Dracaena (Corn Plant)

Dracaena fragrans · Houseplant

Quick answer: Water: About every 7–14 days, when the top is dry (estimated). Light: Bright indirect light; tolerates lower light. Soil: Standard houseplant mix, pH 6.0–6.5, not too much perlite. Pets: ASPCA lists dracaena as toxic to cats and dogs because of saponins; chewing can lead to vomiting, drooling and loss of appetite. Keep it out of reach. If in doubt, ask your vet.

An upright, slow-growing foliage plant with long strap-shaped leaves on cane-like stems. It keeps its leaves for years, copes with average indoor light and is one of the easiest tall plants for a living room or office.

💧WaterAbout every 7–14 days, when the top is dry (estimated)

☀️LightBright indirect light

🐾PetsToxic to cats and dogs

Care at a glance

Light: Bright indirect light; tolerates lower light
Water: Water deeply once the top of the soil is dry
Soil: Standard houseplant mix, pH 6.0–6.5, not too much perlite
Temperature: 60–75 °F by day, about 10 °F cooler at night
Pot size: Go up 1–2 in in diameter when repotting (estimated)
Pot: Heavy pot with drainage holes for tall plants
Growth: Slow; 2–10 ft tall depending on variety
Lifespan: Many years indoors; repot every 2–3 years

When?

Repot, cut back or take cuttings in spring and early summer, when the plant is actively growing. Feed only in the warm months and stop in winter.

Step by step

Place it a few feet from a bright window, out of hot direct sun.
Water thoroughly with room-temperature water, then let the pot drain.
Wait until the top of the soil is dry before the next watering.
Use a liquid foliage-plant fertilizer in spring and summer; follow the product label.
Prefer rainwater or filtered water; the plant reacts to fluoride.
Mist now and then if the air in your home is very dry.
Cut back leggy canes in spring; new shoots form below the cut.
Root the cut tops in water or moist mix to make new plants.

Common problems

Brown tips and yellow leaf edgesFluoride or salt build-up; switch to filtered water and flush the pot.

Drooping, yellow leaves and soft stem baseToo much water and root rot; let the soil dry and check the roots.

Pale leaves, long gaps between themToo little light; move to a brighter spot.

Sudden leaf dropCold drafts or temperature swings; keep away from doors and vents.

Fine webbing or sticky bumps on leavesSpider mites or scale; wipe leaves and isolate the plant.

Pets

ASPCA lists dracaena as toxic to cats and dogs because of saponins; chewing can lead to vomiting, drooling and loss of appetite. Keep it out of reach. If in doubt, ask your vet.

Related tools

Soil and mulch calculator

Similar plants

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Sources

This page is general guidance; no pesticide doses are given.