Dracaena fragrans Lemon Surprise - Dragon tree

The Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Surprise', also known as Dracaena deremensis 'Lemon Surprise', is a variety of Dragon Tree particularly attractive for its colourful foliage. Its long leaves combining dark and lime green are beautifully arched, and the successive layers of vegetation overlap in a highly aesthetic pattern. This bright plant has no equal in lighting up a room and giving it a tropical touch. Very easy to grow, you'll keep it for many years.

The Dracaena now belongs to the Asparagaceae family. There are dozens of Dracaena species, mainly found in Africa and Southeast Asia, but also more marginally in China, Central America, Australia, etc. The Dracaena fragrans species sometimes called Cordyline fragrans is native to tropical Africa where it can be found from sea level up to 1,500 metres' altitude. It thrives in dry lowland forests or mid-elevation montane zones where its dense vegetation covers significant ground. It grows into bushes up to 6 m tall with stems that are generally herbaceous or semi-woody of 2.5 to 10 cm in diameter, and rarely ramified. The leaves are long, lanceote, and tapered, measuring 30 cm to 1 m in length, and the plant produces inflorescences up to 60 cm long. These are formed of small white-yellow flowers of 2 cm in size which open at night, releasing a strong fragrance, and after fertilisation, producing small orange to red fruits of 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter.

The Dragon Tree Lemon Lime exhibits much more moderate growth, making it suitable for our homes as it will reach a maximum height of 2 m with age, but will most often stay around 1.20 m tall and 50 to 60 cm wide. The plant initially forms a small, palm-like clump with slender, gracefully arched leaves. Measuring 20 to 30 cm or more in length, the narrow, lancote leaves have a dark green central part, often bordered with two white lines, while a wide light green margin, ranging from yellow-green to chartreuse, covers the entire edge of the lamina. This colour harmony is particularly bright and pleasing to the eye. As the plant grows, it forms different layers of vegetation and stems develop at varying heights, creating an extremely decorative tiered effect. However, don’t expect it to flower, as this rarely happens indoors. When it does, the flowering consists of small, highly fragrant, cream-white, star-shaped flowers.

The Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime' is the archetypal beginner's plant, adapting to most indoor environments. A temperature range of 18°C to 24°C suits it perfectly, in not over-dry but not necessarily humid ambient air. It tolerates bright light without direct sunlight and can also cope with lower light conditions, though its growth will slow. To create a tropical haven, pair it with other vibrant flowering exotic plants such as the Guzmania, a Bromeliad resembling a small pineapple with a red, pink, or yellow heart depending on the variety. A beautiful Anthurium with striking spathes (the colourful part of the flower) will also make a great companion to enhance the exotic feel in your room.