Dracaena Fragrans corn plant: Tips to grow and maintain

Dracaena fragrans is one of the most popular flowering houseplants. It can be grown indoors or in a container outside, and it’s easy to grow and maintain.

 

Source:  Pinterest

 

A native of tropical Africa, corn plants are slow-growing, broad-leafed, perennial shrubs. In the United States, they are usually grown as houseplants.

See also: All about dracaena fragrans

 

Dracaena fragrans: Quick facts

Botanical Name	Dracaena fragrans
Common Name	Corn Plant
Genus	Dracaena
Order	Asparagales
Family	Asparagaceae
Sub – Family	Nolinoideae
Life Cycle	Tropical Perennial
Mature Size	up to 12 feet tall
Cultivation	Tropical Africa
Benefits	Air purifying houseplant, tackles several health problems

 

Corn plant: Description

Source:  Pinterest

 

• Dracaena fragrans is a shrubby tree native to southern Africa and the Caribbean. 
• It has an upright habit, reaching up to 12 feet tall. 
• The leaves are green and can grow up to three feet long, with a toothed margin. 
• The flowers are small and white, with five petals which resemble those of a daffodil. 
• When it blooms, it produces a large number of small fruits that look like pineapples.

 

How to grow corn plant

The seeds should be soaked in room-temperature water for three to five days in order to promote germination. The seed starting mix must be moistened before seeding two to three seeds. The seed starting mix should be applied lightly over the seeds. Cover the pot with clear plastic wrap and place it on a warm, germinating mat. 

A fresh-cut stem cutting can also be planted in moist peat moss and watched for new leaves to sprout. The roots will likely grow, but you won’t be able to see them, unlike the clear water jar. Water roots the stem more effectively for propagation. The cutting end can be treated with a rooting hormone to increase its likelihood of rooting in the soil.

See also: Gardening ideas and tips for beginners

Corn Plant care guide

Light

Corn plant can grow in any light condition just that they cannot tolerate harsh sun. Do not let your Dracaena fragrans plants get too hot. They can handle temperatures up to 38 degrees Celcius for short periods. But it’s best not to let them sit in direct sunlight for long periods, or you’ll burn their leaves off. If possible, try to keep them out of direct sunlight as much as possible during warm weather months. But they’ll still need a little bit of direct sunlight on occasion.

Watering

Water frequently throughout the growing season, but be careful not to overwater. Once it has been established in favourable conditions, this plant can withstand drought. When planting outdoors in the ground, you may need to provide additional water during dry periods.

Humidity

40 to 50 percent humidity levels should be maintained for the Dracaena Fragrans plant, which is also its native environment and thus it grows well in such way. In case the humidity is not achieved, you can use a humidifier to increase the humidity. Alternatively, you can place the corn plant pot on a water tray with pebbles. However, note that the pot’s bottom shouldn’t touch the water as then there may be a case of root rot. You can also regularly mist the leaves of the Dracaena Fragrans plant.

Feeding

Dracaena fragrans needs very less plant food. Feed one or twice a year with fertilisers that may be diluted as too moo fertilisers can burn the leaf tips of the corn plant.

Temperature

The Dracaena Fragrans grow best in indoor temperatures between 15 degrees Celsius and 24 degree Celsius. This is a plant which doesn’t grow in extreme conditions. So, too much of sunlight or too much of cold will result in the plant wilting away.

Repotting

To repot the Dracaena Fragrans plant, lift the plant carefully by removing the soil around it and place it in a new container without doing any damage to its roots. Once done, fill the space in the pot with fresh soil but don’t pack it as then there will be issues related to draining of water leading to root rot etc.

Speed of Growth

Dracaena Fragrans plant is a slow growing plant and reaching more than 5 feet for the plant will also take it close to 10 years or more. It grows around half feet every year.

 

Source: Pinterest

Height / Spread

While the Dracaena Fragrans grows close to 20 feet in height in the outdoors, at home, in indoor condition, the plant grows to around 5 to 6 feet.

Flowers

Corn plant flowers grow from pink buds into white flowers that are in a bunch and these open mostly in the evening. The corn plant have good sweet fragrance and can fill the home and exist for 4 days to a week before the flower withers off.

While in case of an indoor plant, the stalk of a corn plant may be around a few inches in length, it can be around 35 inches also in case of an outdoor tree which may be large.

 Source: Pinterest

Pruning

To prune the Dracaena fragrans plant, cut the leaves that are close to the stem with garden scissors. You can also reduce the length of the leaves and give the plant a nice trim so that it grows better.

Propagating corn plants

It takes eight weeks for the process of propagating corn plants. Place the corn plant cuttings in water and allow roots to come. Once the roots are firm they will show resistance when you try to lift them. This is the right time to gently pick them and plant in a potted container.

Are corn plants poisonous?

The Corn Plant is a popular houseplant, but it is toxic to your pets, such as dogs and cats. Saponin, a chemical compound found in the Corn Plant is poisonous to your pets. But since it’s only mildly poisonous, your pets might recover quickly after ingesting the Corn Plant.

Maintenance tips for Corn plant

Dracaena fragrans have many different varieties, but they all have one thing in common. They are easy to care for and don’t need much attention. If you’re looking to grow your own Dracaena fragrans plant, here are some tips to get you started.

• Maintain well-draining soil and add plenty of organic fertilisers in the spring and summer. The ideal soil pH is 6.0-7.0, but they can tolerate acidic soils as well as alkaline ones. 

• For indoor growing, use potting soil with added fertiliser or compost. When planting outdoors in the ground, you may need to provide additional water during dry periods.  

• Do not let your Dracaena fragrans plants get too hot. They can handle temperatures up to 38 degrees Celcius for short periods. But it’s best not to let them sit in direct sunlight for long periods, or you’ll burn their leaves off. If possible, try to keep them out of direct sunlight as much as possible during warm weather months. But they’ll still need a little bit of direct sunlight on occasion.

• Keep an eye out for pests like caterpillars and aphids, which can be easily controlled with insecticidal soap spray or Neem oil treatment.

 

Uses of the Corn plant

Source:  Pinterest

 

• Dracaena fragrans is a beautiful, fragrant plant with a wide range of uses. It’s native to India and Sri Lanka, but can be grown in many climates. It’s commonly used as a houseplant or outdoor hanging planter.

• Dracaena fragrans has been used for centuries to treat a variety of disorders and ailments, including heart conditions, diabetes, headaches, high blood pressure, acne and more.

• It helps remove formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon dioxide from the air. Dracaena is a highly effective houseplant when it comes to air purification.

• Plants release moisture into the air through photosynthetic and respiratory processes. So, the air will be more humid because plants release 97% of their water. 

 

Source:  Pinterest

 

 

FAQs

What is the most effective way to care for dracaena fragrans?

Dracaena plants should never be placed in direct sunlight, as the sun's rays will scorch their leaves.

Does Dracaena grow well indoors?

Taking a few precautions will make growing Dracaena indoors extremely easy.

Dracaena fragrans live for how long?

They live for a period of two to three years.

What is the proper watering frequency for Dracaena fragrans?

The soil should be allowed to dry between the waterings of your dracaena. Water it once a week or every other week, keeping it at room temperature.