How to Care for Dracaena Fragrans “Janet Craig”

The Dracaena fragrans, originally from Africa, are now often cultivated as an indoor plant throughout the European Union. Long, narrow leaves resembling corn stalks grow slowly along thick canes or stems. They develop at a slow rate. In addition to growing in a manner reminiscent of palm trees, which has earned them the nickname “fake palms,” they are tall and slender, often only reaching around 4 and 6 feet in height if grown in pots, and are thus well-suited for use as houseplants.

A broad area of tropical Africa, from Ethiopia to Zimbabwe and Mozambique to Guinea, is home to the ancestors of the Dracaena Fragrans “Janet Craig.” A Philadelphia nursery owner named his daughter after discovering a new strain of the plant species Dracaena Warneckii in the 1930s. Dracaena Warneckii was the original name for this species.

Miniature trees can be seen in Janet Craig plants because of their long, glossy leaves and strong, thick core stems. The Janet Craig plant is among the most adaptable houseplants due to its ability to survive in various indoor environments. This plant can be grown with little effort. It’s a great option for anyone just getting into gardening.

The Dracaena Fragrans “Janet Craig” has been given the moniker “corn” because its leaves look much like the maize plant. A Janet Craig plant will develop a leaf directly from the stem. When cultivated in a controlled environment, they can grow to be two feet in length and have the shape of a long sword three inches in length.

The leaves on a potted plant can grow as long as three feet if placed in a sunny location. The dark green hue of their sheen is striking. As the leaves lengthen, they will eventually fall to the ground. The leaves won’t fall off the plant for a very long time with their evergreen properties. Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule is necessary to avoid the buildup of dust on them.

Though the Dracaena Fragrans “Janet Craig” can produce flowers when cultivated in a controlled plant, it is unusual to see blooms on indoor-grown plants. The tall, roughly a meter-long stems are covered with fragrant, white flowers while in bloom.

While some people may be pleased with the results of their indoor gardening efforts, most people are not. They produce thick nectar that is difficult to clean from furniture and carpets. In addition, the Janet Craig plant’s key selling point—the rapid growth of its leaves—is sacrificed in favor of plant output.

Whether or not a Janet Craig plant is grown indoors or outdoors, as well as how much it is clipped, all contribute to its final size. Indoors, a Dracaena Fragrans “Janet Craig,” if left alone, can get as tall as 6 feet and as wide as 1 to 3 feet. It can grow to 15 feet or more, depending on its location.

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When kept in a controlled environment, the Dracaena Fragrans takes more than ten years to reach its full height. Over time, the older and lower leaves will fall off, exposing the robust stem beneath.

Plant at least three stems and trim them to different heights to make a container look fuller. The Dracaena Fragrans plant is aesthetically pleasing and serves a practical purpose by filtering various indoor pollutants.

How to Care for Dracaena Fragrans “Janet Craig”

Since corn plants are tropical and must be grown in a warm, humid environment, most home gardeners grow their corn in large plants indoors. Corn plants should be nurtured in well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor spaces away from direct sunshine, drafts, and heating and cooling vents for optimal growth. Humid conditions are ideal for these plants to grow.

In the summer, corn plants can be relocated outside if placed in a sheltered area that receives dappled shade. They have to have some sort of shelter from the strong winds. Temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit signal that the plant has to be brought inside.

Light

Most Dracaena species, including the Corn Plant, require indirect lighting or only a small amount of light sunlight to grow. Too much light can cause the leaves to burn, while too little can cause the young leaves to be small and the stripe(s) to appear different from those seen on the more mature leaves.

Watering

Allowing these plants some “drying time” between waterings improves their overall health. Therefore, after ensuring the soil is appropriately hydrated, you should wait until the top inch of the soil is fully dry before giving it more water.

Watering the soil is unnecessary if you place your corn plant in a location with plenty of light and consistent, warm temperatures throughout the year (except winter). Reduce the water nearly all houseplants receive throughout the winter, but don’t let the soil dry out entirely. This holds regardless of the location in which your plants are kept.

Soil

Corn plants thrive in a potting soil blend that is sandy, loamy, and loose. As the plant’s roots drown in stagnant water, it’s crucial to ensure the soil drains well.

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Temperature and Humidity

Temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for growing corn. They shouldn’t be exposed to temperatures lower than about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If you moved your corn plants outside for the summer and then brought them inside for the winter, you’ll want to get them back outside before the temperature rises beyond this point.

Humidity levels should be maintained between 40 and 50 percent to mimic the plant’s natural environment as nearly as possible. Raising the humidity surrounding your plant will help it thrive, so use a humidifier or place the plant’s pot on the tray of water and pebbles. To avoid water damage, the bottom of the container should not touch the liquid. Additionally, you might mist the foliage with water on a routine basis.

Fertilizer

There are times when a Dracaena Fragrans fertilizer is necessary; nevertheless, excessive use might have negative effects. Fertilizer applications should be limited to just twice yearly for Dracaena Fragrans “Janet Craig,” once at the start of the spring growing season and once at the start of the summer growing season.

Utilize a 10.10.10 diluted liquid fertilizer, which is half as potent as normal recommendations. The browning of the leaf tips on the Dracaena Fragrans “Janet Craig” plant almost certainly indicates that you have used too much fertilizer, resulting in a salt buildup in the soil. To flush the soil, run water through it steadily for about 10 minutes after letting it drain entirely.

Potting and Repotting

Each year or two, you should repot your corn plant into a slightly larger container 2-3 inches deeper with new potting soil if you want it to thrive. If the soil around the plant isn’t firmly attached, repot it gently before planting. Plant it into the new pot, centering it and filling the bottom of the pot with a few inches of extra soil. To avoid killing the plant, be gentle when working around the roots. If you want to ensure the container has enough drainage, fill the area with new potting soil, but don’t pack it down too firmly.

Pruning

There is a lot of leeway in how you prune a Dracaena Fragrans plant. Do it in the early spring to get the best results when pruning your Dracaena Janet Craig. If you decide the sparse, spindly appearance isn’t to your liking, you can cut it to any length you choose.

It won’t be long before the bare trunk is covered in new leaves, creating the impression of greater density and fullness. You should always get rid of dead or damaged leaves as soon as you see them. However, if your Janet Craig plant’s leaves are only slightly discolored at the tip or the margin, you can safely trim off the affected areas with clean, sharp scissors.

Propagation for Dracaena Fragrans

Dracaena fragrans are best propagated by stem cuttings. Corn plants are simple to propagate vegetatively. Most of the foliage on cornstalk plants develops at the top of the stem, giving the plant an elongated, almost tree-like look.

The best way for a plant to reproduce is by dividing its woody stem in half. You will receive a section from the trunk, a twig from the top, and a little of the tree’s base.

• You should cut by removing the crown, leaving a stem length of about 5 inches (12 cm) long. Plant the newly cut stem in a container with fresh, sterilized potting soil.
• Second, starting at the plant’s roots, trim the remaining stem, so it is about half as thick as before. New growth will emerge from the cut area, eventually forming a new crown of spiny-looking foliage.
• Finally, I remove the stem’s middle section when I’m ready to start a new Dracaena fragrans plant.
• It’s best to wait a few days to ensure the stem you cut is dry. Afterward, replant the stem in new potting soil so the plant can continue growing normally. Root development in the propagated stem can be aided by keeping the soil nice, warm, and moist.

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Grow Fragrant Dracaena Plants with Seeds

Seeds should be submerged in water at room temp for 3 to 5 days to maximize their chances of germination. Spread two or three seeds in a moistened seed starting mix in a shallow container. A light coating of the potting soil or seed starting mix should encase the seeds.

Place the container on a warm germination mat and cover it with clear plastic wrap. Use a grow light or strong, indirect sunlight to maintain a soil temperature of 68 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the soil is healthy, it will hold onto a small amount of moisture. The seeds may decay if the soil is too damp. After four to six weeks, remove the plastic if there is any sign of growth. When the seedling develops two true leaves, it’s time to move it to a pot 3 inches in diameter filled with potting soil.

How Toxic Are Fragrant Dracaena?

The plant’s sap, found within the leaves and stems, contains trace levels of a toxic toxin that, while unlikely to prove fatal, can irritate humans and pets.

Common Problems

Pests

If you practice just a little preventative maintenance on Fragrant Dracaena plants, you shouldn’t have too many problems with Janet Craig plant pests. You should be able to keep most pests away from the Fragrant Dracaena plant if you take the time once a month to wipe the plant’s leaves down with an insecticidal detergent or a neem oil solution.

The yellow bumps can identify spider mites they leave behind on their leaves and webs. If you take the Janet Craig plant to the sink or shower and wash the foliage thoroughly, you should be able to get rid of them.

The mealybugs will congregate under the leaves, generating white and fluffy colonies. To remove them, wipe them with a cotton ball drenched in rubbing alcohol. On the stems and leaves of the plant, scale insects will appear as flat, brown pimples. Simply scrape them off carefully.

Diseases

Dry leaf tips

Dry leaf tips and edges signify that your plant isn’t getting enough water or is being subjected to too much dry air. Use a humidifier or spritz the plant periodically to increase the humidity in the room. The plant needs more regular watering, but the soil should never be allowed to dry out completely. An overabundance of plant food or fluoride in the water is two more probable reasons for yellowing tips. Use distilled water to avoid scorching the leaf tips.

The Leaves Are Falling Off

Excessive watering and inadequate drainage can cause rapid leaf drop and root rot. Ensure the soil in the container drains well and plenty of drainage holes in the container.

Soggy Cane / Stem

Consume large quantities of water over a long time, especially when cool temperatures. If this occurs, it’s likely too late to save your Dracaena from its decline. If the stem is solid or the leaf crown is whole, you could try to grow new plants from them.

Several dry patches on the leaves.

Placements in direct sunshine can cause dry spots and streaks on the leaves of the dracaena plant. Move the plant somewhere where it will receive dappled light rather than full sunlight.

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Frequently Asked Questions

–Will Dracaena fragrans improve the quality of air inside?

Evidence suggests that corn plants, in all their guises, can filter harmful chemicals out of the air. NASA produced a list of plants that help purify the air, and the Dracaena fragrans were one of them. The study found that these plants could help remove indoor toxins, including toluene and xylene.

–What should I do if it seems like my Dracaena fragrans are dying?

Dying the root cause of your Corn plant’s apparent demise is crucial. Due to its low maintenance requirements, overwatering or insect pests are the most common reasons for the stunted growth of this plant. If you notice that your Dracaena fragrans are dying because of fungal infections caused by too much moisture, repot it in fresh potting soil.

–How quickly does a corn plant grow?

Compared to other plants, corn grows at a moderate to slow rate. Its growth rate may slow down when environmental circumstances are less than optimum because they are tricky to control. This is because its conditions are notoriously tricky to pin down precisely.

Conclusion

The Dracaena fragrans, an attractive houseplant, thrives with only occasional watering and modest trimming. Not only does it look like a small tree, but it also rarely has to be repotted. The Dracaena is one of my favorite plants to keep in the workplace or hallways since it helps bring the outdoors in.

Grow it for the cane-like leaves or the fragrant pink blossoms. Both are worth the effort. This species is inexpensive to grow and resistant to most pests that plague houseplants.