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(Dracaena fragrans)
Cornstalk Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans)
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Forest and Kim Starr
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
Forest and Kim Starr
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Copyright:
CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Forest and Kim Starr | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Starr Environmental | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Dracaena fragrans, commonly known as Cornstalk Dracaena, is a slow-growing evergreen shrub native to the understory of tropical rainforests in Africa. It typically reaches a height of 15-50 feet (4.5-15 meters) in its natural habitat but stays much smaller in indoor settings. The plant features a woody stem with a rosette of long, arching leaves that are glossy green and may have yellow or light green stripes. It is known for its fragrant, white to cream flowers, which bloom sporadically throughout the year in its native environment, though flowering is rare in indoor conditions.
Cornstalk Dracaena is valued for its air-purifying qualities and is widely used as an indoor plant in homes and offices due to its tolerance of low light and low maintenance requirements. It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate some degree of drought. When grown outdoors in suitable climates, it can be used as a specimen plant or in shaded border plantings. It is susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects, and thrips. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it is important to allow the soil to dry between waterings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Cornstalk Dracaena is valued for its air-purifying qualities and is widely used as an indoor plant in homes and offices due to its tolerance of low light and low maintenance requirements. It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate some degree of drought. When grown outdoors in suitable climates, it can be used as a specimen plant or in shaded border plantings. It is susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects, and thrips. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it is important to allow the soil to dry between waterings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 3-14.5 feet
- Width: 1-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate, Slow
- Flower Color: Cream, White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Understory of tropical rainforests in Africa
Other Names
Common Names: Corn Plant
Scientific Names: Dracaena fragrans , Aletris fragrans , Aloe fragrantissima , Cordyline fragrans , Dracaena albanensis , Dracaena albanensis , Dracaena aureolus , Dracaena aureolus , Dracaena broomfieldii , Dracaena broomfieldii
GBIF Accepted Name: