TheDracaena fragrans — also named the maize plant — is a flowering plant species aboriginal to Africa . The corn plant is a pop decorative houseplant because it prosper in most indoor environments . spring up in low light or bright brightness , theDracaena fragransproduces glossy green foliage . The all-encompassing lanceolate leaves organize an attractive summit of arching leave of absence at the top of a woody stem , which gives the corn whisky works the appearance of a small tree . Also called corn stalk works or the well-chosen industrial plant , Dracaena fragranscan be grown in a shaded nook , bright elbow room , or function with only artificial Light Within .
How to Care forDracaena Fragrans– Overview
To care for the maize industrial plant grow it in loose , moist potting land that has good drainage . Dracaenaplants grow best in average humidity and a temperature range of 60 ° F to 75 ° F ( 15 ° hundred – 24 ° C ) . urine when the top column inch of soil is partially dry and feed every 3 weeks in the growing season .
Dracaena fragransgrows outdoors in USDA zones 10 and 11 . When ripe , these slow - growing shrub can uprise to 50 ft . ( 15 m ) . The long , tapering leaf can valuate 5 foot . ( 1.5 m ) long and 5 ” ( 13 cm ) wide . Growing indoors , corn plant reach up to 6 ft . high ( 1.8 m ) and are desirable as atall houseplant for your home .
Cornstalk Plants (Dracaena Fragrans) Flower
Cornstalk plant ( Dracaena fragrans ) flower occasionally indoors . But conditions indoors need to be ideal for the dainty white - chickenhearted flowers to blossom . Most people keep corn plant for their spiky foliation rather than their less than showy flowers .
Types of Dracaena Fragrans
moving-picture show of Dracaena fragrans ‘ Massangeana ’ . The corn works has the appearing of a belittled tree and it ’s on thelist of tall indoor industrial plant .
The most vernacular case of maize works is theDracaena fragrans‘Massangeana ’ ( also calledmass cane flora ) . This cultivar expand in bright light , and its glossy unripe foliage has a lime green or yellow stripe running the length of its center .
The other popular cornstalk plants are the cultivarsDracaena fragrans‘Lindenii ’ andDracaena reflexa‘Variegata . ’ These cultivar have burnished yellowish stripes on the leaf edge . Another attractive maize industrial plant is theDracaena fragrans‘Victoria . ’ This light - stem flora has leaves standardized to ‘ Massangeana , ’ only that they are short and more triangular - work .
Other pop types of corn plants are the ‘ Janet Craig , ’ which is an excellentlow - light indoor plant , Dracaena fragrans‘Lemon Lime , ’ and ‘ Warneckii . ’
How to Care for Dracaena Fragrans (Corn Plant)
AlthoughDracaenaplants seem to flourish on nonperformance , they have some care requirements to help them thrive . The most crucial factors when it derive to caring for Zea mays plant is to water them properly and get the firing right .
Please study on to find out more care tips for your spiky houseplant .
Light Requirements Growing Dracaena Fragrans Indoors
image of Dracaena fragrans ‘ Limelight ’ ( left ) and ‘ Lemon Lime ’ ( right )
The best place to grow a corn plant in is in a bright emplacement in your domicile that has some tad . Although manyDracaenacultivars arelow - brightness level houseplant , the variegated varieties involve bright , indirect sunlight . You ’ll also find that Zea mays plants grow faster when send in a gay office .
Variegated mintage ofDracaena fragransthrive on an east - facing windowsill . The early - cockcrow sunshine is n’t potent enough to cause foliage burn . In a elbow room confront Confederate States of America or W , keep the industrial plant a few feet aside from the window . TheDracaenacultivars with moody - green foliage thrive better in north - face elbow room or offices with artificial brightness .
Lighting circumstance can affect the plant ’s ontogeny pace . For model , when growing in thoroughgoing shade , the naturally slow growth of the plant can almost come to a halt . Also , brightly - color foliage on some specie may languish . If growing in direct sun for too long , the leaves will become discolored and wilt .
The Best Soil for Dracaena Fragrans
Dracaena fragrans ‘ Warneckei ’ ( leave , center ) and ‘ Janet Craig ’ ( right ) – Dracaenaplants need well - draining potting grunge with plentifulness of constitutional stuff
Potted corn whisky plants want loose , well - debilitate potting soil with plenty of organic material to thrive . Even though all species in the genusDracaenaare well-situated houseplants to like for , they ca n’t stand in swampy dirt . you could produce the gross potting medium by mixing potting soil , peat moss , and perlite .
The appropriate potting soil should earmark urine to enfeeble freely . The add-on ofperlite help to oxygenate the soiland improve drainage . The peat moss in loamy land impart all important nutrients to the grow medium and also retain just enough moisture . This type of soil helps to keep wet problems that can direct to solution rot .
How can you tell if your potting filth is right for corn plants ? A potting spiritualist that is too dense make water to pool on the surface . You may also find that water does n’t drain as chop-chop as it should in heavy soils . Two solutions can aid improve land drain :
How to Water Dracaena Fragrans
Dracaena fragrans ‘ Warneckei ’ has motley leafage with sinister greenish and pick leaves
How often should you irrigate corn stalk plants ? As a general rule , waterDracaena fragransas often as the top 1 ” to 2 ” ( 2.5 – 5 cm ) of soil dries out . Watering when the soil is partly dry prevents wet job in the pot . You also see that the roots are keep open systematically dampish .
The in effect way to weewee corn plants is to imbue the soil soundly and provide surplus water to debilitate . Before watering , it ’s good to let water sit in a jounce for 24 hour . This helpful lachrymation pourboire allow chemicals in tap body of water to vaporise and make less stress for your houseplants .
Also , water at room temperature is sound than glacial - cold tap piss for hydrate tropical indoor potted plants .
One of the most common mistakes to fend off if you desire yourDracaena fragransto thrive is to water on a schedule . corn whisky plant life — like to most houseplant — only need watering when the dirt partially dry out . It ’s always a near idea to check how dry or moist the soil is before deciding to water .
Temperature Requirements When Growing Dracaena Fragrans as a Houseplant
Dracaena fragrans ‘ Compacta ’
Corn flora expand in average room temperature between 60 ° F to 75 ° F ( 15 ° carbon – 24 ° degree Celsius ) . It is lively to keep the temperature as even as potential to avoid sudden fluctuations . Changes in temperature can cause the plants to be accentuate and affect their growth . attempt to keep plants out of dusty order of payment and aside from red-hot radiator .
Dracaena fragransgrow outdoors as long as the modal temperature is above 60 ° F ( 15 ° C ) . If you live in temperate climates , you’re able to take potted corn plants outside in summer . Keep the plant in a undimmed situation , but fill in from unmediated cheerfulness . get back indoors when the temperature drops below 50 ° atomic number 9 ( 10 ° C ) .
How Much Humidity Does Dracaena Fragrans (Corn Plant) Need?
Dracaena fragrans ‘ Lemon Lime ’ has vary leaves with lime greenish on the sides and darker immature in the center
ForDracaena fragransplants to thrive , purport for humidity stage between 40 and 50 percentage . So , corn industrial plant should thrive in average way humidness . dark-brown gratuity on the leaves mean you should increase air wet levels . Mist the plant life once a week or wipe the farewell with a dampish cloth .
One of the challenges when growingDracaenaplants indoors is keeping air humid in wintertime . Heating tends to dry out the aviation in the house . And , because corn plants need less watering in the winter , they can stick out from a lack of moisture . Therefore , pay attention to humidity levels in winter .
Some ways to increase humidness forDracaenasinclude :
Dracaena Fragrans Flowers
Flowers of Dracaena fragrans ‘ Massangeana ’
A ripe corn plant may flower indoors once in a while . The flowers grow on a tenacious branching panicle that produce whitish - pinkish bud . These buds blossom in the eventide and give off a strong fragrance . However , many plant owners cut back off flowering stems to help condense growth in the master works .
Corn Plant (Dracaena Fragrans) Growth Rate
All species ofDracaena fragranshave a slow growth charge per unit , even in ideal condition . Growing at a sluggish tempo , Zea mays plant life will last a farsighted time as an ornamental indoor plant without getting too big . The main factor affectingDracaena’sgrowth is wanton — plenty of bright indirect light encourages the good ontogenesis .
Fertilizer Needs for Dracaena Fragrans to Thrive
Dracaena fragrans ‘ lemon lime hydrate ’
Due to their modest growth rate , Indian corn plants do n’t need much fertilizer to thrive . produce in organically - rich grime provides plenty of nutrient . you’re able to promote ontogenesis by using a balanced smooth plant food monthly . You should only start the plant during the spring and summer — the growing months . Do n’t feed in winter .
It is vital to prevent a buildup of plant food salt in the potting soil . Too much plant food can stimulate white-livered leaves or brownish foliage tips — signs that can be mistaken for watering government issue . purge the dirt is one way to avoid a buildup of minerals . Here are the stone’s throw you need to flush the potting mix :
Dracaena Fragrans Propagation
Propagating Dracaena fragrans is done through stem cuttings
maize flora are easy to propagate . In time , cornstalk plant life become leggy as most of the foliage grows at the top of the root , render it a tree - corresponding show . The elbow room to propagate aDracaenaplant is to cut the woody stem into three small-arm . You will have the top surgical incision , the rootage section , and a middle part .
First , rationalise off the pennant , leaving about 5 ” ( 12 centimeter ) of the root . Plant the freshly - shorten stem in a pot with a refreshed , sterile potting commixture .
Second , hack the remain stem with the root system about one - one-half of its length . fresh ontogeny will appear at the excision section , eventually shape a fresh crown of spiky - look foliage .
Thirdly , you’re able to use the in-between department of the stem to propagate a new corn plant life . Allow the cut stem to dry for a few solar day . Then set the stem in a fresh potting medium , insure that the works is develop the same way up as before . Keep the dirt affectionate and moist to help the propagated stem take source .
Pruning Dracaena Corn Plants
It ’s not necessary to prune edible corn plants to encourage growth or a bushy visual aspect . The gloomy leaves naturally change by reversal yellow and set down off as the plant grows and matures . If the Indian corn plant set off to develop too tall , you’re able to clip the base back following the propagation method above .
How to Repot a Corn Plant (Dracaena Fragrans)
Dracaena fragrans cultivars with various variegated leaf
You may postulate to transmit a corn plant to a larger container every two to three geezerhood . Species ofDracaena fragransdon’t mind being slimly potbound . However , the flora ’s growth will become stunt if root fill the jackpot too much . To repot aDracaenasspecies , choose a container one or two size turgid than its current one .
To repot any character ofDracaena fragrans , this is what you should do :
Pests Affecting Dracaena Fragrans Growth
Dracaena fragrans ‘ Massangeana ’ leaf are yellowish or lime green in the eye and darker green on the sides
pest such as thrips , plate , and wanderer jot can infest corn plants . It ’s of the essence to get rid of houseplant pests as soon as possible . Otherwise , the infestation can become so bad that your works terminate up dying . If you noticesigns of plant bug , wipe the leaves with insecticidal soap or treat them with a neem crude solution .
For more information , please scan this article onhow to get free of pests from houseplants by nature .
Common Dracaena Fragrans Plant Diseases
Most disease that pretend corn flora are the event of overwatering . Plant origin that sit in waterlogged or overly damp land can rise fungal or bacterial diseases . These issues can cause sloughy stems , brown spots on leaves , and — eventually — end . To avoid doing irreparable damage to your plant , only body of water when the stain partly dries .
Overwatering can also causemold egress on plant grease . Although harmless , white plant cast can ruin the plant ’s show . Please read this clause to bump outhow to dispatch mildew from potting soil .
Is Dracaena Fragrans (Corn Plant) Toxic?
Dracaena fragransplants hold in poisonous substances that can harm pets such as cats and dogs . The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( ASCPA ) say that corn stalk plants ( Dracaena ) take toxic chemical chemical compound named saponins . If take , these can cause vomiting , unreasonable drooling in computed axial tomography , dogs , and horses . ( 1 )
FAQs About Growing Dracaena Fragrans (Corn Plant) Indoors
Can Dracaena Fragrans Plants Help Clean Indoor Air?
According to NASA research , many type of corn plant show the potential of filtering harmful chemical from the air . Thelist of clean - air plantsin NASA ’s survey includedDracaena massangeana , Dracaena marginata , andDracaena deremensis‘Janet Craig . ’ The research found that these works can help oneself remove indoor pollutants such as methylbenzene , methanal , and xylene . ( 1 )
How to save a dying Dracaena Fragrans
If your corn industrial plant look like it ’s die , it crucial to notice the source cause . Because this plant life is generally well-to-do to care for , the most common reason for feeble development is overwatering or pest problem . To help resuscitate a dyingDracaena fragrans , try repot it in a fresh potting admixture if redundant moisture has cause fungal diseases .
Why are corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) leaves turning yellow?
If the leaf lose their green color and become pale yellow , overwatering is unremarkably to blame . Too much soil moisture often make weak , wilted leaves and a soft , mushy bow . The safe manner to store your plant is to hold off watering until the top 2 ” ( 5 curium ) of ground dry out whole .
Why have leaves on my Dracaena fragrans got brown tips?
chocolate-brown tips on the pointed greenDracaenaleaves are due to lack of water or lack of humidness . Make certain and irrigate your clavus industrial plant as often as needed — when the soil is part wry . If the soil is moist , and you still get brown wind , try increasing humidity by mist the plant every other day .
Related articles :
