Corn Plant
Dracaena fragrans
An evergreen shrub featuring single or multiple woody canes with long, arching, glossy green strap-shaped leaves that can display lighter green or yellow stripes.
- Light
- Bright, indirect light, approximately 4 to 6 hours per day. Avoid direct harsh sunlight which can scorch the leaves.
- Water
- Water thoroughly when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil become dry. Drought tolerant for short periods, but sensitive to over-watering and standing water, which can cause root issues. Brown leaf tips can indicate sensitivity to fluoride or chlorine in tap water.
- Growth
- Upright evergreen perennial shrub with a slow to moderate growth rate. Reaches heights of 4 to 6 feet indoors, and up to 15 feet or more in its native outdoor habitat.
Care instructions
Provide bright, indirect sunlight and allow the top few inches of soil to dry completely between waterings. Use a well-draining potting mix and feed lightly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the spring and summer growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Bright, indirect light, approximately 4 to 6 hours per day. Avoid direct harsh sunlight which can scorch the leaves.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil become dry. Drought tolerant for short periods, but sensitive to over-watering and standing water, which can cause root issues. Brown leaf tips can indicate sensitivity to fluoride or chlorine in tap water.
Soil
Rich, loose, well-draining potting mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 6.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 10 to 11 when grown outdoors; primarily cultivated as a houseplant in cooler regions.
Growth habit
Upright evergreen perennial shrub with a slow to moderate growth rate. Reaches heights of 4 to 6 feet indoors, and up to 15 feet or more in its native outdoor habitat.
Bloom season
Rarely blooms indoors. When grown mature outdoors, it produces clusters of fragrant, small white or yellowish flowers on long panicles, typically in late spring or summer.
Propagation
Propagated easily through stem cuttings or cane sections placed in moist potting medium or water until roots develop, best done in spring or early summer.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. Leaf tip browning is common and usually caused by low humidity, underwatering, or chemical sensitivity to tap water.
Similar species
Dracaena deremensis, which features narrower leaves and distinct white striping, and Dracaena marginata, which has very narrow, needle-like leaves with reddish-purple margins.