Photo: GERMAN LEONEL SARMIENTO CRUZCC BY 4.0

3 named cultivars

shrub

Corn Plant

The Story

Plant Bio

Dracaena fragrans, the corn plant, is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen from tropical Africa, grown almost everywhere as a houseplant on one or more thick upright canes. Long strap-shaped arching leaves, often with a pale central stripe, form rosettes at the top of each cane. Indoors it reaches four to six feet, and far more in the tropics.

It is among the most shade-tolerant houseplants there is, but it is toxic to cats and dogs, so stand it out of reach in a pet household. Brown, crisp leaf tips are usually a water-quality problem rather than dry air — this genus is unusually sensitive to fluoride and salts, so switch to rainwater or distilled water and flush the pot occasionally.

Uses & Benefits:

Bold architectural rosettes of striped strap-shaped foliage on upright canes.

Tolerates low light, dry air and neglect better than almost any other large houseplant.

Rarely flowers indoors; its value is as an interior plant rather than in the garden.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

48 inches

Width

24 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Tropical Africa

Toxicity

Toxic to cats and dogs

Planting

How to Grow

Give it bright indirect light or dappled shade.
Let the top inch of compost dry before watering again.
Use rainwater or distilled water where you can.
Keep it above 55F and away from cold draughts.
Feed monthly in spring and summer only.
Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them clean.

Pro Tip

A bare, leggy cane can be cut straight through — the stump resprouts below the cut and the top roots as a new plant.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Site it in bright indirect light 🪟
Water with rainwater or distilled water 💧
Let the surface dry between waterings 🌵
Keep it out of reach of cats and dogs 🐈

Don't

Stand it in full midday sun ❌
Leave the pot sitting in water ❌
Let it drop below 55F ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Feed
Repot

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Floor-standing houseplant for a shaded cornerInterior screening in offices and lobbiesContainer plant outdoors in frost-free climates

Companion Plants

Snake Plant ZZ Plant Pothos Peace Lily Chinese Evergreen

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Corn Plant questions

What zones can Corn Plant grow in?

Corn Plant is hardy in USDA Zone 10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Corn Plant deer resistant?

Yes — Corn Plant is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Corn Plant bloom?

Corn Plant typically blooms in rarely flowers indoors through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Corn Plant need full sun?

Corn Plant does best in part shade.

Is Corn Plant drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Corn Plant handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.