Dracaena massangeana (Corn Palm) Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Soil, Fertilizer, Problems
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Dracaena massangeana (Corn Palm) grows best in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Corn Palm also called Corn Plant, Striped Dracaena, Compact Dracaena or Cornstalk Dracaena is among popular Dracaena varieties on account of its glossy, large, green leaves with yellow stripes and its ablity to adapt to a wide range of growing conditions.
Corn Plant sheds the lower leaves as it grows, leaving a bare stem with a cluster of leaves at the top which makes it look like a palm, hence the common name.
Botanical name: Dracaena fragrans massangeana
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Common names: Corn Palm, Corn Plant, Striped Dracaena, Compact Dracaena, Cornstalk Dracaena
Origin
Dracaena fragrans massangeana has its origins in tropical Africa, from Sudan south to Mozambique, west to Côte d'Ivoire and southwest to Angola. It is among favored tropical foliage plants for growing indoors.
Size
Corn Palm is a slow-grower, growing to 6 feet high and about 2 feet wide. Based on it size and delightful foliage Corn Plant is one of the large, low-light plants for a living room, for adding great aesthetics.
Flowers
Corn Plant may not flower when grown indoors. However, under the right growing conditions, the mature plant (above 5 years old) may bloom up to three times a year.
The Dracaena massangeana flowers look-like white, spike balls and have a sweet fragrance. They are borne on a tall flowerstalk which emerges from the center of the rosette of leaves.
Related plants
Dracaena fragrans massangeana with it corn-color central band outsells all the others. Other related varieties are Dracaena fragrans lindenii and Dracaena fragrans victoria among others.
Air Cleaning
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Dracaena fragrans is among air-cleaning plants; it removes xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloethylene from indoor air.
Is Dracaena massangeana poisonous?
Yes. Dracaena massangeana is toxic to both humans and pets according to ASPCA. The leaves contain alkyds which if ingested may cause vomiting and excessive salivation.
Where to Buy
Corn Plant is an excellent addition to any plant collection. You may acquire these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
How to care for Dracaena massangeana indoors
Caring for Dracaena massangeana indoors entails providing bright indirect light, warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Corn Plant requires repotting when the roots begin to grow through the drainage holes. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat, to minimize pests and diseases, to encourage a compact growth and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
How often should I water Corn Plant?
Do not water your Corn Plant on a schedule to avoid either overwatering or underwatering as both negatively affect plant growth.
Water your Dracaena massangeana thoroughly in spring and summer until the water drips through the drainage hole. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to avoid rotting, drooping, yellowing, browning and dropping leaves.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist. Never allow the soil to dry out completely as it can lead to wilting, drooping, yellowing, leaf drop, and brown leaf tips and edges.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging which can result in root-rot and death of the plant.
Corn Palm is a tropical plant, therefore, water it with room temperature water as consistently watering with cold water can lead to cold shock, which can cause stunted growth and leaf loss. Use chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf tips.
Light Requirements
How much light does a Corn Palm need?
Corn Palm thrives in bright indirect light (filtered light). Keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching and death of the leaves.
Dracaena massangeana can tolerate some shade but the growth will be much slower. Too little light will result in leggy growth and faded leaf color. Therefore, use a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
Monthly, give the pot a quarter turn, to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides, for a balanced growth and to prevent leggy growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Corn Plant prefers a warmth of 16-280C. Keep it away from drafts to prevent reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing, leaf loss, and brown leaf tips and edges.
Dracaena massangeana prospers in a humidity of 50-55%; it has no need for extra humidity. However, too dry air can cause brown leaf tips and edges. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together. Avoid misting and ensure good air circulation to minimize occurence of fungal diseases.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
What is the best fertilizer for Corn Plants?
Feed Corn Plants with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer to encourage a lush growth.
Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is reduced and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn which is indicated by brown leaf tips.
Flush out accumulated salts every 1-2 months, by running a stream of water through the soil until it drips through the drainage hole.
Potting Mix
What kind of soil do Corn Plants like?
The best soil for Corn Plants should be a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil to prevent root-rot. A mix of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir (for moisture retention) and 20% perlite or sand (for aeration) is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
When to repot Corn Plant
Repot your Corn Palm at the beginning of the growing season when roots begin to grow through the drainage holes as it prefers to be slightly root-bound.
How to repot a Corn Plant
- Select a pot at least 2 inches wider than the tree-trunk. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid root-rot. Check out these self-watering pots on Amazon.
- Fill the pot halfway with a well-draining soil, moisten it lightly and make a hole in the center of the pot.
- Slip the plant out of its pot, remove most of the old soil from the roots, loosen the roots and trim dead roots.
- Place the plant in the previously made hole while making sure to maintain it as the same soil level as it was in the previous pot.
- Water the soil throughly and replace the plant to its usual location.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Corn Palm involves removal of dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations. As it ages, the lower leaves naturally turn yellow.
Dracaena massangeana is a slow-grower and does not require regular pruning. To encourage bushy growth (branching), cut the stem at the desired height with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors.
A new sprout of stems will emerge below the cut. This will result in the plant producing several stems instead of having just one stem. The foliage emanating from the pruning, can be used to propagate new plants.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
Dracaena massangeana Propagation
Dracaena massangeana is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season in three ways: by air layering, from stem cuttings or from the top crown of leaves. Learn how to propagate Dracaena fragrans (Corn Plant).
Dracaena massangeana Problems & Fixes
Corn Plant common problems are yellow leaves, plant dying, brown leaves, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.
Yellowing leaves
Why are the leaves on my Corn Plant turning yellow?
The leaves on your Corn Plant are turning yellow due to too little light, inconsistent watering, nutrients deficiency, temperature stress, low humidity, pests and diseases among others.
Check out these 14 reasons why Dracaena leaves are yellowing and how to fix it.
Plant dying
Why is my Corn Plant dying?
Your Corn Plant is dying due to cold temperatures, salts buildup or root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil.
How to fix it
Cold temperatures: Keep the plant away from cold drafts to maintain a warmth of 16-280C. Water with room temperature water to avoid cold shock.
Salts buildup: Use chemical free water. Regularly flush out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it flows out through the drainage hole.
Root-rot disease:
- Remove the plant from its pot, trim rotten roots, and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Repot the plant in well-draining soil and keep it dry for 5-7 days before watering to help it recover.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil to prevent sogginess. >
Brown leaves
Why is are the leaves on my Dracaena fragrans turning brown?
Some of the causes of brown leaves on your Dracaena fragrans massangeana are direct sunlight, low humidity or underwatering.
How to fix it
Direct sunlight: Keep the plant away from direct sunlight or instal a light curtain or sheer to filter the sunlight.
Low humidity: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Corn Plant are caused by dry air, underwatering, salts accumulation or drafts.
How to fix it
Dry air: To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in the humid areas in the home.
Underwatering: Maintain the soil consistently moist and do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Salts accumulation: Use rain water or filtered water. Flush out salts from the soil every 1-2 months.
Drafts: Place the plant away from drafts emanating from windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, heat sources among others.
Pests
Common pests of Dracaena massangeana are mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites which are more common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Seperate the infested plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Take care to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label.
- Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Keep the plant well pruned and raise humidity to discourage the pest infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do you take care of Dracaena fragrans?
To care for Dracaena fragrans give it bright indirect light, warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
2. Do Corn Plants like sun or shade?
Corn Plant flourishes in bright indirect light. It can tolerate lower light but growth will be much slower. It does not like direct sunlight as it can cause scorching.
3. How can I make Corn Plant grow faster?
To make Corn Plant grow faster, provide it with bright indirect light, fertilize every 4-6 weeks, and avoid frequent pruning.
4. Is Dracaena fragrans toxic to pets?
Yes, Dracaena fragrans is toxic to cats and dogs. If ingested, it can cause vomiting and drooling. Keep it away from cats and dogs.
5. Can you cut the top off a Corn Plant and replant it?
Yes, you can cut off the top crown of leaves of a Corn Plant and replant it to grow a new plant. The shortened stem will grow into a bushier plant with multiple stems.
You liked it? Share on social media.
Related Content
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.