Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group)

Plant Family

Agavaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group)

Photo by: JAMES BURGHARDT

Plant Common Name

Corn Plant

General Description

This is a very common houseplant and tropical landscape plant. Its popularity stems from its attractive, lush, glossy foliage, easy culture and toughness.

Corn plant is native to tropical Africa. It is a slow-growing, upright evergreen shrub or small tree that has numerous arching, longitudinally striped, lance-shaped leaves. These are concentrated towards the upper part of its stems and look somewhat like the blades of corn plants. Mature landscape specimens produce long panicles of strongly scented white flowers in late summer to fall, followed by orange fruit.

Where hardy, plant in a sheltered sunny site in fertile, well-drained soil and use in landscape plantings and mixed borders. This species is also a common houseplant. Indoors, it likes bright indirect light, humidity, warmth, and a denser soil-based potting medium.

Corn plant cuttings root easily and can be grown in water. They are commonly sold in the trade as "lucky bamboo" though they are not truly related to bamboo. The water-grown cuttings can be planted in soil once they begin to lose vigor.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  12 - 1

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  10 - 15

• Sunset Zone

  H2, 21, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Tender Perennial

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

• Height

  6'-15' / 1.8m - 4.6m

• Width

  3'-10' / 0.9m - 3.0m

• Bloom Time

  Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall

• Native To

  Africa

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic, Neutral

• Soil Drainage

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Loam, Sand

• Tolerances

  Drought

• Growth Rate

  Medium

• Water Requirements

  Average Water

• Habit

  Upright/Erect

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Insignificant

• Flower Color

  White

• Fruit Color

  Orange

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  White, Green

• Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

  Striped/Striated

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  White, Green

• Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

  Striped/Striated

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  White, Green

• Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

  Striped/Striated

• Foliage Color (Winter)

  White, Green

• Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

  Striped/Striated

• Bark Color

  Tan, Brown

• Fragrant Flowers

  Yes

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Flower Petal Number

  Single

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  No

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  Yes

• Foliage Texture

  Medium

• Foliage Sheen

  Glossy

• Evergreen

  Yes

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Tropical

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Self-Sowing

  No