How often should I water my Dracaena fragrans?

Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry, typically every 1-2 weeks, depending on conditions.

Does it need direct sunlight?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light. Direct sun can scorch its leaves.

What kind of soil is best?

A well-draining potting mix, like one formulated for houseplants or cacti, works well.

Why are my Dracaena's leaves turning brown at the tips?

This is often due to fluoride in tap water, low humidity, or inconsistent watering.

Can I propagate Dracaena fragrans?

Yes, stem cuttings can be rooted in water or soil.

Plant guide

Corn Plant.

Dracaena fragrans

Pronounced druh-SEE-nuh FRAH-grenz

Also known as Dracaena 'Janet Craig Compact', Fragrant Dracaena, Happy plant, corn plant, corn-plant, cornstalk dracaena

The Corn Plant is a popular, easy-care houseplant known for its lush, arching leaves that resemble corn stalks. It's a great choice for adding a tropical feel to any indoor space, and it's also known for its air-purifying qualities.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen perennial
Light: Bright, indirect light is best; avoid direct sun which can scorch the leaves.
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: Up to 15 feet tall indoors
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely flowers indoors, but can bloom in late winter or early spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and provide good drainage. Watch for brown leaf tips, which can indicate low humidity or inconsistent watering. Yellowing leaves might mean overwatering.

Watering: Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in winter.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2-4 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer).
Pruning: Prune to maintain shape or size, or to remove dead or damaged foliage. Can be pruned back hard to encourage bushier growth.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root-bound, typically every 1-2 years. Use a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one.
Soil: Well-draining potting mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 18 to 27°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many years indoors.
Fragrance: light
Deer and rabbits: high

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water drains through the pot very quickly.
Plant appears stunted or growth has slowed significantly.
The soil surface dries out extremely fast after watering.

Safety

People: Ingestion can cause vomiting, anorexia, and depression in pets, but is generally considered non-toxic to humans.
Pets: Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, causing vomiting and depression.
Children: While not toxic, ingestion of large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in children.
Contact allergens: Sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: No significant respiratory allergens are noted.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Thick, cane-like stems
Long, arching, strap-like leaves
Leaves are glossy green
Yellow or cream variegation on leaf margins
Clusters of small, fragrant white flowers
Can grow quite tall indoors

Height: 1.5 to 4.5m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.2m
Leaves: green, yellow, cream, evergreen
Flowers: white, 1 to 2cm

Common problems

Spider mites — Tiny pests that create fine webbing and cause stippling on leaves.
Mealybugs — Small, white, cottony insects that feed on plant sap.
Leaf tip burn — Caused by fluoride in water or soil, or by inconsistent watering.
Yellowing leaves — Often due to overwatering, poor drainage, or nutrient deficiencies.

Growing it

Propagation: stem cuttings, air layering
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Indoors, maintain consistent temperatures and reduce watering slightly. Avoid drafts and sudden temperature changes.
In containers: Grows well in containers, a 10-inch pot is a good starting size for a young plant, moving up as it grows.

Stem Cuttings

Take a 4-6 inch cutting from a healthy stem, ensuring it has at least one leaf node.
Remove the lower leaves from the cutting.
You can place the cutting in water or directly into moist potting soil.
If using water, change it every few days. Roots should appear in a few weeks.
Once roots are established, plant in a pot with well-draining soil.

Pair with plants that enjoy indirect light and don't require constantly wet soil.

Grows well with

ZZ Plant — Both plants prefer similar low-light conditions and well-draining soil, making them easy to care for together.
Snake Plant — They share similar watering needs and tolerance for lower light, creating a low-maintenance pairing.
Peace Lily — Peace lilies thrive in similar indirect light and appreciate consistent moisture, complementing the Dracaena's needs.

Keep away from

Direct Sunlight — Intense, direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, causing brown spots and damage.
Overwatering — Excessive moisture can lead to root rot, which is difficult to recover from.

Similar species

Dracaena marginata — Similar care requirements but has thinner, arching leaves with red edges.
Dracaena reflexa — Also a popular houseplant with similar needs, but typically has smaller, more numerous leaves.

Science

Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Dracaena
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical Africa
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

In its native habitat, it grows as an understory plant in forests and woodlands.

Uses: Ornamental houseplant, Air purifier

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9
Light: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water my Dracaena fragrans?: Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry, typically every 1-2 weeks, depending on conditions.
Does it need direct sunlight?: No, it prefers bright, indirect light. Direct sun can scorch its leaves.
What kind of soil is best?: A well-draining potting mix, like one formulated for houseplants or cacti, works well.
Why are my Dracaena's leaves turning brown at the tips?: This is often due to fluoride in tap water, low humidity, or inconsistent watering.
Can I propagate Dracaena fragrans?: Yes, stem cuttings can be rooted in water or soil.

Where the name comes from

Dracaena comes from the Greek word 'drakaina', meaning 'female dragon', referring to the red resin of some species. Fragrans means 'fragrant', referring to its sometimes fragrant flowers.

Good to know

It's native to tropical Africa.
It can grow quite tall indoors, sometimes reaching 6 feet or more.
The plant's common name, 'Corn Plant', comes from its resemblance to young corn stalks.
It's known for its air-purifying qualities.

Is your corn plant looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.