Family: Asparagaceae
Common name: Cornstalk dracaena, Striped dracaena, Happy plant, False Palm, Corn plant, Chinese money tree, Fortune plant
Dracaenas come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, all of them suited for indoors as well as outdoors. Dracaena Fragrans can be distinguished from the others by its specific look that looks like a corn plant, and broad, droopy foliage.
Plant Characteristics
They can grow to a height of 2-3 meters with a straight, unbranched stem. Younger plants will have a smooth stem which becomes rough with the marks of fallen leaves as they become older.
Once they become too tall and unsightly, they can be pruned to help branching, and to have more stems grow at the same time.
Leaves are about 40-50 cm long, some plain green, and some variegated with yellow stripes depending on the species. Cornstalk Dracaena leaves are thick, leathery, and glossy with a waxy coating that prevents water loss.
Though it is rare in house plants, Cornstalk dracaena plants can produce bunches of white flowers about 2.5 cms in diameter.
They are highly fragrant, as the name of the plants suggests, attracting birds, bees, insects, and ants that help in pollination. The fruits are orange berries about 1-2 cms in diameter, containing multiple seeds.
Gardening Tips
Cornstalk Dracaena plants thrive in good sunlight and well-drained soil. These plants require regular watering. Fertilize once in 2-3 weeks with a well-balanced fertilizer like animal manure or vermicompost.
Pruning is usually not required, unless the plant grows tall with a long, bare stem and a bunch of leaves on top like a mop. Pruning Cornstalk Dracaena plants can result in more stems being produced from the sides of the cut ends.
Few common cultivars are Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ or Mass cane that has a broad yellow stripe at the center of the green leaves; Dracaena fragrans ‘Lindenii’ that has a broad green stripe along the center of its yellow leaves; and Dracaena fragrans ‘Victoria’ with white or cream stripes on the leaves.
All these variants are ideal for your gardens and indoors since they can thrive in low light or indirect sunlight. But it is always better to keep indoor plants near a window that gets indirect sunlight.
It is also good to turn the indoor plants occasionally so that they grow evenly without slanting to a side, seeking sunlight.
When grown outdoors, it is good to keep them in partial shade since too much sun can result in browning of the edges of the leaves. Cornplant dracaenas need very little water and fertilization; so it’s good to ensure that the soil has dried out before watering.
Other Dracaenas ideal for your garden are Dracaena trifasciata or Mother-in-law’s tongue, Dracaena marginata or Dragon tree, Dracaena reflexa or Song of India, and Dracaena sanderiana or Lucky Bamboo. All these low-maintenance plants can beautify your rooms or your gardens with their beautiful, unique foliage.
Uses of Cornstalk Dracaena
Cornstalk Dracaena plants are mostly grown as ornamental plants in home gardens and landscaped areas.
In addition to bringing a tropical vibe to the gardens with their broad, green leaves, these plants also help purify toxins like formaldehyde from the air.
Since Cornstalk Dracaena plants are easy to grow and maintain, and are also drought-tolerant, they can be grown by amateur gardeners, even in conditions where there is water scarcity.
Propagation
Propagation is from stem cuttings or seeds.
Since flowers and seeds are not common in houseplants, propagation from stem cuttings is the easier and more effective method.
Photographed at: Ramaiah College, Bangalore; Thrissur, Kerala
