Janet Craig Dracaena
Scientific Name: Dracaena fragrans 'Janet Craig'
Plant Family: Asparagaceae
Native Region: Tropical Africa
Brief Description
A popular evergreen houseplant with dark green, glossy, sword-shaped leaves that grow in a rosette pattern. Its leaves are wider and more leathery than many other Dracaena varieties, often with wavy edges.
Care Instructions
Thrives in low to medium indirect light; water only when the top half of the soil is dry; use well-draining potting mix and feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength.
Medicinal Value
We do not currently provide medicinal value for plant identifications.
Sunlight
Low to bright indirect light; avoid direct sunlight which can scorch the leaves. Ideally 4-6 hours of indirect light per day.
Watering
Moderate to low; water every 2-3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out significantly between waterings. Sensitive to fluoride, which can cause brown leaf tips.
Soil
Well-draining, peaty potting mix with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5.
Hardiness Zone
USDA zones 10-12; not frost-tolerant.
Growth Habit
Perennial evergreen; upright, cane-like growth; can reach 10-15 feet indoors if not pruned, but typically stays 3-6 feet.
Bloom Season
Rarely flowers indoors; if it does, it produces clusters of small, highly fragrant, white-to-creamy flowers typically in late spring.
Toxicity
Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested; contains saponins which cause vomiting, hypersalivation, and dilated pupils in cats; non-toxic to humans but may cause mild stomach upset if eaten.
Propagation
Easily propagated by top cuttings or stem sections (canes) placed in water or directly into moist soil.
Common Pests & Issues
Leaf tip burn from fluoride or salt buildup; mealybugs, spider mites, and scale; root rot if overwatered.
Similar Species
Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' (Corn Plant), which has a yellow stripe down the leaf center; Dracaena deremensis 'Lisa', which has narrower, even darker leaves and a more vertical habit.
Interesting Facts
The 'Janet Craig' cultivar was named after the daughter of a prominent Philadelphian nurseryman, Robert Craig, in the 1930s.
Created At: 2026-06-25T04:25:31.398081