in the water your Dracaena is receiving. In this case you can try using distilled water.

How do I tell when my Dracaena needs water?

The easiest way to tell if your Dracaena needs water is to feel the soil. If the soil is dry below the top 2″ then your plant is ready for a drink.

How often should I fertilize my plant?

In general, house plants will thrive when they are fertilized spring through fall. Fertilize once a month with an organic houseplant fertilizer, following the package instructions for dilution and administration. Greenery NYC uses an organic potting mix with a slow release fertilizer in the soil, so your plant will not need fertilizer within the first 6 months of receiving it.

How often does my plant need to be repotted?

For smaller desktop plants, we suggest repotting once every 12-18 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 1”- 2” larger in diameter to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plant's roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time to repot as the plant is at its strongest.
For larger floor plants, we suggest repotting every 18-24 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 2”- 4” larger in diameter to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plants roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time to repot as the plant is at its strongest.