Corn crops (Dracaena fragrans) are in style low-maintenance houseplants you’ve most likely seen on the nursery, dwelling enchancment retailer, or physician’s workplace. I even had one in my faculty dorm room! You may acknowledge them by their spear-shaped leaves and woody, cane-line trunks that may develop as much as 6 toes tall indoors. However do you know there are a number of styles of corn crops? We didn’t! Heck, we didn’t even notice a few of our smaller houseplants have been in the identical corn plant household!
At present, we personal two smaller styles 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 shade on cabinets, tabletops, and windowsills.
Corn Plant Fast Information
- Latin identify: Dracaena fragrans
- Widespread names: Corn plant, cornstalk plant, false palms
- Mild: Brilliant, oblique gentle however can tolerate lower-light circumstances
- Watering: Preserve 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
- Splendid Humidity: Common family humidity, ideally 40-50%
- Splendid 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 consists of snake crops, dragon timber, and fortunate bamboo. Dracaena sometimes have grassy or spear-shaped leaves that develop from a sturdy heart stalk. They’re slow-growers, however can attain over 6ft in peak in the precise circumstances. 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 standard corn plant, as a result of we desire fuller and extra bushy houseplants. However they’re positively nice choices in order for you a hardy, tall plant that appears extra tree-like. That’s why in our dwelling we are inclined to preserve the smaller variations round.
Varieties of Corn Crops
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 checklist of some others that you could be discover.
- Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ (pictured above, with golden pothos at base): That is the commonest 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 heart as a substitute of being stable inexperienced. You may sometimes discover them bought in pots with 2 or 3 trunks, already 1-2 toes in peak.
- D. fragrans ‘Lindenii’: Additionally much like the Massangeana selection, however the yellow striping is discovered towards the perimeters 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 seek out.
- D. fragrans ‘Limelight’: (Pictured above) Identified for its vibrant, yellow-green leaves that are typically a bit narrower. The leaves brighten as they mature
- D. fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’: Much like the Limelight proven above, nevertheless the yellow-green leaves characteristic a darker inexperienced stripe down the center.
- D. fragrans ‘Dorado’ (Pictured beneath): The deep inexperienced leaves on this selection are recognized to curve again in 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 greatest in vibrant, oblique gentle. They will survive in decrease gentle circumstances however might lose a few of their vibrant shade or variegations. We’ve discovered that ours do greatest close to home windows, however not the place they are going to 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 it is best to 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 may as well 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 substances in faucet water, so contemplate filtered water as a substitute.
Soil
Select soil that drains properly (most traditional potting soil will do) and contemplate mixing in some perlite or vermiculite. These assist retain soil moisture and guarantee a free, well-draining combine. Additionally, be certain 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 desire temperatures between 65-75º and humidity round 40-50%, they need to do properly in most dwelling environments. They may also be saved outdoor in containers, simply deliver them in when temperatures drop beneath 50º. You may as well 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 may take away these by hand, or with clear, sharp shears. You may as well take away the highest portion of the plant to manage its peak. Use these shears to chop its stem or “cane,” and new development ought to proceed from that time.
Fertilizer
Throughout its spring & summer season rising season, contemplate 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 a fantastic alternative to develop a brand new plant. Right here’s tips on how 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 reveal the stem and contemplate chopping it at an angle to reveal extra floor space.
- Step 2: Submerge the lower finish in clear water, ideally in a transparent glass. Be certain 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 development, and high off any loss as a consequence of evaporation. You need to see roots start to kind inside just a few weeks.
- Step 4: As soon as a minimum of 1″ of roots have grown, switch your lower stem to a small pot with well-draining soil. Proceed to care to your new plant as traditional!
Widespread Points
A few of our corn crops have been completely behaved and virtually thrive on neglect, however others have been drawback kids. So whereas they’re usually low-maintenance, listed here 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 software, which can assist forestall future infestations.
- Yellow leaves: Yellow leaves are sometimes an indication of overwatering, however may additionally simply be a part of the pure life cycle of the leaf. Examine the drainage of your pot and contemplate decreasing your watering.
- Brown leaves or suggestions: This might point out underwatering or low humidity. Be certain to maintain the highest 1″ or 2″ of soil moist. In case your soil now not holds moisture properly, contemplate 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 might have brought on 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 out to be unsalvagable at this level.
- Curling or noticed leaves: Corn crops may be delicate to chemical substances in faucet water similar 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 in case you imagine your cat or canine has ingested any a part of your plant. It’s greatest to put these out of attain of any animal or curious baby who might nibble in your corn plant.
How tall does a corn plant get?
In nature, corn crops can develop as tall as 50 toes! Nevertheless, they’re unlikely to develop a lot taller than 6 toes tall in an indoor container. Most corn crops develop nearer to 3-4 toes. 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 all the continental United States. In case you’d prefer to preserve a corn plant outdoor, put it in a container that may be introduced inside when temperatures drop beneath 50º. Preserve it in partial shade to stop burned leaves.
Do corn crops flower?
Technically, sure, however not often in indoor circumstances. Some very pleased, mature home crops might produce aromatic white flowers periodically – even a number of years aside.
Extra Crops We Love
In case you’re in search of extra data on a few of our favourite crops, take a look at a few of these posts beneath:
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