Dracaena Lemon Surprise

With its bursts of yellowish-green leaves twisting about in every direction, the Dracaena Lemon Surprise is a tropical houseplant that will add plenty of vibrant energy to any home.

 

This is the perfect plant for beginners getting into gardening or for people with an established green thumb. Let’s take a closer look at the Dracaena Lemon Surprise, its origin, how to care for this plant, its benefits, and much more.

 

What is a Dracaena Lemon Surprise?

The Dracaena Lemon Surprise is a magnificent plant native to the tropical regions of Africa. With yellow/green infused leaves, the Dracaena is known by a handful of names related to its colors, such as:

 

• Lemon Lime Dracaena
• Lemon Lime Warneckii
• Dragon Blood Tree

 

The scientific name for this plant is the Dracaena deremensis. The Lemon Surprise’s leaves stagger all around it, and the plant needs minimal care. It is known to survive through most living conditions and is even drought-resistant. Below are some of the plant’s specific care requirements.

 

 

Size

Depending on where you place your Dracaena Lemon Surprise, your plant may vary in size. This plant is usually a medium-sized plant that grows somewhere between 4 to 6 feet tall. But there are some instances where this plant can reach 20 feet tall.

 

The leaves of the Lemon Surprise Dracaena can grow about 2 feet in length.

 

Lighting

The Lemon Surprise Dracaena is relatively easy to please in regards to lighting. They prefer bright indirect light to maintain their brilliant, colorful leaves. A shady spot is also excellent for this beauty. Placing this plant near a partially shaded eastern windowsill is ideal and will bring about the brightest and vibrant leaves possible.

 

If placed in a place where they receive too much direct sunlight, the leaves may fade colors and become thin and wrinkled. Fluorescent lighting like that found in office buildings or atriums is also suitable for the Lemon Surprise Dracaena.

 

Watering

The Lemon Surprise Dracaena is drought-tolerant but likes to stay slightly moist. The amount of water can affect the color of the leaves. If there are too many yellow leaves, the plant is too wet. When there are brown tips on the leaves, the plant is too dry.

 

You can tell if your Lemon Surprise plant is receiving enough water from the weight of the container. If the pot is heavy and the foliage is growing upright, this is a good indication that your plant is fine on water. It is better not to over-water your plant because this can lead to leaf damage or kill your plant.

 

Temperature

Because the Dracaena Lemon Surprise is native to the tropical areas of Africa, this plant is used to heat. Typically, the Dracaena plants like basking in warm temperatures between 70° to 75° Fahrenheit. This plant can survive hotter conditions, but anything below 55° Fahrenheit can be fatal.

 

Feeding

For the Lemon Surprise, a foliage fertilizer should work perfectly. This fertilizer will help provide your plant with the nutrients it needs to grow at a healthy rate no matter its environment.

 

Why Choose a Dracaena Lemon Surprise Plant for Your Home?

As with any houseplant, there are several potential benefits you may experience just by having your plant inside your home. For the Lemon Surprise Dracaena, there are a few benefits ranging from cleaning the air you breathe to making you more productive. Let’s take a closer look.

 

Air Purification

One of the best reasons to adopt a houseplant is because they are an excellent source of clean air. Imagine purchasing a Lemon Surprise and instantly feeling a burst of purified air in your home. A study conducted by Harvard showed that indoor plants could convert toxic elements from the air into clean, breathable air.

 

The breath of fresh air that comes with plants is due to their ability to absorb pollutants in the air, changing them into nutrients the plant uses to grow. Toxins such as xylene, toluene, and carbon dioxide are taken from the air and converted into oxygen that we can breathe. So if you are looking for a way to purify and revitalize the air inside your home, picking up a few Dracaena Plants may do the trick!

 

Reduces Stress

Another fantastic benefit of having houseplants is they can immensely reduce your stress levels. Studies have shown that having indoor plants can help people be more productive to finish more tasks, keep focused, and be more relaxed.

 

In this specific study, an experiment was conducted to see how effective two groups of people can perform a computer task. One of the groups performed the task with plants in the room, while the other did the same task without any plants present. The study concluded by showing that the group that had the plants in the room could finish the task quicker and more efficiently than the other group. They also showed fewer signs of stress and even lower blood pressure levels.

 

More Creativity

In addition to completing tasks more efficiently, having plants around such as the Lemon Surprise Dracaena can also boost your creativity. Having plants in your home can help your brain develop new ways to communicate and express your emotions. Houseplants can help you find new ways to approach a situation and fresh ideas you may not have thought of before!

 

Are Dracaena Lemon Surprise Plants Good Indoors & Outdoors?

The Dracaena Lemon Surprise is well suited for both indoor and outdoor environments. Depending on where you live and the typical weather you receive, your Lemon Surprise should thrive in almost any situation.

 

When outside, Dracaena plants enjoy warm weather ranging from 70° to 75° Fahrenheit. Because they are native to the tropical regions of Africa, they are used to the heat. However, they do not like being in direct sunlight. If they are in the sun for too long, the leaves will begin to lose colors and may start to wilt away. Always keep your Lemon Surprise in a nice, shady area where they can experience some indirect sunlight.

 

If you place your Dracaena plants inside your home, keeping them in an area where they can receive plenty of indirect light is preferred. Because they enjoy sitting in the heat, it is best to keep your Lemon Surprise away from any drafts and air conditioning units.

 

 

Are Dracaena Lemon Surprise Plants Pet and Children Friendly?

Unfortunately, the Dracaena Lemon Surprise is toxic to both pets and children. Dracaena plants contain a chemical compound known as saponin, which is toxic to dogs, cats, and little kids. If you find your dog or cat eating any of the leaves, this can result in vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and other symptoms.

 

It is best to keep this plant away from your furry friends and your little kids at all costs to avoid these situations. If your pet gets into this plant, you should immediately take them to the vet sooner rather than later.

 

Dracaena Lemon Surprise Plant Family Relatives
The Dracena Lemon Surprise is part of the Asparagaceae plant family. They are known for their flowering plants and come in a wide range of colors and sizes. There are 114 genera with about 2,900 different species in this family.

 

Plant Types That Are Similar to the Dracaena Lemon Surprise Plant
There are a handful of other beautiful Dracaena plants that you can find if the Lemon Surprise is not your style. Here are some of the most popular Dracaenas you can choose from:

 

• Arborea
• Draco
• Massangeana
• Reflexa
• Warneckii

 

Final Thoughts – Dracaena Lemon Surprise

Overall, the Dracena Lemon Surprise is packed with plenty of surprises, with its yellowish-green leaves and natural beauty. The Lemon Lime is easy to care for, making it an excellent choice for any beginner gardener. And of course, there are plenty of benefits to having a houseplant like the Dracaena, such as air purification and boosting your creativity.

 

Check out Planted Pot’s online shop to look at our wide variety of plants available today!