The Dracaena fragrans, commonly known as the African corn plant, is a popular houseplant prized for its attractive foliage reminiscent of sweet corn. Native to tropical Africa, this evergreen perennial shrub in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) is widely cultivated indoors for its ornamental value. Whether you're a seasoned plant enthusiast or just starting your leafy collection, understanding the basics of corn plant care will ensure your plant thrives.
About Corn Plants
The dracaena fragrans, or corn plant as you might know it, has been a popular ornamental houseplant since the mid-1800s, growing well in most indoor spaces. Indigenous to the African continent and islands in the Indian Ocean, corn plants can reach heights of up to 15 metres in the wild. Keep your indoor corn plant happy and fragrant white flowers could make an appearance for you.
Corn plant leaves come in a variety of shapes and colours. Both Mick’s and Nick’s leaves are slim, two-toned and pointy, but you can tell them apart because Nick’s leaves have light cream edges. Rick’s leaves are deep green and slightly rounder.
Are corn plants easy to care for? Their low maintenance watering schedule and tolerance for most light conditions make corn plants perfect for beginners. They’re easy to care for, doing well in a slightly shady corner, in your bathroom, or a few metres away from a window. Although not toxic to humans, make sure your pets don’t get too close as their leaves can make cats and dogs poorly when eaten.
Light Requirements
Dracaena prefer bright, indirect light. Consider placing your houseplant near an east-facing window. For south- or west-facing windows, filter bright sunlight through a sheer curtain. Corn plants can grow in most light conditions, just keep them away from harsh sunlight to avoid sunburn. They’ll also put up with a bit of shade if you’ve got a drab corner that needs a pop of colour, as long as some light can still reach them.
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- Keep it in bright to moderate, filtered light.
- Direct sun can burn the foliage, but if light levels are too low, the leaves will narrow.
Watering
Corn Plants thrive in soil that is moist, but never soggy. During active growth periods in the spring and summer months, water Corn Plants whenever the top 1” of soil feels dry. During fall and winter months, reduce watering to whenever the top 2” of soil become dry. Check your corn plant once a week and only water when the soil is completely dry. They’re used to hot, dry climates so corn plants don’t get very thirsty and prefer a break in between drinks. The bigger your plant is the more water it will need and their hydration levels can also depend on how hot and dry the season is.
Don’t forget to drain excess water from the bottom of the pot, your corn plant won’t enjoy having soggy roots.
Soil and Repotting
Most well-draining household potting mixes are suitable for Corn Plants. Standing water can quickly damage or kill a Corn Plant, so drainage is imperative. Corn Plant is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition.
Dracaena plants are slow to grow, so they do not need frequent repotting. If the plant becomes rootbound, move to a new pot that is about 2-3” larger, and fill with fresh potting mix. Lots of roots spilling out of the nursery pot means your plant’s growth is being restricted. To give the roots some space and help your plant to grow taller, change the pot to one that’s a couple of inches bigger. You should only need to do this every two or three years.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Corn Plant after it doubles in size or once a year-whichever comes first.
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Temperature and Humidity
Corn plants thrive in temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees F. Keep the temperature above 50 degrees F if possible. Most indoor temperatures are suitable for Dracaena. Plants may be damaged by drafts so keep them away from windows or air vents.
Sudden changes in temperature aren’t great for corn plants and they like to be kept between 15°C to 24°C. To avoid stressing your plant, keep it away from hot radiators and cold draughts.
Corn plants also love a bit of humidity which makes them great bathroom plants. If their home is in another room, don’t forget to mist their leaves every few days. Browning tips could be a sign that you need to mist more often.
Corn Plant enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. A humidifier may help to prevent leaf tip browning, especially in the winter when the house is heated.
Instead of misting, you can wipe your corn plant’s leaves with a damp cloth to keep them moist. Bonus, you're cleaning away any dust at the same time.
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Fertilizing
During active growth periods in the spring and summer, fertilize monthly with a liquid household plant fertilizer diluted to one-half strength. Corn Plant grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. During the spring and summer, give your corn plant a feed of liquid fertiliser once a month to boost its growth. Make sure to wash away the build-up of minerals in the soil by running your plant under a tap and letting all the water drain out of the drainage holes. Repeat this two or three times in the feeding months as extra minerals can cause the leaves to go yellow or brown.
Pruning
The top of the Corn Plant can be pruned to cap the plant’s height, if desired. Trim the top of the stem (“cane”) with sharp, clean shears at the preferred height. Wherever you cut will generate new leaves within a few weeks. Older leaves along the bottom of the plant will become yellow over time.
Pests and Diseases
Dracaena Corn Plants are susceptible to most common household plant pests and diseases. Check underneath leaves and along the trunk regularly for signs of pests as early treatment is the most effective. If you notice a white cottony mass, that can indicate mealybugs or soft scale. White, tan, or dark brown bugs attached to plant stalks and stems may be scale, which can pierce the plant and suck juices from it. If there are small brown or yellow spots on the leaves, sometimes accompanied by fine webs, this can be a sign of spider mites.
Most common pests can be treated with a steady stream of water. Rinse the affected area with a spray bottle or by holding it under running water. Allow the area to dry completely and check regularly to ensure the pests have not returned. If Corn Plants receive too much water and/or inadequate drainage, they may develop root rot. If you notice a foul odor or soft spot on the stem, stop watering your plant until the issue is resolved.
Light brown or red spots on leaves can be indicative of Leaf Spot Disease. If you notice these spots, immediately remove and discard infected leaves to help prevent the disease from spreading. If too many leaves become infected, the plant may die. If pests or diseases persist, they can eventually harm or even kill Dracaena fragrans plants.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If the leaves of your Dracaena develop brown tips, this could be indicative of underwatering or low humidity. Check soil more frequently, wetting it thoroughly whenever the top one to two inches feel dry. If you notice your Dracaena leaves turning brown, this is a more severe sign of underwatering. Check the plant every few days by poking a finger into the top few inches of soil. If the soil feels dry, thoroughly water your Dracaena until water runs out through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
Yellow leaves on a Dracaena generally indicate overwatering. While these plants require moist soil, they can be harmed by standing water, soggy soil, and/or improper drainage.
Toxicity
Yes, Dracaena fragrans is toxic to both cats and dogs. Keep this plant out of reach of any pets.
Flowering
It can be very challenging to get a Corn Plant to bloom when grown indoors, but if you are successful, the blooms are extremely rewarding. When Corn Plants bloom, they produce beautiful stalks of white or pink blooms that emanate a powerful fragrance. The flowers bloom for about a month, opening at dusk and falling off to make way for new buds to bloom the following evening. To encourage your Dracaena fragrans to bloom, ensure it receives appropriate light, water, fertilizer, and humidity.
Reviving a Dying Corn Plant
Though Corn Plants are extremely resilient, they will begin to suffer if given unfavorable conditions for too long. Ensure that your Dracaena receives adequate light, water, humidity, and temperature conditions to keep your plant healthy and help revive a dying Corn Plant. If signs of pests are present, use water or neem oil to gently remove the pests and cut off any affected areas.
How to Care for a Corn Plant ENGLISH GARDENS
Additional Tips
- Corn Plant can tolerate being far from a window and light source.
- It’s common for Corn Plant to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down.
- Corn Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-12. Corn plants can be grown outdoors year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 11 and 12.
- Corn Plant can be propagated by the stem method. Make a cut just above the node.
Cultivars
Numerous cultivars of the corn plant are available. The plain-green, wild-type is less commonly seen than those with white or lime-green longitudinal stripes on the leaves. The cultivar ‘Janet Craig’ has shorter leaves borne on more compact stems.
Uses
In tropical climates, cultivars of this species are used as landscape plants as specimens, filler, screens, or hedges.
Quick Care Guide
Here's a table summarizing the key care requirements for your African corn plant:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light |
| Water | Allow top 1-2 inches of soil to dry between waterings |
| Soil | Well-draining potting mix |
| Temperature | 70-80°F (21-27°C); keep above 50°F (10°C) |
| Humidity | Moderate to high; mist regularly |
| Fertilizer | Monthly during spring and summer with diluted fertilizer |
