How to Root a Corn Plant
The corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is a sturdy upright plant with big, showy leaves that arch from a central stem. Usually plants with long, cane-like stems such a corn plant and dieffenbachia gradually drop lower leaves, leaving a length of bare cane. The best way to propagate the plant is by dividing the long, bare stem into cane cuttings, which can be used to propagate a new plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Planting container
- Commercial potting mixture
- Saucer
- Sharp knife
- Resealable plastic bag
- Plant mister
Instructions
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Fill a planting container with any good quality commercial potting mixture. Moisten the potting mixture by placing the container in a saucer of water. Allow the potting mixture to absorb water until the soil is moist, then pour out any water remaining in the saucer.
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2
Remove a length of bare cane from a corn plant. Use a clean, sharp knife to cut the cane about 3 inches above the surface of the soil.
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Cut the cane into smaller sections. Each section should have at least two leaf scars, which are the places where a leaf was previously attached to the stem. Each section should also have a dormant bud, which will be located between two leaf scars. The leaf scars may have a ring-like appearance.
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Lay each section horizontally on the potting mixture, with a dormant bud facing up. Bury half of the section with soil.
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Place the container in a resealable plastic bag, then seal the bag securely. Place the container in a moderately warm room and indirect light. Check the container two or three times every week, and mist the soil lightly whenever the soil feels dry. Roots usually develop in two to three months, but in some cases, rooting may require several months.
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References
- Cornell University Cooperative Extension: Techniques for Propagation of Plants for Interior Decoration
- NC State University: Plant Propagation by Leaf, Cane, and Root Cuttings: Instructions for the Home Gardener
- University of Rhode Island: Propagating House Plants by Cuttings
- Ohio State University: Plant Propagation
