Corn Plant
Dracaena fragrans
An evergreen shrub featuring long, glossy, arching green leaves arranged in clusters along sturdy upright woody stems.
- Light
- Bright, indirect light for 6 to 8 hours per day; avoid direct sun to prevent leaf scorching.
- Water
- Water thoroughly every 1 to 2 weeks when the top soil becomes dry. Highly sensitive to overwatering and fluoride in tap water, which can cause brown leaf tips.
- Growth
- Perennial shrub with an upright, cane-like growth form, reaching mature indoor heights of 4 to 6 feet and spreads of 2 to 3 feet with a slow growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide bright, indirect sunlight and allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings. Use a well-draining potting mix and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Bright, indirect light for 6 to 8 hours per day; avoid direct sun to prevent leaf scorching.
Watering
Water thoroughly every 1 to 2 weeks when the top soil becomes dry. Highly sensitive to overwatering and fluoride in tap water, which can cause brown leaf tips.
Soil
Rich, loose, loamy potting soil with excellent drainage and a neutral to slightly acidic pH range of 6.0 to 6.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12, grown primarily as an indoor container plant in cooler climates.
Growth habit
Perennial shrub with an upright, cane-like growth form, reaching mature indoor heights of 4 to 6 feet and spreads of 2 to 3 feet with a slow growth rate.
Bloom season
Rarely blooms indoors; when grown outdoors in ideal tropical conditions, it produces fragrant, clustered white flowers on long panicles.
Propagation
Propagated easily through stem cuttings or cane sections placed in moist perlite or potting mix during the spring season.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to mealybugs and spider mites. Brown leaf tips are commonly caused by low humidity, underwatering, or chemicals present in tap water.
Similar species
Dracaena deremensis, which features narrower and stiffer leaves, and Dracaena marginata, which has very thin, red-edged leaves.