Striped dracaena (Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) 'Limelight')
The Striped dracaena, or Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) 'Limelight', offers glossy yellow-green foliage. A low-maintenance tropical perennial ideal for containers.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Striped dracaena, scientifically known as Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Limelight’, is prized for its architectural form and vibrant, glossy foliage that matures to a light lime green color. This durable broadleaf evergreen is a highly popular choice for interior decoration, bringing tropical structure to indoor settings where it retains its appeal year-round. As a relatively slow-growing cultivar, Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Limelight’ offers consistent visual interest without requiring frequent reshaping.
Originating from tropical Africa, this variety of Dracaena fragrans is adaptable and thrives in cultivation, often serving as a backbone element in containers. While it can reach significant heights outdoors in tropical climates, it remains a manageable size indoors, typically topping out around 6 feet. Gardeners appreciate the low maintenance level associated with caring for the Striped dracaena.
This plant’s sword-shaped leaves provide excellent contrast against architecture or neighboring plants with finer textures. When sourced from the Deremensis Group, plants are often known broadly as striped dracaena, even though the ‘Limelight’ mutation specifically showcases that bright yellow-green hue. Its ability to tolerate lower light conditions makes Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Limelight’ a versatile choice for partially shaded patios or bright interior rooms.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asparagaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 6-15 ft
- Spread: 4-6 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
When growing Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Limelight’ outdoors in warm locales, planting should occur in spring once frost danger has completely passed. For container growing, which is common, use a loamy, peaty, well-drained potting soil mix. The ideal location offers bright indirect light; while the plant tolerates some low light, excessive direct sun exposure can negatively affect the desired foliage color development.
Maintain consistently moist but well-drained soils during the active growing season. Watering frequency should be reduced significantly from the fall through late winter dormant period, ensuring soils dry slightly between waterings, but never allowing them to completely desiccate. To enhance humidity, especially for indoor specimens, containers can be set over beds of wet pebbles, accompanied by regular misting of the foliage.
Temperatures between 60-75°F are preferred for the most vigorous growth. Since this is a frost-free tropical perennial, containers must be moved indoors before outdoor temperatures begin to dip below 50°F in early autumn. Pruning mainly involves removing lower leaves as they age to reveal bare, woody stems typical of mature corn plants.
Landscape Uses
The primary recommended use for the Striped dracaena is as a spectacular specimen plant within containers. Its strong vertical lines and bright foliage make it an excellent focal point near entryways, on bright covered porches, or in sunlit conservatories. When staged outdoors during summer months in cooler climates, combine it with seasonal annuals that share its part shade preference, such as impatiens or coleus, to create lush, layered displays.
Indoors, the plant excels where a tall, dramatic houseplant is needed to anchor a room or soften a stark corner. Because of its height potential, Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Limelight’ pairs well with smaller, cascading foliage plants placed at the base of its container, offering textural contrast. Its requirement for bright indirect light means it thrives near east or north-facing windows, or shielded windows facing south or west.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Dracaena fragrans, commonly known as corn plant, is a popular, durable, easy-to-grow indoor houseplant that is native to tropical Africa. Deremensis Group plants, commonly called striped dracaena, feature large, evergreen, undulate, linear, variegated leaves (each leaf to 2’ long) and yellow flowers which bloom periodically throughout the year. The specific cultivar ‘Limelight’ features bright, glossy yellow-green leaves which mature to a light lime green and typically thrives in low light interior settings before maturing to about 6’ tall indoors.
Tolerances
- Drought
Potential Problems
Keep an eye out for common sap-sucking pests such as spider mites, thrips, and scale, which can weaken the plant. Leaf spot diseases are also a possibility under poor air circulation or overly wet conditions. A very common issue with Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Limelight’ is leaf tip browning; this can stem from low humidity, incorrect light levels (too much direct sun), or sensitivity to water additives like chlorine. To mitigate tip burn, consider using filtered water or rainwater and ensure consistent, medium moisture levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Striped dracaena suitable for?
This tropical perennial is hardy only in USDA Zones 10 through 12, requiring protection or relocation indoors when temperatures drop below 50°F.
How large does Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Limelight’ grow?
When grown in containers indoors, this plant typically reaches a height between 6 to 15 feet, with a spread of 4 to 6 feet.
What sun exposure does Striped dracaena need?
This plant requires part shade to thrive, meaning it benefits from bright, indirect light but must be protected from significant periods of direct, strong sun.
When does Striped dracaena bloom?
It is considered a seasonal bloomer, and when flowering occurs, the blooms are typically yellow.
Conclusion
The Striped dracaena, or Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Limelight’, stands out as a resilient, low-maintenance tropical accent suitable for containers both inside and out (in warm seasons). Its striking, bright-lime foliage provides enduring color that elevates any growing space. Before bringing your Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Limelight’ home, confirm that your environment falls within USDA Zones 10-12, or plan for its necessary relocation indoors before the first fall chill.
Companion Planting for Tropical Displays
When using Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Limelight’ in containers, pairing it with plants that share similar moderate water needs prevents over- or under-watering any component of the arrangement. Consider combining the vertical structure of the Striped dracaena with trailing tropicals like Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) or upright, broad-leafed plants such as Calathea varieties. These companions provide textural differences while thriving equally well in bright, indirect light conditions. Ensure the soil mix drains rapidly, benefiting all plants housed together.
Managing Indoor Humidity
Because Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Limelight’ originates from humid tropical environments, indoor cultivation often benefits from added atmospheric moisture management. If you notice browning leaf tips, increasing humidity is crucial. Beyond simple misting, which provides temporary relief, placing the container atop a humidity tray filled with pebbles and water is highly effective. Ensure the bottom of the pot rests on the pebbles and does not directly contact the standing water, as saturated soil is detrimental. Consistently providing higher humidity helps maintain the vibrant color and tip integrity of the ‘Limelight’ foliage.
