Striped dracaena (Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) 'Lemon Lime')
The dazzling Striped dracaena, or Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) 'Lemon Lime', offers vibrant foliage and extremely low maintenance for indoor settings.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Striped dracaena, scientifically known as Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Lemon Lime’, is prized by indoor gardeners for its striking, upright, sword-shaped foliage striped brilliantly with lime and creamy colors. This durable houseplant provides continuous visual interest, maturing into a tree-like structure with a canopy of vibrant leaves atop a woody stem. Its ease of care and tolerance for typical indoor conditions make it an excellent long-term tropical accent.
This cultivar, a member of the Deremensis Group, brings a bright tropical architectural element to any space, often reaching heights between 5 to 10 feet in ideal container settings indoors. As a popular Corn plant variety, Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Lemon Lime’ is valued for its hardiness and low maintenance demands, requiring only part shade conditions to maintain its best coloration.
While flowering is rare indoors, when conditions are right, the resulting tiny white-yellow blooms can be fragrant. For gardeners seeking reliable, architectural structure and bright, patterned leaves, the Striped dracaena represents a top choice for long-term indoor success.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asparagaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 5-10 ft
- Spread: 3-5 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The Striped dracaena thrives best when treated as a container plant, ideally established in an organically rich, well-drained potting mix—a loamy, peaty blend works wonderfully. While it prefers bright, indirect light, avoid prolonged periods of direct sun, as excessive exposure can wash out those prized ‘Lemon Lime’ variegations. It tolerates lower light conditions, though growth will slow.
Maintain consistently moist soil during the active growing season (spring through fall). Reduce watering significantly from late fall into winter, allowing the top portion of the soil to dry slightly between waterings; however, never allow the potting mix to dry out completely, which leads to brown leaf tips. For enhanced tropical ambiance, place containers on beds of wet pebbles and mist the foliage regularly, as low humidity is a common trigger for unsightly dry leaf tips.
Ideal indoor temperatures range between 60-75°F. If you transition your plant outdoors for the summer, ensure it is brought back inside before evening temperatures dip below 50°F, as this tropical perennial is not frost-tolerant. Regular feeding and consistent care ensure the longevity of your Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Lemon Lime’.
Landscape Uses
Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Lemon Lime’ is overwhelmingly recommended for containers in bright indoor locations where its vertical habit can be best appreciated. Its strong structure and bright stripes prevent it from getting lost in busy interior spaces. It functions beautifully as a specimen plant placed near entryways, or grouped with lower-growing, dark green foliage plants to maximize the contrast of its light-colored leaves.
When grown outdoors in suitable tropical climates (Zones 10-12), this plant acts as a stately accent, adding height and texture to shaded garden beds or courtyards. Because it naturally loses its lower leaves over time, creating a bare stem, it pairs well with groundcovers or smaller shrubs planted at its base to mask the trunk and maintain a full appearance.
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. Although it may soar to 20’ tall or more in its native habitat, it more often is seen in the 4-6’ tall range as a container plant in the U.S. Rosettes of evergreen, parallel-veined, sword-shaped, bright green leaves typically grow to 2’ long and 3” wide indoors in containers, but may reach 3’ long in outdoor locations. Over time, plants lose their lower leaves revealing bare stems. Genus name comes from the Greek word drakaina meaning a female dragon. Specific epithet means fragrant. ‘Lemon Lime’ leaves (to 2’ long) are sword-shaped, featuring a mixture of cream, greenish-yellow and lime stripes. Plants typically mature to 5-10’ tall. Each plant develops a tree-like stem with foliage on top.
Tolerances
- Drought
Potential Problems
Keep an eye out for common houseplant pests such as spider mites, thrips, and scale; regular inspection is key to early intervention. Browning on the leaves signals a cultural issue: leaves may brown if soils become too moist or too dry, indicating inconsistent watering. Leaf spot diseases can also become problematic under poor air circulation. A common aesthetic issue involves leaf tips turning brown, which can be a symptom of low humidity, incorrect lighting, or high concentrations of water additives like chlorine. Using distilled, reverse osmosis, or rainwater often resolves tip browning related to water quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Striped dracaena suitable for?
Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Lemon Lime’ is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12.
How large does Corn plant grow?
As a container plant, this variety typically reaches a height of 5 to 10 feet, with a spread of 3 to 5 feet.
What sun exposure does Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Lemon Lime’ need?
This plant requires part shade for optimal foliage color; too much direct sun will negatively impact its leaf variegation.
When does Striped dracaena bloom?
It is considered a seasonal bloomer, with flowers noted as being yellow when they do occur.
Conclusion
The robust structure and vibrant, easy-to-maintain foliage make the Striped dracaena a cornerstone houseplant for both novice and experienced interior decorators. Whether you call it Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Lemon Lime’ or simply Corn plant, its low maintenance and tropical flair offer undeniable value. Before planting, confirm your local hardiness zone or ensure you have bright, indirect light if growing indoors year-round.
Companion Planting
Since Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Lemon Lime’ prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil and part shade, companion plants should share similar cultural needs to thrive in the same container or shaded grouping. Excellent companions for containers include peace lilies (Spathiphyllum), which also enjoy humidity and indirect light, and cast iron plants (Aspidistra elatior), which share its tolerance for lower light levels. In shaded garden beds in tropical climates, consider pairing the height of the Striped dracaena with shade-loving ferns or hostas (where zones permit) that offer contrasting textures.
Design Ideas for Indoor Spaces
The vertical habit of the Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Lemon Lime’ makes it an outstanding architectural anchor in interior design schemes. Use a single, mature specimen to break up the visual lines of high ceilings or large blank walls. For a lush, layered look often associated with tropical jungles, place several pots of varying sizes around a central piece, ensuring the light-colored leaves are positioned where ambient indoor light can catch the stripes. Smaller pots can be elevated on stands to create tiered interest, helping to direct the eye upward toward the vibrant variegation.
