Introduction

The upright, multiple, unbranched stems of corn plant, with rosettes of arching, broad evergreen leaves have a wide, central yellow stripe, and form a heavy but graceful tropical clump, suitable for low-maintenance container culture or specimen planting. Mass plant on two-foot centers for a coarse textured, clumping effect. Extremely fragrant flowers are occasionally produced and open during the night.

General Information

Scientific name: Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana'

Pronunciation: druh-SEE-nuh FRAY-granz

Common name(s): corn plant, fragrant dracaena

Family: Agavaceae

Plant type: shrub

USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Figure 1)

Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round

Origin: not native to North America

Uses: mass planting; specimen; container or above-ground planter; suitable for growing indoors; accent

Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range

Description

Height: 5 to 15 feet

Spread: 2 to 3 feet

Plant habit: upright

Plant density: open

Growth rate: slow

Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: spiral

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: undulate

Leaf shape: linear

Leaf venation: parallel

Leaf type and persistence: fragrant

Leaf blade length: 18 to 36 inches

Leaf color: variegated

Fall color: no fall color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white

Flower characteristic: pleasant fragrance; flowers periodically throughout the year

Fruit

Fruit shape: round

Fruit length: less than .5 inch

Fruit cover: fleshy

Fruit color: unknown

Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: showy; can be trained to grow with a short, single trunk; typically multi-trunked or clumping stems

Current year stem/twig color: not applicable

Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in the shade

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; acidic; slightly alkaline; loam

Drought tolerance: moderate

Soil salt tolerances: poor

Plant spacing: 18 to 24 inches

Other

Roots: usually not a problem

Winter interest: no special winter interest

Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

Corn plant requires shade and is tolerant of drought and a wide variety of soil types, though preferring an organic soil. Do not overwater as root rot can cause plant death. The cane of the corn plant is usually cut into various lengths and rooted into a container in the nursery. Two to several stems grow from the top of the cane cutting, creating a multiple head of foliage. Individual leaves can last several years on the corn plant.

Propagation is by tip cuttings.

Pests and Diseases

Mites, thrips, and chewing insects are a problem.

Corn plants are sensitive to leaf spot diseases and root rot.