How to Care for a Corn Plant (Dracaena Fragrans)
The corn plant, a tropical houseplant, can grow up to 30 inches across, with dark green, yellow striated leaves that are 8 to 48 inches long. It can grow up to 20 feet high. Though Dracaena fragrans can live in a low light situation, it needs defused sunlight to thrive. Take care to avoid yellowing or browning leaves.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Place the plant in a location where it gets light but not direct sunlight, such as near a south or east window. The plant can be directly in front of the window if it is covered by a sheer curtain. The leaves start to turn very light green if the plant is getting too much direct sunlight. Keep the plant out of drafts, including a breeze from an open window.
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2
Fill your watering container and allow the water to set for at least 48 hours before using it, so that chlorine evaporates. Water the corn plant when the top half of the soil is dry. That may mean watering only every two to four weeks. Because its roots are short and close to the stalk, pour the water close to the stalk to ensure the moisture gets to the roots.
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3
Check the soil with a water gauge. Insert the gauge at least 2 inches below the soil top and close to a stalk. The gauge should read “dry” before you add water. Add the water slowly, watching the gauge until it reads "moist."
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4
Fertilize the plant with a liquid fertilizer every other month, applying when watering.
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5
Keep the corn plant in a small pot, as its root system is minimal. It actually prefers to be a little root bound. Upgrade to a larger pot if the plant is so tall that it topples over because the pot base is too small. For example, a 9-foot corn plant can do well in a 16-inch pot.
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6
Control the corn plant’s height by pulling out the center of new growth on the plant.
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7
Wipe off dust on the leaves with a damp cloth. You can also place the plant outdoors in the summer rain or in a bathroom shower to give it a quick rinse with tepid water. A cleansing event becomes a watering session, so perform it when the plant is dry.
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References
- Photo Credit Picture from Missouri Botanical Garden
Comments
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I have a plant that my husbands aunt gave us I need to know what to do with the brown leaves I did not realize the water had to sit out so I now do that but should I leave the brown leave or cute it off thank you for you help.
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I have had this plant for 20+ years and it looks like it is going into shock. the leaves are all wilting - I had to brace it with a pancil and ties to avoid it toppling over - what eles can I do to avoid more leaf loss?
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You should be able to where you live.Just keep it watered.
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My daughter gave me a corn plant, that she was not going to keep any longer, it's about 4 ft high and she kept it outside! Living in S. Calif, I would like to keep mine outside also?
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so good the corn market in cambodia.
