Dragon tree 'Lemon Lime', the indestructible one!

Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime' is a variety of Dracaena fragrans cultivated for the color of its leaves. This variety of dragon tree is known as 'Lemon lime' because of the color of its leaf blades. It's a highly prized variety for interior decoration and beginners alike.

How to recognize Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime'?

Being a variety of Dracaena fragrans, the Dragonwood 'Lemon lime' can reach a height of 1.20 m indoors and in pots.

Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon lime' has leaves reminiscent of dragonwood reflexa var. Angustifolia, notably in the distribution of colors, dark green in the center and light green on the edges. Its foliage develops only at the tips of the stems, and takes the form of a spiral.

The term "fragrans" comes from the scent of vanilla and ylang-ylang released by the Dragon Tree's small white flowers. There's little chance of seeing these flowers indoors, as the conditions are not right for flowering.

At the end of the blooming period, the flowers give way to small orange fruits, some twenty millimeters long.

Our maintenance tips

Plenty of sun, but without burning the leaves, regular watering, but without drowning the roots... Even if the plant is suitable for beginners, caring for your Fragrant Dragonwood 'Lemon lime requires rigor and moderation.

Watering

Lemon lime' scented dragon trees like to keep their feet cool, but can't stand soggy soil. Water when the substrate is dry on the surface, for about three centimetres.

To provide your plant with the nutrients it needs, give preference to rainwater. Avoid tap water, which is often too hard. Finally, to avoid damaging the roots, use water at room temperature.

If you use a saucer or planter, remove any stagnant water. It could rot the root system.

Spray

Your Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon lime' appreciates a misting of its foliage and fruit. Spray it with non-calcareous water at room temperature. In addition to improving humidity, you'll prevent the appearance of pests.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon lime' to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Choose a pierced pot slightly larger than the previous one. First lay a bed of clay balls or gravel to optimize drainage. Top it off with a special potting soil for green plants. This will provide your shrub with nutrients, at least for a few weeks.

You can place the pot in a saucer filled with moist clay balls. This will improve the hygrometry without risk to the roots.

Cleaning

The dust that accumulates on the leaves interferes with photosynthesis and slows down your plant's development. To allow it to take advantage of the light, clean the top and bottom of the foliage with a clean, damp cloth.

Don't use any polish, as it will damage the limbs.

Prune

Remove dry leaves. They exhaust the plant and slow its growth. If you use an instrument (pruning shears, scissors), make sure it's clean.

Plantation

Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.

Lemon lime' scented dragon trees tolerate mild winters. If you live in the south of France or by the sea, you can plant them in the ground.

Choose a bright location, but without direct sunlight. Make sure the soil is well drained. If the soil in your garden is heavy or retains moisture, plant them at the top of a mound or on a slope.

After loosening the soil, dig a hole three times the size of your Fragrant Dragonwood 'Lemon limepot. Place a layer of clay balls or gravel and transplant. Fill in with a mixture of ordinary soil and sand, or even potting soil for citrus and Mediterranean plants.

Protect the base with a mineral mulch (pebbles, gravel, pebbles, slate, etc.) before watering abundantly.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Plant your graft in a pierced pot containing a mixture of rich potting soil (horticultural potting soil, potting soil for seedlings, special potting soil for cuttings, etc.) and sand. Place them in a bright spot, but away from direct sunlight.

Diseases / Threats

Red spiders

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Asparagaceae - Asparagaceae
Type	Dracaena - Dracaena
Species	Fragrant Dragonwood - Dracaena fragrans
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrats	Calcareous earth Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs Planter
Categories	Shrub Interior Herbaceous
Tags	Beginner Increvable
Origin	Central Africa
Hardiness (USDA)	10a
Leaf color
Flower colors
Fruit color