Easy to Grow Houseplants – Corn Plant (Dracaena)
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The corn plant (botanical name: dracaena fragrans) is a well-known indoor plant that is grown in many homes. Learn how easy it really is.
I love growing houseplants not only because they bring beauty to my home, but because they boost my mood, increase creativity, reduce stress, and eliminate air pollutants which make for a healthier, happier you. Indoor plants don’t just look good, they make us feel good too!
I also hear this all the time. I don’t have a green thumb. Folks, everyone has a green thumb in one way or another. That’s why I started this series on easy home plants to grow.
I will share my ups and downs with my favorite houseplants with tips and tricks of the trades so that you can grow your own beautiful houseplants. And even more, you can pass this down to others too.
So, let’s get our hands dirty!
history
The corn plant or cane plant is a tropical African evergreen tree popular in Europe as an indoor plant since the mid-1800s and in the U.S. since the early 20th century. They grow fairly slowly, from thick canes or stems that produce long, narrow leaves like stalks of corn, growing upward. This is why the name “corn plant” is common for this plant. They make good houseplants because they are tall and narrow, typically only reaching around 4- to 6 feet tall in containers.
care
Corn plants do best in bright indoor locations protected against direct sunlight, drafts, and air conditioning and heating vents. I’ve normally kept my corn plants next to a window and has always worked well. They do prefer a high-humidity environment, but I have had much success growing them in dry conditions.
I have seen many corn plants growing outdoors in Zone 9 and planted in the ground. They also do well in the summer outdoors in pots, as long as they aren’t in direct sunlight.
Make sure the soil is well drained since the corn plant doesn’t like to have its feet wet for long periods of time. Reduce watering in the late fall to winter and water in warmer weather when the soil is dry.
I use a balanced liquid fertilizer for houseplants sparingly.
pruning
This is a subject that many plant owners have difficulty with. But, the corn plant enjoys being pruned.
When the plant has grown larger than its pot or easily will fall over, as shown in the picture above, it’s time to cut back the leaf stalks. Just take your hand pruners and cut the stalks all the way back to the main stalk.
Over time, new leaf stalks will start to grow back. My plant has been trimmed back now 3 times.
I have never tried to grow a corn plant by seed or by propagation. For me, that’s too much trouble and I can find a new one at any store.
repotting
When is it time to repot? I do this when I’ve pruned the plant because I know the expansive roots have outgrown the pot. I also noticed that roots were growing out of the bottom of the pot.
Lay the planted pot down on an old sheet or blanket, this job does get messy. Pull the plant out of the pot and then cut off about half of the root system at the bottom. Then add new soil and plant as normal. Because of trimming off many roots, you probably won’t see any new growth for some time.
As you can see in the picture above, the new potting soil has made the pruned corn plant grow even better with new leaf branches.
letting the corn plant bloom
Did you know that the corn plant blooms?
When growing conditions are right, and the plant is mature (more than 5 years old), it can bloom one to three times per year. The chances of blooming are reduced when kept as an indoor plant. The flower stalks emerge out of the center of the leaf spiral and can grow up to 3 feet long which happens around Thanksgiving. The flowers look like white spike balls and have a wonderful sweet fragrance when they bloom. The scent can smell like a combination of jasmine, lilac, honey, and freshly cut grass. The fragrance is so strong, that you will be able to smell it throughout your home. It blooms as the sun sets, each night for about a month. Each bloom drops at daylight, spurring another bloom to open the following evening. I’ve only had my plant bloom one time, but it was wonderful!
common problems
The only problem I’ve had with the corn plant is Brown Leaf Tips. This is due to not watering enough and letting the soil stay dry too long. An easy fix is by just watering when needed. If you have leaves that are all yellow or brown, just cut them off. It’s common for the bottom leaves to turn yellow with age.
I’ve also never had any pest problems with my corn plants. But, I understand that they may get Spider Mites but that’s easy to control by wiping down the leaves well with a damp cloth and keeping them clean.
frequently asked questions
Corn plants are easy to care for once their climate, sun, and water needs are met. Maintain those conditions, and your plant can live for many years.
The corn plant is a slow to moderate-growing plant. Its conditions are usually tough to nail correctly, so it may slow down its growth rate when the conditions are not perfect.
Under the right conditions, corn plants can live for decades.
The corn plant was used in NASA’s clean air study which proved to remove a considerable amount of toxins from the environment.
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They look like nice plants. I normally kill plants on accident but maybe I’d do okay with this one.
I love having houseplants. These are some great houseplants too. I just have to be careful what I have because of my cats.
This is a cool looking plant. I need to buy one.
I haven’t had a house plant in a long time. I’ll have to get a cane tree. But I’m afraid my cat will knock it over thinking it’s hers.
These advice are so precious. I don’t like artificial plants but houseplants can be hard to grow especially if you don’t have basic knowledge!
I love having indoor plants in my home, and the corn plant seems like a great addition. Your tips on caring for and pruning the plant are helpful, and I appreciate the history and FAQs included as well. I can’t wait to try growing my own corn plant!
Those were some good recommendations, the corn plant also had some really pretty blooms!
This is a really great looking plant. I’m surely going to check this out. Thanks for the recommendations
I have a green thumb when it comes to growing any kind of plant. I have several corn plants, they were my happy plant that I would call it.
Smart tip to keep it drained. My SIL gave me a plant not too long ago and told me it was super easy to keep alive, but I still managed to almost kill it before she took it back for recovery (and it’s doing beautiful now). I try when I’m forced to but a green thumb is not something that comes naturally.
Pinning this one, Tammy. I need some help when it comes to houseplants. I usually stick with things that I’m familiar with but I love these and would love to get one. Just may give one a try.