Lemon Lime Dracaena Identification Guide
Identify the Lemon Lime Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime') by its vivid chartreuse and green longitudinally striped strap leaves.
Read the full Lemon Lime Dracaena encyclopedia entry →
Key Identifying Features
The Lemon Lime Dracaena is a striking cultivar of Dracaena fragrans with bright chartreuse (yellow-green) and dark green lengthwise stripes running the full length of each strap leaf. The neon coloring is its signature.
- Vivid lemon-yellow/lime stripes with darker green centers
- Long, arching sword-shaped leaves
- Striping runs lengthwise (longitudinal) along the leaf
- Upright cane habit like other Dracaena fragrans
Leaves & Stems
Leaves are broad straps up to about 2 feet long, arching gracefully outward. Each leaf shows alternating bands of bright chartreuse along the margins and a greener center, with thin white pinstripes between the color zones, giving an electric glow in good light. New leaves are the brightest; older leaves deepen.
Leaves cluster in a rosette around a thickening cane. As lower leaves shed, the cane reveals the typical ringed leaf scars. Plants are often sold as upright bushy specimens or staggered canes.
Flowers & Fruit
Flowering indoors is uncommon. The species can produce dense, very fragrant white flower clusters on a stalk, occasionally followed by berries, but Lemon Lime is grown almost exclusively for its colorful foliage.
How to Tell It Apart from Look-Alikes
- Warneckii dracaena: Has white/gray-and-green stripes that are cooler-toned; Lemon Lime is unmistakably yellow-green and brighter.
- Janet Craig: Solid dark green with no stripes; Lemon Lime is heavily striped.
- Corn plant ('Massangeana'): Has one central yellow stripe with green margins; Lemon Lime reverses and multiplies this, with yellow margins and a green center.
- 'Sol' or other bright cultivars: Lemon Lime's specific neon chartreuse-with-white-pinstripe pattern is distinctive.
Where You'll Find It
A popular home and office foliage plant used to add bright color in medium indirect light. Native to tropical Africa. Like other dracaenas it dislikes fluoridated water and dry air, which cause brown tips.
Quick ID Checklist
- Bright chartreuse/lime stripes along leaf margins
- Darker green leaf center, fine white pinstripes
- Long arching sword-shaped leaves
- Rosette around a ringed cane
- Upright, bushy or cane-form habit
If the strap leaves glow with lengthwise lime-yellow and green stripes, you are looking at a Lemon Lime Dracaena.
Frequently asked questions
How is Lemon Lime different from Warneckii?
Both are striped Dracaena fragrans cultivars, but Lemon Lime has warm, bright chartreuse-and-green stripes, while Warneckii has cooler white/gray-and-green stripes. The yellow-green glow distinguishes Lemon Lime.
Which way do the stripes run?
Lengthwise (longitudinally), running the full length of each strap-shaped leaf, with bright lime margins, a greener center, and thin white pinstripes between.
Is it the same plant as a corn plant?
It is the same species, Dracaena fragrans, but a different cultivar. The corn plant ('Massangeana') has one central yellow stripe, whereas Lemon Lime has bright yellow margins around a green center.
Why are my Lemon Lime's leaf tips browning?
Dracaenas are sensitive to fluoride and salts in tap water and to low humidity, which commonly causes brown leaf tips. Filtered water and higher humidity reduce the problem.