Corn crops (Dracaena fragrans) are fashionable low-maintenance houseplants you’ve in all probability seen on the nursery, residence enchancment retailer, or physician’s workplace. I even had one in my school dorm room! You possibly can acknowledge them by their spear-shaped leaves and woody, cane-line trunks that may develop as much as 6 ft tall indoors. However do you know there are a number of sorts of corn crops? We didn’t! Heck, we didn’t even notice a few of our smaller houseplants had been in the identical corn plant household!
At the moment, we personal two smaller sorts of corn crops, pictured above. The one on the left is a Dracaena Limelight (Dracaena fragrans ‘Limelight’) and the taller plant is a Draecanea Dorado (Dracaena fragrans ‘Dorado’). We even have a number of limelights round as a result of we love their vibrant coloration on cabinets, tabletops, and windowsills.
Corn Plant Fast Details
- Latin identify: Dracaena fragrans
- Frequent names: Corn plant, cornstalk plant, false palms
- Gentle: Brilliant, oblique mild however can tolerate lower-light situations
- Watering: Maintain soil moist, however not soggy. Water if the highest 2″ of soil is dry.
- Soil: Free, loamy soil with good drainage
- Mature measurement: As much as 6ft tall indoors
- Preferrred Humidity: Common family humidity, ideally 40-50%
- Preferrred Temperature: 65-75º
- Chilly Hardiness: USDA Zones 11-12
- Native to: Tropical Africa
What Is A Corn Plant?
Family corn crops aren’t the identical because the candy corn crop you discover on farms, however they had been named for his or her similar-looking leaves. As an alternative, corn crops are associated to asparagus and are members of the Dracaena genus (pronounced dra-SEE-nuh). This broad class of houseplants additionally consists of snake crops, dragon timber, and fortunate bamboo. Dracaena sometimes have grassy or spear-shaped leaves that develop from a sturdy middle stalk. They’re slow-growers, however can attain over 6ft in peak in the fitting situations. Due to this, plus their thick trunks and tropical leaves, they’re typically known as “false palms.”
I’ll admit that we’re not large followers of the normal corn plant, as a result of we choose fuller and extra bushy houseplants. However they’re positively nice choices if you’d like a hardy, tall plant that appears extra tree-like. That’s why in our residence we are inclined to preserve the smaller variations round.
Forms of Corn Vegetation
Like most houseplants, a number of varieties or “cultivars” of corn crops have been bred over time. The unique species (Dracaena fragrans) isn’t even that frequent anymore! Here’s a record of some others that you could be discover.
- Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ (pictured above, with golden pothos at base): That is the most typical selection, typically known as the Mass Cane. Just like the OG corn plant, it has a thick, woody trunk with lush foliage. The important thing distinction is that the Massangeana leaves have yellow stripes down their middle as a substitute of being stable inexperienced. You possibly can sometimes discover them bought in pots with 2 or 3 trunks, already 1-2 ft in peak.
- D. fragrans ‘Lindenii’: Additionally much like the Massangeana selection, however the yellow striping is discovered towards the sides of the leaves.
- D. fragrans ‘Victoria’: Once more, much like the Massangeana, however with smaller, wider, and extra triangular leaves. It additionally tends to be extra compact. This selection is tough to search out.
- D. fragrans ‘Limelight’: (Pictured above) Recognized for its vibrant, yellow-green leaves that are typically a bit narrower. The leaves brighten as they mature
- D. fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’: Just like the Limelight proven above, nevertheless the yellow-green leaves characteristic a darker inexperienced stripe down the center.
- D. fragrans ‘Dorado’ (Pictured under): The deep inexperienced leaves on this selection are identified to curve again in the direction of the middle, for a denser look. They might have lighter inexperienced striping on the surface of the leaves.
How To Care For A Corn Plant
Gentle
Corn crops do finest in vibrant, oblique mild. They’ll survive in decrease mild situations however could lose a few of their vibrant coloration or variegations. We’ve discovered that ours do finest close to home windows, however not the place they may get an excessive amount of direct daylight. This may trigger their leaves to burn.
Water
Corn crops require barely extra energetic watering than a few of our different simple houseplants. They like soil that’s moist, however not too soggy. This implies you must attempt to preserve the highest 1″ of soil damp, and add water if it has dried out. Simply watch out to not overwater and make certain your pot has drainage holes. You too can in the reduction of on water within the fall and winter, when the plant isn’t actively rising. Some corn crops may be delicate to chemical compounds in faucet water, so take into account filtered water as a substitute.
Soil
Select soil that drains effectively (most traditional potting soil will do) and take into account mixing in some perlite or vermiculite. These assist retain soil moisture and guarantee a free, well-draining combine. Additionally, be certain that your pot has a gap to much less extra water escape in order that your corn plant’s roots don’t sit in water.
Temperature & Humidity
Since corn crops choose temperatures between 65-75º and humidity round 40-50%, they need to do effectively in most residence environments. They may also be stored open air in containers, simply convey them in when temperatures drop under 50º. You too can improve the humidity by including a humidifier or sitting the pot on a pebble tray with water.
Pruning
Decrease leaves in your corn plant will naturally yellow and die over time. You possibly can take away these by hand, or with clear, sharp shears. You too can take away the highest portion of the plant to manage its peak. Use these shears to chop its stem or “cane,” and new progress ought to proceed from that time.
Fertilizer
Throughout its spring & summer time rising season, take into account including a balanced fertilizer as soon as a month. These houseplant tablets are simple to drop into your watering can.
Propagating A Corn Plant
Anytime you prune a corn plant, your stem chopping turns into an incredible alternative to develop a brand new plant. Right here’s how you can propagate your dracaena:
- Step 1: Use clear, sharp shears or pruners to chop a 8″ part or extra from the highest of the stem. Take away decrease leaves to show the stem and take into account chopping it at an angle to show extra floor space.
- Step 2: Submerge the minimize finish in clear water, ideally in a transparent glass. Ensure that no leaves are submerged. Place the glass in a vibrant spot.
- Step 3: Change water each week or two to discourage algae or micro organism progress, and high off any loss on account of evaporation. You must see roots start to type inside a number of weeks.
- Step 4: As soon as a minimum of 1″ of roots have grown, switch your minimize stem to a small pot with well-draining soil. Proceed to care on your new plant as traditional!
Frequent Points
A few of our corn crops have been completely behaved and virtually thrive on neglect, however others have been downside kids. So whereas they’re typically low-maintenance, listed below are some frequent issues to look out for:
- Pests: Corn crops are prone to frequent houseplant pests like spider mites, mealy bugs, or fungus gnats. Most of those pests may be eliminated with a humid material or a neem oil utility, which is able to assist stop future infestations.
- Yellow leaves: Yellow leaves are sometimes an indication of overwatering, however may simply be a part of the pure life cycle of the leaf. Verify the drainage of your pot and take into account decreasing your watering.
- Brown leaves or suggestions: This might point out underwatering or low humidity. Ensure that to maintain the highest 1″ or 2″ of soil moist. In case your soil now not holds moisture effectively, take into account repotting with recent, free soil.
- Dry spots or patches: Your corn plant could also be getting an excessive amount of direct daylight, which is burning the leaves.
- Foul odor or sudden leaf dropping: Overwatering could have brought about root rot. Take away the plant from the pot and examine the roots. Take away useless or rotted roots, and repot in recent soil. Some crops change into unsalvagable at this level.
- Curling or noticed leaves: Corn crops may be delicate to chemical compounds in faucet water corresponding to chlorine or fluoride. Strive utilizing distilled water or let your faucet water sit out for an hour earlier than watering to permit these chemical compounds to dissipate.
Different Corn Plant FAQs
Are corn crops poisonous to cats and canine?
Corn crops are poisonous to pets as a result of they include saponins, which might trigger vomiting, lack of urge for food, and shortness of breath. Seek the advice of with a veterinarian when you imagine your cat or canine has ingested any a part of your plant. It’s finest to position these out of attain of any animal or curious little one who could nibble in your corn plant.
How tall does a corn plant get?
In nature, corn crops can develop as tall as 50 ft! Nevertheless, they’re unlikely to develop a lot taller than 6 ft tall in an indoor container. Most corn crops develop nearer to 3-4 ft. They’re sluggish growers although, so be affected person!
Can corn crops survive exterior?
Corn crops are rated for USDA Hardiness Zones 11 and 12 which excludes all the continental United States. In case you’d wish to preserve a corn plant open air, put it in a container that may be introduced inside when temperatures drop under 50º. Maintain it in partial shade to stop burned leaves.
Do corn crops flower?
Technically, sure, however hardly ever in indoor situations. Some very blissful, mature home crops could produce aromatic white flowers periodically – even a number of years aside.
Extra Vegetation We Love
In case you’re searching for extra info on a few of our favourite crops, take a look at a few of these posts under:
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