New to Dracaena? This is the Only Guide You'll Ever Need - 2023

Introduction
Lighting and Temperature
Watering
Humidity
Fertilizing
Repotting
Pruning
Most Helpful Advice
Q&A

Introduction

Corn plant, also known as Dracaena, is an easy-to-grow houseplant that can thrive for years with minimal care. It has colorful, strappy leaves and a tropical vibe. The most common types are Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’, Dracaena fragrans ‘Lindenii’, and Dracaena reflexa ‘Variegata’. They can tolerate low light and inconsistent watering, making them perfect for beginners. With the right care, a Corn plant can live for 10-15 years and reach up to 6 feet tall.

Characteristic	Description
Common Name	Corn plant, Dragon tree
Botanical Name	Dracaena fragrans (most popular cultivars) Dracaena marginata
Plant Family	Agavaceae
Origin	Tropical Africa
Height	Up to 6 feet tall
Light	Medium to low light
Water	Allow top inch or so of soil to dry out between waterings
Temperature	Average indoor temperatures, 65 to 80°F
Fertilizer	Balanced, all-purpose fertilizer once a month during growing season
Soil	Well-draining potting mix with perlite or orchid bark
Repotting	Every 2-3 years, one size up
Pests	Spider mites, mealybugs, scale
Propagation	Stem cuttings, air layering

Lighting and Temperature

Corn plants do well in medium to low light. They can tolerate some direct sunlight but do best in bright, indirect light. An east- or west-facing window is ideal. Avoid southern exposure, especially in hot climates. Corn plants can adapt to a range of temperatures, from 55 to 80 F. They grow fastest in warm temperatures. During winter, reduce watering and fertilizer.

Watering

Water Corn plants when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. In general, this means watering every 7-14 days. Water less in fall and winter when growth slows down. The soil should dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering can cause root rot, the most common cause of death for Corn plants. Check if the plant needs water by sticking your finger 2 inches deep into the soil. Only water when it feels mostly dry.

Humidity

Average room humidity is fine for Corn plants. Misting them with a spray bottle can help increase the humidity, especially in dry winter months. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust. High humidity may lead to leaf spot disease, so avoid excess moisture.

Fertilizing

During the growing season in spring and summer, fertilize Corn plants every few weeks. Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (such as 10-10-10). Follow the directions on the product packaging and dilute to 1/2 the recommended strength. Too much fertilizer can burn the roots, so err on the side of less. Stop feeding in fall and winter when growth slows down.
If the lower leaves start yellowing and dropping, this could indicate over-fertilization. Flush the soil with water to prevent fertilizer burn.

Repotting

Watch for roots poking out the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, which indicates it’s time to repot. Move up just one size and use a well-draining potting mix. Add perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage. For the average Corn plant, repotting every 2-3 years is typical. Bury the stems to the same level as before and water thoroughly after repotting. Allow the plant to recover in its usual spot before resuming regular watering and feeding.

Pruning

Pruning a Corn plant improves its shape and fullness. Remove dead or dying leaves and stems at any time. To encourage new growth, cut the main trunk back by about one third in early spring before the growing season starts. Cut just above a leaf node, where a pair of leaves attach. New shoots will form below the cut.
Wipe pruning shears with rubbing alcohol after each cut to avoid disease. Never remove more than 1/3 of the plant at a time. Pruning during winter when the plant is less active may stress it, so avoid heavy pruning outside of the growing season if possible .

Most Helpful Advice

The most common issues for Corn plants are overwatering, underwatering, and mealybugs. Overwatering causes root rot, identified by dark, droopy leaves and leaf drop. Improve drainage and allow the soil to dry out. Underwatering leads to dry, brown leaf tips. Increase watering frequency.
Mealybugs are cottony white insects that feed on leaves and stems. Remove them with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs or insecticidal soap according to directions. Scale, spider mites, and aphids can also infest Corn plants. Isolate the plant and treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Here are a few more tips for healthy and happy Corn plants:
• Turn your plant regularly to promote even growth. Rotate the pot about 1/4 turn every few days. This will prevent it from becoming lopsided as it bends toward the light source.
• Wipe leaves with a damp cloth or dust with a soft brush to remove dust. Dusty leaves prevent photosynthesis and make the plant more prone to disease.
• Improve drainage if leaves develop brown spots. This usually means the roots are staying too wet for too long. Add perlite to the potting mix and be careful not to overwater.
• Mist with a spray bottle for humidity, especially in low-light winter conditions. The humidity will discourage spider mites and other pests. Never mist in direct light, which can damage the leaves.
• Repot if the plant becomes top heavy or starts falling over. Add fresh potting mix and move up one size. Make sure 3/4 of the roots are covered with soil to anchor the plant.
• Fertilize lightly in winter when growth slows. During this time, fertilizer needs are minimal. Never fertilize a dry plant. Always water before feeding your Corn plant.
• Prune to control size and shape. You can cut stems back by 1/3 without worry. Pruning also encourages new shoot production, making the plant fuller.
• Watch for common pests like spider mites, mealybugs, scale and aphids. Treat with insecticidal soap or spray according to directions. Severe infestations may require professional treatment.
• Consider propagating large plants to make smaller new ones. Air layering and stem cuttings are easy ways to propagate most varieties of Corn plants.
By following these helpful tips, you’ll have a thriving Corn plant that lives for many years. Their sculptural shape and minimal maintenance make them popular houseplants, ideal even for those with busy schedules or gardening inexperience. With consistent and proper care, you’ll have a verdant, tropical accent in your home. Enjoy your easy-to-love Corn plant!

Q&A

My Corn plant’s leaves are turning brown and dry. What’s wrong?

This is usually caused by underwatering. Check that the top inch or so of soil is dry before watering your Corn plant. When you do water, water thoroughly until water flows out the drainage holes. Allow excess water to drain away. Brown, dry leaf tips can also be caused by low humidity – you can mist your plant with a spray bottle to increase the humidity.

There are cottony white spots on my Corn plant’s leaves. What are they and how do I get rid of them?

These are mealybugs, common houseplant pests. To get rid of them, isolate the plant and wipe them off with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab or spray. You can also spray the leaves with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, making sure to coat both the tops and undersides of the leaves. Repeat until all signs of the mealybugs are gone. Improve air circulation and humidity around the plant to prevent future infestations.

My Corn plant has rooting stems – how and where do I cut and repot?

Rooting stems on a Corn plant usually mean it’s become top heavy and needs repotting to provide support and balance. First, select a pot one size larger and replenish the potting mix. Next, decide where to prune the plant to divide it if needed. Look for natural divisions between stems or growth points. Cut with sterilized shears. Remove leaves from the lowest portion of stems that will be planted in the soil. Bury at least 3/4 of each rooted stem in the potting mix and water thoroughly. Place in a bright spot with indirect light as it recovers and resumes growth.

My Corn plant has stopped producing new leaves. What’s the problem and what should I do?

Lack of new growth on a Corn plant can indicate:1. Insufficient light – Move the plant to a brighter spot with indirect light. A lack of light will slow or halt growth.
2. Excessive fertilizer – The roots have likely been burned, preventing the absorption of water and nutrients. Flush the soil with water to remove excess fertilizer and do not feed for a few months.
3. Improper watering – Either overwatering (root rot) or underwatering can stress the plant and stop growth. Check that the top inch of soil is dry before watering and never leaves the plant sitting in water.
4. Pests – Inspect the plant for common pests like spider mites, scale or mealybugs which feed on the plant and rob it of nutrients. Treat any infestations before growth will resume.