Corn flora are tough , simple to spring up , and they do n’t require any especial upkeep . In this post you ’ll learn all about how to take care of them indoors or out so you may have the safe success , and enjoy yours for decades to come .
If you ’ve ever mistreat groundwork in the houseplant surgical incision of any garden center field or big box shop , then you will most likely recognize the clavus flora .
They ’re easy to pick out because they look like … well , the vegetable plant that develop the corn we eat ! That is what grabs most people ’s tending , and causes them to do a three-fold take .
Lemon lime variety of Dracaena fragrans
There ’s no doubt that Dracaena fragrans is one of the most pop indoor plants on the market , and has been for decades .
I mean , who can resist that gorgeous all-inclusive , shiny , dark-skinned light-green foliation . Plus , they look great in offices or abode , are very exonerative , and can easily adapt to various indoor light options .
In this elaborated template , you ’ll teach all about corn plant tending , from how to provide the skilful H2O , light , and filth , to how to maintain a realizable size , and troubleshoot common job to keep them thrive .
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What Is An Indoor Corn Plant?
The corn flora , or Dracaena fragrans , is an evergreentropical plantnative to Africa . Its easy to care for , hardy nature has earned it the common name Happy Plant .
They feature thick , woody stems ( aka canes ) like in appearance topalm Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . The cane depart in thickness , lay out from very boney to 4 ” in diameter . maize plant are slow raise , but over sentence can get as tall as 6 ’ .
The brand - shape leaves are glossy , green , and form a russet scab pattern along the top of the stems , give them a pretty , superimposed arching look .
Different Types Of Corn Plants
There are several type of corn plant that you may grow . The most rough-cut is the ‘ Janet Craig ’ compacta with solid , deep green leaves .
Others include the blanched and green variegated ‘ Warneckii ’ , and the ‘ Massangeana ’ kind , which have yellow stripe down the center .
You might also need to try ‘ Lemon - Lime ’ , which features yellow-bellied or fluxing lime green margins around dark centers , or ‘ Limelight ’ with either solid wan unripened or yellowish leaves .
Though these varieties have dissimilar color patterns on the leafage , the care requirements are the same for all .
Dracaena Fragrans Flowers
corn whisky plants are most often grown for their foliage , but the ‘ fragrans ’ part of the name comes from the perfumed olfactory property they put off during blooming .
heyday shape on a central shuck that begins to appear in late fall or early wintertime . The circular pom pom work clusters contain several small white , tubular bud . When they open up , the star - shaped flower release a fresh fragrance at nighttime for up to 2 - 3 workweek .
Only mature works flower , and even then it ’s inconsistent . Some gardener have theirs for decades before a flower chaff appears , and others see them bloom consistently year after twelvemonth .
Dracaena Janet Craig Toxicity
regrettably for favorite owners , corn whisky plant are toxic to both cats and dogs according to theASPCA site .
So if you have one , it ’s beneficial to keep them out of ambit of favorite and small children , just in cause .
How To Grow Corn Plants
Before we chat about Dracaena fragrans care , first you need to know how to choose the good environs for get them . A good placement can avail yours thrive for X .
Related Post : Growing Plants Indoors – The Ultimate Guide
Hardiness
Though most corn plants are grow indoors in the US , they ’re really a perennial in zone 9 - 11 .
They prefer temperature ranges between 55 - 75 ° F . When it drops below that they ’ll start to suffer , and freeze weather will eventually kill them .
Where To Grow Dracaena Fragrans
Dracaena fragrans can be grown only as houseplant , or they can spend the give and summertime out of doors and be overwintered indoors .
They do well in containers , especially terracotta single that help wick away excess moisture . But they can get really tall and top - toilsome over metre , so choose a container accordingly to prevent them from tumble over .
Whether you keep them indoors or out , put them in a spot that is protected from the direct sun , or they can cauterize .
Corn Plant Care & Growing Instructions
With the perfect position in mind , it ’s time to con about how to care for corn flora . All the varieties can be run to in the same way .
Sunlight
One of the reasons Dracaena fragrans are so well - loved is that they ’re liberal of a wide range of wakeful conditions . They can live in low light indoor options , or bright , indirect light .
The difference is in growth rate . They ’re a slow flora anyway , but low illumination can all but halt it . In brighter configurations , they ’ll grow faster .
It ’s also better for variegated motley to have brilliant Inner Light , or even some direct pic to dribble morning or eve sunlight , for hold their color .
Outdoors , it ’s good to keep them in a shaded or partial sunlight field protect from the vivid afternoon light beam . unmediated sun exposure can cause sunburn or scorch on the leaves .
Water
Corn plants have average watering needs . They do n’t like to dry out , but too much moisture can lead to root bunkum , and mushy , brown , or scorch leaves .
springiness through summer , keep the soil evenly moist and water when the top inch is ironical . Allow the inordinateness to drain from the smoke so they ’re never forget sitting in water .
In the fall and wintertime they need less moisture , so water when the soil is dry several inch down . employ asoil wet gaugeto get it just right .
These plant can also be sensitive to cold water or chemical found in tap weewee . So you’re able to either let it sit out for 24 60 minutes , or apply either distilled or rainwater instead .
Humidity
They bear average home humidness very well . But for dry environment , a pebble tray of piddle , occasional misting , or wiping the leaves with a moist rag can help .
Using a damp fabric is also a great way to keep them unclouded and debris innocent . If they begin getting brown tips , then run ahumidifiernearby to increase the wet levels .
Fertilizer
Your Janet Craig compacta does n’t require even fertilizer . But like all plant , occasional feedings can facilitate induce growth and keep them goodish .
They can be sore to chemical , so I recommend using only natural or organic merchandise , rather than synthetic single .
utilise a diluted water system soluble fertilizer , likecompost teaor ageneral purpose one , once a month during the spring and summertime . Or you may top - garment them with agranular oneinstead .
Stop feeding them in tardy summer , and do n’t fertilise at all during the fall and winter month .
Soil
Corn plants are n’t picky , and ageneral purpose soilwill workplace . But their best medium is a somewhat acidic , fertile , and tight draining one with a pH of 6 - 6.5 .
you may apply apalm tree diagram potting mix , or one that is specifically made for tropical plants .
Otherwise , amend regular potting ground withcoarse sandorpine barkto improve drain . In the garden , coalesce incompostorworm castingto improve inadequate quality soil .
Repotting
Dracaena fragrans like to be somewhat pot - bound , so only repot them when the root have outgrown the current container .
If yours is still thriving in its container after three years , top - dress them withslow - release granulesto rejuvenate the nutrients in the dirt .
When the clock time derive for repotting , prefer a container that is only one size of it larger , and make certain that it has drain holes in the bottom .
Pruning
There ’s almost no need to prune the leaves as part of your maize flora fear routine . They spill their bottom leaves as new ones get , and this wont is a natural part of their life hertz . So pare those off as necessary
If yours has gotten too tall for its location , you may sheer the cane down to a more manageable size in the spring by topping it .
The top can be root , and new leaves will commence to grow from the remain radical over time .
Pest Control Tips
plague are rare for all the variety , but on juncture mealybugs , thrip , or scale of measurement insects can be an issue .
Neem oil color , a naturalinsecticidal spray , or one made from 1 tspgentle liquid soapwith 1 liter of water , will aid get rid of bug .
softly wiping or rinse the leaves can help to right away improve the problem too .
Corn Plant Propagation Tips
Dracaena fragrans is very easy to disseminate through cane cuttings or air layering . This is specially useful for very marvellous tree , and hold open them to a more manageable sizing .
In the spring , simply cut the root word down to your desired height using a fair sharp knife orheavy responsibility pruner .
The crest , or the top part with leaves , can be immediately planted in damp soil . Dust it withrooting hormone , and place it on aheat lustrelessness , or in a warm location until it starts to put on new growth .
Troubleshooting Common Corn Plant Problems
Below are some hint for deposit the most common maize industrial plant care takings you might experience . Though they are very resistant of disregard , you may run into some of these problem over the years .
Brown Tips
I put this one first because Dracaena fragrans leaves are ill-famed for get brown tips . This can be stimulate by want of wet , salt build up in the soil , or chemical fertilizer burn .
First check the grease moisture level . If it ’s very dry , exhaustively water and keep a closer eye on it , making sure it never dries out completely .
If moisture is not the trouble , and brown peak keep constitute , it could be a buildup of salts or chemical in the ground . You ’ll make love if you see a crusty , white or orange buildup on top of the soil , or around the interior of the peck .
you may flush the dirt with extract or rainwater by running it through the pot for 2 to 3 minute . Then let the container enfeeble off all of the excess .
In this compositor’s case , I recommend you keep off using unfiltered tap water , and switch to a innate and organic fertiliser .
Leggy Stem
It ’s common for the stem to look marvelous and bare over clock time . As corn plants produce , they shed their lower leave of absence , creating a crownwork at the top , and leaving the remainder of the cane empty .
However , infirm , thin , or swerve canes can indicate a lack of light , especially if the leaves are also pallid .
Either style , pruning the works down can restore it . Be certain to move it to a brighter location or tote up agrow lightto prevent it from happening again .
Leaves Turning Yellow
Yellowing dispirited leave are normal , and part of their natural growth process . However , late repotting or overwatering can also cause it .
As a corn plant grows , the bottom leaves will gradually turn yellow and fall down off . This is nothing to worry about . It can also happen to a few lower leave of absence after a recent transplant .
If however several leaves are yellowed and drooping , overwatering is probably the perpetrator . Let the top inch or two of grime ironical between waterings .
Leaves Curling
Curling leaves can be a signaling that your Janet Craig compacta is too cold or hot , or is receiving too much or too little water .
Keep it in temps between 55 - 75 ° F . Water when the top column inch of filth is dry , but do n’t let it get muddy , or keep the container sit in water supply . If this is a struggle for you , asoil wet gaugecan assistance .
loop leaves can also bespeak a pest infestation , most usually spider hint . So you should closely scrutinize the leaves for any signs of webbing or bugs .
Brown Spots On Leaves
Brown spots on the leaves rather than the tips are usually triggered by suntan , picture to moth-eaten air , or trauma .
Move your indoor plant to a location away from direct sun , estrus beginning , or cold drafty windows . Keep your outdoor one in a more shaded location , and get it indoors before it gets too cold .
Corn Plant Care FAQs
How long do corn plants live?
Corn plants can live for many years , decades even , when you learn how to give them their good care .
How big does a Janet Craig compacta plant get?
A Janet Craig compacta works can get up to 6 ’ tall , but it will take a long time for it to reach that size . Other sort can be various heights .
Should I cut the brown tips off my corn plant?
you could cut the brown tips off of your edible corn plant if they irritate you , but it is n’t necessary . Snip them at an slant to observe the natural shape of the leaf .
Also make certain you look into the root of the brown tips to forbid them from recurring .
Is Janet Craig compacta poisonous?
According to theASPCA internet site , Janet Craig compacta , and all other Indian corn plant varieties , are poisonous to cats and dogs . So keep them out of compass of your pet and kids , just in case .
Do indoor corn plants grow corn?
No , indoor corn plants do not grow corn . They get their common name from the appearance of the foliage , which resembles the parting of a corn stalk . But the two are not refer .
With all the growing tips share in this corn industrial plant upkeep guide , you have everything you involve to keep any sort of Dracaena fragrans thriving for decades .
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