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Corn Plant Basic Houseplant Care

Corn Plant Basic Care

Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans massangeana) is commonly seen as houseplants, borders, and temperate greenhouses. Corn Plant can occur as evergreen shrubs or small trees. Requiring low light and moderate watering, Corn Plant houseplants are easy to care for and make beautiful additions to any home.

Corn Plant Care: Light Requirements

Caring for Corn Plant is relatively easy because Corn Plant thrives in areas of the home or garden with low light making a position in a corner or hallway and ideal location.

Corn Plant Care: Water Requirements

Corn Plant houseplants prefer an environment that is evenly moist and moderately humid. Corn Plant can also tolerate lower amounts of watering but take care not to forget about the plants for too long. A rule of thumb for watering is to water every 7-10 days or when no moisture is felt when a finger is placed about an inch inside of the soil. Water Corn Plant until the soil becomes moist but be careful not to water excessively as over watering may result in leaf drop, wilting, or possibly death of the plant. Reduce watering in winter.

Corn Plant Care: Fertilizer Requirements

For a full and healthy plant, care for Dracaena fragrans massangeana by applying a balanced (20-20-20) liquid fertilizer monthly or reduce to quarter strength and apply when watering.

Corn Plant Care: Pests & Diseases

Corn Plants, one of the poisonous houseplants, are more resistant to infection and infestation than many other plants. However, some pests are still problematic for Corn Plant houseplants. Spider mites are the most typical along with scale insects and mealy bugs. Corn Plant houseplants are also very sensitive to nutrient inadequacies such as excessive fluoride or born and calcium deficiency.

Corn Plant Care: Propagation & Potting

Propagating Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans massangeana) is commonly done through seed. Sow seed at 64-70oF in the spring. Variegated cultivars will not come true under these circumstances. Another option is to root semi-ripe cuttings and leafless stem sections in the summer using bottom heat. This process is slightly quicker but can be more difficult.

When caring for Corn Plant, grow in soil-based potting mix or standard potting mix. If moving Corn Plant to the outdoors, grow in moderately fertile soil. Pot on or top dress in spring to ensure healthy and nutritious soil during the growing season.

Purchase Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans massangeana) from your local florist.