Corn Plant
Dracaena fragrans · also called mass cane, fragrant dracaena, false palm
The corn plant is an easy, upright dracaena with arching, corn-like leaves on woody canes. It tolerates lower light and needs fluoride-free water to avoid brown tips.
The corn plant, Dracaena fragrans, is a popular indoor tree named for its broad, arching leaves that resemble those of a corn stalk, often with a yellow-green stripe down the center. Grown on thick woody canes, it has a clean, upright form that makes it a classic floor plant for homes and offices.
Native to tropical Africa, the corn plant is tough, low-maintenance and tolerant of lower light, which has made it one of the most common interior plants for decades. It grows slowly into a tall specimen and, like other dracaenas, is sensitive to fluoride in tap water, which causes brown tips. While its rare blooms are intensely fragrant, it almost never flowers indoors. Its leaves are toxic to cats and dogs.
How to care for Corn Plant
Light
Tolerates low to medium indirect light, making it a good choice for dimmer rooms, though it grows faster and keeps better color in bright indirect light. Keep it out of direct sun, which scorches the leaves and fades the stripes.
Watering
Water when the top 2 inches of soil dry, usually every 1-2 weeks, then let it drain completely. It is more tolerant of drying out than of staying wet, so avoid overwatering. Reduce watering in winter when growth slows.
Humidity
Average household humidity is fine, though 40-50 percent helps prevent brown leaf tips. A humidifier is helpful in very dry, heated rooms.
Temperature
Comfortable at 65-80F (18-27C). Keep it above 55F (13C) and away from cold drafts and heating vents.
Soil & potting mix
Use a loose, well-draining potting mix with perlite. Good drainage prevents the root rot that affects overwatered dracaenas.
Feeding
Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer at half strength. It is a light feeder, so avoid overfertilizing, which contributes to leaf tip burn.
Pruning & grooming
Prune the canes to control height; cutting the top encourages new shoots to form just below. Remove yellowed or browned lower leaves as they age and drop.
Repotting
Repot every 2-3 years in spring, as it is slow-growing and content to be somewhat root-bound. Move up one pot size and refresh the soil.
Propagation
Propagate from cane cuttings. Cut a section of stem, root the top in water or soil, and the parent cane will usually resprout from below the cut.
Common Corn Plant problems
- Brown leaf tips. Caused by fluoride and salts in tap water or dry air. Use filtered, distilled or rainwater and flush the soil periodically to clear buildup.
- Yellowing leaves. Usually overwatering. Let the soil dry further between waterings and make sure the pot drains freely.
- Drooping or pale leaves. Too little light or inconsistent watering. Move it to brighter indirect light and keep a steady watering rhythm.
Corn Plant FAQ
Why does my corn plant have brown tips on the leaves?
Like other dracaenas, the corn plant is sensitive to fluoride and salts in tap water, which build up and brown the leaf tips. Water with filtered, distilled or rainwater, flush the soil every few months, and avoid overfertilizing. Dry air can also cause brown tips, so a little extra humidity helps.
How much light does a corn plant need?
The corn plant tolerates low to medium indirect light, which is part of why it is so popular for offices and dim rooms. It will grow more slowly and may lose some of its leaf stripe color in low light. For the healthiest growth, give it bright indirect light, but always keep it out of direct sun.
Is the corn plant toxic to pets?
Yes, Dracaena fragrans is toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion causes vomiting, drooling and loss of appetite, and cats may develop dilated pupils. Keep the plant away from pets, and consult your vet if your animal chews the leaves.