4" Dracaena 'Lemon Surprise'

A native throughout Africa, and a member of the Agavaceae family, Dracaena 'Lemon Surprise' is a slow growing plant that can potentially reach 5-7 feet tall indoors. It earned its name from the striped neon yellow and green leaves, which grow from the center and have a fun little twist that gives it a little character.

It is a beautiful cultivar with long green leaves which range from yellow to chartreuse in the outer edges. It is a great choice for low to moderate lit areas but will also do well in brightly lit areas. It will do well in bright indirect light but too much direct light can damage the leaves. Water when dry, brown tips on the leaves may indicate either overwatering or under watering.

How to Care for your Dracaena 'Lemon Surprise'

• Light: Place your Dracaena where it will receive medium to bright indirect light. Too much direct sun will scorch and pale the leaves, while very dim light can cause leggy growth and browning. If your windows face South or West, be sure to place the plant behind sheer curtains or far enough removed from the window that the plant is out of the direct stream of light.
• Water:  The easiest way to tell if your Dracaena needs water is to feel the soil. If the soil is dry below the top 2″ then your plant is ready for a drink. Before giving your plant a drink, it is best to check the moisture level in the soil first to ensure it isn’t moist right beneath the surface. Also, consider aerating the soil of your plant before the initial watering. Aerating can help the soil breathe and allow moisture to be released.
• Soil: The Dracaena 'Lemon Surprise' prefers its soil to dry slightly between watering. If the soil remains too wet or too dry you will commonly see brown tips on the leaves. Feel the soil of your plant once a week; if the top 1-2” is dry then your plant is ready for a drink. If the top 1-2” is still moist, then check back in a few days.
• Re-potting: For smaller desktop plants, we suggest repotting once every 12-18 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 1-2” larger in diameter to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plant's roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, re-pot into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time to re-pot as the plant is at its strongest. For larger floor plants, we suggest repotting every 18-24 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 2-4” larger in diameter to allow for growth, unless you want to maintain its size.
  
• Toxicity: Dracaena is toxic to pets and humans when ingested. Ingestion may cause mild oral and gastrointestinal irritation resulting in mild drooling, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. If you have a pet, it is highly recommended to keep this plant out of reach.
• Additional tip: Dracaenas are effective air purifiers, according to NASA. They've been found to remove volatile organic compounds from the air, increasing the surrounding air quality as well as your productivity and health.