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’ll be able to 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 forms of corn crops? We didn’t! Heck, we didn’t even understand a few of our smaller houseplants have been in the identical corn plant household!
Presently, we personal two smaller forms 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 colour on cabinets, tabletops, and windowsills.
Corn Plant Fast Information
- Latin identify: Dracaena fragrans
- Widespread names: Corn plant, cornstalk plant, false palms
- Mild: Vivid, oblique mild however can tolerate lower-light situations
- Watering: Hold soil moist, however not soggy. Water if the highest 2″ of soil is dry.
- Soil: Free, loamy soil with good drainage
- Mature dimension: As much as 6ft tall indoors
- Best Humidity: Common family humidity, ideally 40-50%
- Best 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 have 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 contains snake crops, dragon bushes, and fortunate bamboo. Dracaena usually have grassy or spear-shaped leaves that develop from a sturdy heart stalk. They’re slow-growers, however can attain over 6ft in top in the fitting situations. Due to this, plus their thick trunks and tropical leaves, they’re generally referred to as “false palms.”
I’ll admit that we’re not enormous followers of the normal corn plant, as a result of we favor fuller and extra bushy houseplants. However they’re undoubtedly nice choices if you would like a hardy, tall plant that appears extra tree-like. That’s why in our residence we are inclined to maintain the smaller variations round.
Sorts 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 widespread anymore! Here’s a listing of some others that you could be discover.
- Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ (pictured above, with golden pothos at base): That is the commonest selection, generally referred to 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 heart as a substitute of being stable inexperienced. You’ll be able to usually discover them offered in pots with 2 or 3 trunks, already 1-2 ft in top.
- D. fragrans ‘Lindenii’: Additionally just like the Massangeana selection, however the yellow striping is discovered towards the sides of the leaves.
- D. fragrans ‘Victoria’: Once more, just 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) Identified for its vivid, yellow-green leaves that are usually a bit narrower. The leaves brighten as they mature
- D. fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’: Just like the Limelight proven above, nonetheless 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 twist again in the direction of the middle, for a denser look. They might have lighter inexperienced striping on the skin of the leaves.
How To Care For A Corn Plant
Mild
Corn crops do finest in vivid, oblique mild. They will survive in decrease mild situations however might lose a few of their vivid colour or variegations. We’ve discovered that ours do finest close to home windows, however not the place they are going to get an excessive amount of direct daylight. This could trigger their leaves to burn.
Water
Corn crops require barely extra energetic watering than a few of our different straightforward houseplants. They like soil that’s moist, however not too soggy. This implies you need to attempt to maintain the highest 1″ of soil damp, and add water if it has dried out. Simply watch out to not overwater and be certain your pot has drainage holes. You can even in the reduction of on water within the fall and winter, when the plant shouldn’t be actively rising. Some corn crops will be delicate to chemical substances in faucet water, so take into account filtered water as a substitute.
Soil
Select soil that drains nicely (most traditional potting soil will do) and take into account mixing in some perlite or vermiculite. These assist retain soil moisture and guarantee a unfastened, well-draining combine. Additionally, be sure 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 favor temperatures between 65-75º and humidity round 40-50%, they need to do nicely in most residence environments. They may also be saved outside in containers, simply deliver them in when temperatures drop under 50º. You can even enhance 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’ll be able to take away these by hand, or with clear, sharp shears. You can even take away the highest portion of the plant to manage its top. 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 straightforward to drop into your watering can.
Propagating A Corn Plant
Anytime you prune a corn plant, your stem reducing turns into an incredible alternative to develop a brand new plant. Right here’s the best way to 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 reducing it at an angle to show extra floor space.
- Step 2: Submerge the minimize finish in clear water, ideally in a transparent glass. Ensure no leaves are submerged. Place the glass in a vivid spot.
- Step 3: Change water each week or two to discourage algae or micro organism progress, and high off any loss as a result of evaporation. You must see roots start to kind inside a number of weeks.
- Step 4: As soon as not less than 1″ of roots have grown, switch your minimize stem to a small pot with well-draining soil. Proceed to care in your new plant as regular!
Widespread Points
A few of our corn crops have been completely behaved and virtually thrive on neglect, however others have been drawback youngsters. So whereas they’re typically low-maintenance, listed here are some widespread issues to look out for:
- Pests: Corn crops are prone to widespread houseplant pests like spider mites, mealy bugs, or fungus gnats. Most of those pests will be eliminated with a moist fabric or a neem oil software, which is able to assist forestall future infestations.
- Yellow leaves: Yellow leaves are usually an indication of overwatering, however might also simply be a part of the pure life cycle of the leaf. Examine the drainage of your pot and take into account lowering your watering.
- Brown leaves or ideas: This might point out underwatering or low humidity. Ensure to maintain the highest 1″ or 2″ of soil moist. In case your soil now not holds moisture nicely, take into account repotting with recent, unfastened 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 might have induced 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 turn into unsalvagable at this level.
- Curling or noticed leaves: Corn crops will be delicate to chemical substances in faucet water equivalent 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 substances to dissipate.
Different Corn Plant FAQs
Are corn crops poisonous to cats and canines?
Corn crops are poisonous to pets as a result of they comprise saponins, which may trigger vomiting, lack of urge for food, and shortness of breath. Seek the advice of with a veterinarian for those who imagine your cat or canine has ingested any a part of your plant. It’s finest to put these out of attain of any animal or curious little one who might 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 outdoors?
Corn crops are rated for USDA Hardiness Zones 11 and 12 which excludes the entire continental United States. Should you’d wish to maintain a corn plant outside, put it in a container that may be introduced inside when temperatures drop under 50º. Hold it in partial shade to forestall burned leaves.
Do corn crops flower?
Technically, sure, however not often in indoor situations. Some very glad, mature home crops might produce aromatic white flowers periodically – even a number of years aside.
Extra Vegetation We Love
Should you’re searching for extra data on a few of our favourite crops, take a look at a few of these posts under:
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