Dracaena fragrans, also known as corn plant, is an easy to care for houseplant that is great for beginners that don't know where to start and want something beautiful, green, and easy to care for.
They are easy to find and come in different sizes, so it is easy to find Dracaena fragrans that will fit your space.
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Family: | Asparagaceae |
|---|---|
Genus: | Dracaena |
Species: | D. fragrans |
Common Names: | Corn Plant, Cornstalk Dracaena |
Location: | Indoor and Outdoor |
Type: | Houseplant, Outdoor plant in tropical regions |
Growth: | 6' high |
Sun Requirements: | Shade-sun |
Foliage Color: | Green |
Hardiness Zones: | USDA 10-11 |
Maintenance Level: | Low |
Poisonous for Pets: | Toxic |
Introducing Dracaena fragrans
Dracaena fragrans are native to tropical regions in Africa. They are a slow growing, upright plant that makes an ideal houseplant. Technically a corn plant can grow up to 50' in height.
However, that is not something to worry about, typically indoors they will max out at 6'. But even that seems quite tall. The 3-4' height range is most likely for indoor grown Dracaena fragrans.
They can be grown outdoors in tropical locations, or they can be brought outside in the summer for cold climates.
Dracaena fragrans Varieties
There are many different varieties of Dracaena fragrans. They all like basically the same conditions, so pick any of these varieties. The only small difference to keep in mind is that the lighter green ones do tolerate more sun than darker foliaged ones.
Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’
This a classic variety of Dracaena fragrans, featuring the large woody canes with spiky arched green foliage. The leaves are medium green, with a large lemon stripe down the center. This is a common one that can be found easily.
Dracaena fragrans ‘Lindenii’
‘Lindenii’ is similar to ‘Massangeana’ with its large stalks and arching foliage. However the foliage color is slightly different, It has a medium green center with a greenish white margin.
Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’
Source: plantingman.com
Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’ is a spike style dracena that looks more like a grass, or a traditional dracena that goes in the center of container arrangements.
It has beautiful glossy leaves that have medium green leaves, with a white pinstripe down the center, and the beautiful lemon gold margins. The foliage on this one is very striking.
Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’This a classic variety of Dracaena fragrans, featuring the large woody canes with spiky arched green foliage. The leaves are medium green, with a large lemon stripe down the center. This is a common one that can be found easily. | |
Dracaena fragrans ‘Lindenii’‘Lindenii’ is similar to ‘Massangeana’ with its large stalks and arching foliage. However the foliage color is slightly different, It has a medium green center with a greenish white margin. | |
Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’‘Lemon Lime’ is a spike style dracena that looks more like a grass, or a traditional dracena that goes in the center of container arrangements. It has beautiful glossy leaves that have medium green leaves, with a white pinstripe down the center, and the beautiful lemon gold margins. The foliage on this one is very striking. | Source: plantingman.com |
In-depth Guide to Growing Corn Plant
Almost every garden center around will have Dracaena fragrans for sale. They are very popular and easy to come by. Also, as a bonus they are relatively inexpensive. This is the best way to get the perfect plant that will fit in your space.
Propagating Corn Plant from Cuttings
Dracaena fragrans will also root from a cutting. Cut the top of an existing dracena to create a new one. The top of the old one will regrow. Cut with sharp clippers where the stem is still green.
Then dip the end in rooting hormone and place in evenly moist soil. The dracena will soon make roots and continue growing.
Sun Requirements
Dracaena fragrans will tolerate a variety of light conditions. As a houseplant, ideally it likes bright indirect light. But it will tolerate shade. The dracena will bend towards the sun and grow a bit crooked if it is in too low light conditions. It can be spun around to even it out.
Keep in mind that the brighter green varieties, like ‘Lemon Lime’, will require more sun than darker leaved varieties. If it is grown outdoors it will definitely need some protection from the hot afternoon rays. As an annual outside, it will prefer a shady location.
A sign of too much sun will be burned, bleached out, crispy leaves. Too little sun and the leaves will be smaller and spindly looking, and reaching towards the light. Try and find the sweet spot to place the Dracaena fragrans that is not too sunny, and not too dark.
Soil Requirements
Light sandy soil that is amended with lots of organic matter is best for Dracaena fragrans. For growing as a houseplant use a good quality potting soil, it will have all the nutrients and drainage it needs. Adding a top dressing of worm castings at the beginning of the growing season (spring) will make it even happier.
Humidity
Not really an issue with corn plants. It's not necessary to go out and purchase anything specific or add trays of water with pebbles near it. Generally the relative humidity at home is fine (if your house is really dry, boiling pots of water or adding a humidifier is good for yourself as well as your plants).
Don’t place Dracaena fragrans near a heat vent that is constantly blowing dry and hot air at it. Having no need for special humidity is another reason it's a great low maintenance houseplant.
Caring for Corn Plant
Water Requirements
Dracaena fragrans is a good low maintenance house plant because it can go long periods between waterings. Definitely don't over water it. Wait until the soil dries out, test by sticking a finger in it should be dry to your middle knuckle.
If possible, the best way to water is to bring the whole plant over to the sink or tub and soak it and let the water run through (always choose pots with drainage holes in the bottom). Let the water drain off and then return it to its location.
If that isn't an option, just make sure you're giving it a good watering and let the excess drain onto a tray or dish that's underneath it and discard the excess (don't let it sit in standing water). Water less in the winter months and more in the summer months.
Fertilizing Corn Plant
They do like rich organic matter in the soil. Adding a top dressing of worm casting in the spring is great for caring for Dracaena fragrans. But if that sounds too messy, use an all purpose liquid fertilizer (20-20-20) every second watering in the active growing months, Spring-Fall. Or try a worm casting tea to add nutrients without the mess.
Designing Your Cornstalk Dracaena
These are really eye-catching plants, especially the large caned varieties like 'Massangeana' which will fill a space and have presence in a room.
Sometimes having a whole bunch of smaller plants can look busy and cluttered, whereas a large corn plant can bring greenery and while looking neat and put together in a space. The tall structural element Dracaena fragrans brings is also great, especially in a modern design.
The smaller Dracaena fragrans like 'Lemon Lime' and 'Lemon Surprise' actually make great dracena spikes in shady pots. Every summer pot seems to have a regular dracena spike.
Try mixing up shade pots by adding a really vibrant colored Dracaena fragrans. It has a tropical vibe with that classic dracena spike look. Pair it with begonias and ivy to complete it.
Common Corn Plant Pests and Diseases
If Dracaena fragrans is growing in its ideal conditions, that is to say bright indirect light, fluffy rich soil, and watered sparingly (but thoroughly after it dried out), it rarely has problems.
If pests do appear, it is most likely the usual suspects. They are spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids.
Spider mites will create webbing on the leaves and will have little spider-like bugs running up and down these networks of webs. It will also make the leaves have a mottled appearance.
Mealybugs will appear as little bits of fuzz on the underside of the leaf. Aphids will be hiding in clusters in the little nooks and folds of the leaves of the Dracaena fragrans.
The first thing that can be done is to physically remove the pests. Run a tissue along the leaves and gather the pests. Or take the hose or showerhead to the plant and give the leaves a good hard spray. This can keep them at bay.
If that doesn’t work, it is time to get the spray. Use a neem oil based insecticidal spray and use it once a week on the Dracaena fragrans until the problem resolves. For mealybugs, using a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and running it over the leaves will also work.
Dracaena fragrans rarely suffers from disease. The one thing it can get is root rot. This is a direct result of over watering. If the can is mushy and the leaves are yellowing, check the soil to see if it is damp.
The plant will have to be removed from the pot and the dead roots and the mushy cane will have to be removed. Repot into a new fresh potting mix.
Dracaena fragrans Frequently Asked Questions
Do Dracaena fragrans need sunlight?
Yes, it actually prefers bright, indirect sunlight. However the beauty of Dracaena fragrans, is that it tolerates a wide variety of sun conditions just fine.
It just won’t grow as quickly in less bright environments (which might actually be a good thing depending on your space).
How often should I water my Dracaena fragrans?
Do not over water. Maybe every week, or every second week depending on container size and light conditions. Use your finger and check, the soil should be dry up to your first knuckle at least before you water. When in doubt, don’t water.
Can Dracaena fragrans be outdoors?
Yes, if you live in a frost free area of the country, they are great outdoor plants to grow in the garden. For anyone that does live in an area with frost and winter, it can grow as an annual.
It likes less sun when it is outside as an annual, but it looks great in a container with flowers growing around the base of it.
Should I cut the brown tips off my Draceana?
Yes, cut them off at an angle so they match the other leaves.
Interested to add more Dracaena species in your home? See our growing guides below:
Add Graceful Beauty of Dracaena fragrans in Your Home
Dracaena fragrans is a very popular plant, and for good reason. It is simple, and striking. It provides structure and greenery, and rarely has any problems with pests and disease. It thrives on neglect.
For anyone who cannot keep a plant alive, try Dracaena fragrans, it is a perfect plant for beginners. For the houseplant enthusiast, it is still a great choice because of its unique foliage and ability to grow in a variety of light conditions.