Dracaena Limelight Care

Dracaena Limelight is a stunning perennial plant with the ability to survive the blackest of thumbs. A native to tropical Africa, the Dracaena Limelight grows a sturdy cane-like stem that adds an architectural advantage to its whimsical foliage. It’s also commonly referred to as a corn plant, since its foliage resembles the leaves of a cornstalk. Younger specimens will have a single unbranched stem system with many tiny leaves at the growing tip. For all its bold and dramatic look, the Dracaena Limelight is one of the easiest and most forgiving indoor plants to grow, with the added advantage of cleaning up your air.

General

Dracaenas are certified by NASA as natural air purifiers that can effectively clean benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and carbon dioxide from the air.

With an ability to tolerate lower lights, they make an ideal choice for decorating your office.

When grown indoors, this slow-growing plant can reach up to 15 meters in height.

Sunlight

Your Dracaena Limelight will thrive in low to bright indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves.

Placing your plant in lower light will help maintain its signature lime colour.

Plant growth may start to decline at temperatures below 13ºC.

Watering

As your Dracaena Limelight is sensitive to root rot, you must only water your plant only when the soil’s top half is dry. This may amount to watering once or twice a week in summer.

Your Dracaena Limelight prefers to be watered with room-temperature water.

Avoid fluoridated water, as fluoride can cause discolouration of the leaves.

Your Dracaena Limelight does good in average humidity but will appreciate the occasional misting.

Soil

Dracaena Limelight grows well in the loamy, well-draining, organically rich soil mixture. A well-aerated and draining soil is considered best for your plant with a pH of around 5-6.

Fertiliser

Your Dracaena does not require fertilizers to thrive, but it can enhance their growth. In summers and autumn, you can feed your plant once a month with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half strength.

However, you must withhold the use of fertilizers during the autumn and winter season.

Toxicity

Dracaena Limelight can cause vomiting, mouth and stomach irritation. Hence, it is not suitable for spaces with pets and children.

Additional Care

Your Dracaena Limelight being a hardy plant, is not particularly prone to pests or diseases, apart from the common houseplant pests such as scale, mealybugs, and spider mites. Clean your plant regularly to keep them away.

New leaves grow from the top, and as the plant grows, it is normal for the leaves at the bottom to fall off. If your plant becomes too tall, you can prune the top off with a pair of sharp pruning shears or scissors.

Repotting may be required every two to three years in a slightly larger pot.