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Easy-to-follow plant care guide for Dracaena Fragans

Learn how to care for your Dracaena Fragans with this handy guide! Get tips on light, watering, pruning, and pest control to keep your Corn Plant thriving. Sign up for our newsletter for more plant care tips!

Roelof Jan Elsinga - Plant care for Beginners Author

Written by Roelof Jan Elsinga

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Are you looking for an easy-to-care-for tropical houseplant that really stands out? You're looking for a Dracaena Fragans! You might not have heard of Dracaena Fragans before, but perhaps Dracaena Corn Plant sounds more familiar to you. This tough plant is native to the tropical parts of Africa and is nicknamed the corn plant because its long, slender stem and bushy leaves look a little like a corn plant.

In this plant care guide, we're going to look at how you can take care of this plant in your home and what you can do to keep it healthy for many years to come!

These are the topics we're going to look at:

  1. Light requirements
  2. Watering
  3. Soil
  4. Temperature and humidity
  5. Fertilizing
  6. Maintenance tips
  7. Conclusion

Let's start at the beginning and look at the light requirements of this amazing plant!

Light requirements

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If you've taken care of other dracaenas before, you might know that these types of plants love bright, indirect sunlight. It's no different from Dracaena Fragans! This plant is quite tough and can tolerate lower light levels as well.

The type of light you should avoid with this plant is direct sunlight. Its leaves can easily get scorched if they're exposed to too much direct sunlight, so make sure to avoid placing it right next to a window.

The best spot for this plant is behind a thin curtain or in a spot where any direct sunlight can't reach it.

If you notice that new growth on your Dracaena looks a little dull or faded, it might mean that your plant isn't getting enough sunlight. Luckily, this is easy to change! Try moving your plant to a brighter spot, and you'll see its leaves turn back to deep green.

Watering

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Your Dracaena is a tough plant, especially when it comes to watering! You should water your plant when the top 2 inches (ca. 5 cm) of the soil has dried out. It's a plant that doesn't do too well when it's in wet soil all the time, because it's quite sensitive to root rot.

If you're not sure whether you should water your Dracaena or wait a little longer, it's better to wait a little longer. This plant doesn't mind growing in soil that's very dry for a while. When it starts to get thirsty, you'll notice its leaves start to droop and curl. This curling starts with the leaves at the bottom. So make sure to regularly check if your plant needs water.

In the fall and winter, when the plant is dormant, you'll want to water your plant a little less, because it won't need as much water.

On average, you'll want to water your Dracaena once per week in the spring and summer and once every 10–14 days in the fall and winter. But, this range can change depending on the temperature, humidity, pot size, and plant size. This is why it's so important to regularly check if the soil is dry yet.

Soil

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Your Dracaena likes to grow in soil that's on the dry side, so what does that mean for the soil composition? Well, your Dracaena Fragans prefers a well-draining potting mix.

This type of potting mix helps to drain excess moisture to the bottom of the pot quite quickly, where it'll drain out of the drainage hole in the pot, away from your plant's roots.

A good soil mix would be general potting soil, mixed with perlite or sand. Perlite and send help to improve drainage, so your plant is less at risk of getting root rot.

Temperature and humidity

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Houseplants aren't houseplants if they're not comfortable in the average house. A bit of a cryptic sentence, but your Dracaena thrives in a temperature range of 65 °F and 80 °F (18 °C to 27 °C), which is most likely the temperature of your house right now. So good news, your Dracaena loves the temperature of your house!

Besides temperature is humidity also quite important: it thrives on humidity levels between 40% and 70%. Most houses are naturally within this range, so there is a good chance you don't have to do anything to make your plant feel comfortable.

If your house is very dry (usually in the winter), it's a good idea to use pebble trays or humidifiers to increase the humidity levels. You can find more easy ways to increase the humidity levels in your house here: 10 ways to increase the humidity in your home.

Fertilizing

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When it comes to fertilizing, this plant is every easy: it doesn't need a lot, and it needs none at all in the fall and winter. I recommend you stick to using a water-soluble fertilizer, because it's very convenient, and the plant can quickly absorb the nutrients when you water your plant with a fertilizer solution.

In the spring and summer, you can fertilize your plant once per month. Your Dracaena is a slow-growing houseplant, so it's a good idea to stick to once per month and not fertilize more often. This could lead to over-fertilization, which causes root burn.

Maintenance tips

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To keep your Dracaena Fragans healthy for many years, there are a few general maintenance tips I'd like to share.

First, regularly check your plant for dead or dying leaves. These dead and dying leaves attract pests, and we'd like to avoid that, so trim them as soon as you spot them.

When you check your plant, also keep an eye out for pests on your Dracaena. Spider mites and mealybugs are the most common pests to get to your plant. If you spot these pests, carefully wipe the leaves with a damp cloth and use insecticidal soap to suffocate them.

Every 2-3 years, it's time to repot your Dracaena Fragans. This will give it more room to grow and also allows you to refresh its soil. The best time for repotting is in the spring, just before the growing season starts. This gives your plant enough time to recover and adjust to its new growing environment.

And last, but not least, you can propagate your Dracaena Fragans by taking a stem cutting and letting it root in a water for a few weeks. Make sure your cutting has a few leaves and be patient. It takes a while for roots to grow, sometimes several weeks. When the roots are 2 inches (ca. 5 cm), you can repot it in soil and take care of it like you would for an adult plant.

Conclusion

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And those are the basics on taking care of a Dracaena Fragans or Dracaena Corn plant! With a little effort (but not too much), you'll have a beautiful green plant for many years to come!

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Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.

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About the Author

Roelof Jan Elsinga - Plant care for Beginners Author

Meet Roelof Jan Elsinga, a passionate and knowledgeable plant care enthusiast. With 6 years of personal experience, Roelof Jan has gained a wealth of knowledge on indoor plant care. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced plant owner, Roelof Jan's practical advice and deep understanding of various plants and their needs can help you become a successful plant caretaker.

Although Roelof Jan may not have formal gardening credentials, his expertise has been cultivated through caring for many plants and providing valuable guidance to fellow plant lovers just like you.

Roelof Jan is always eager to expand his knowledge. He dives into many different sources to deepen his understanding, stay up-to-date with the latest findings and is always happy to receive feedback. He takes great care to ensure that the recommendations he provides are not only practical, but also accurate.

Roelof Jan's main focus is to offer reliable and easy-to-understand information and support to all plant lovers out there, helping them confidently navigate their plant care journeys with success.

Frequently asked questions

What is Dracaena Fragans?
Dracaena Fragans, also known as the Corn Plant, is a popular houseplant with long, leafy stems. It’s loved for its easy care and beautiful appearance.
How much light does a Dracaena Fragans need?
Dracaena Fragans prefers bright, indirect light but can also survive in lower light conditions. Just make sure to avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves.
How often should I water my Dracaena Fragans?
You should water your Dracaena Fragans when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Be careful not to overwater, as this can cause the roots to rot.
What is the best way to prune a Dracaena Fragans?
Pruning Dracaena Fragans is simple! Just use clean scissors to snip off any yellow or brown leaves, or cut back stems to promote bushier growth.
How can I tell if my Dracaena Fragans has pests?
Look for tiny bugs or sticky residue on the leaves, which are signs of pests. If you see these, it’s a good idea to inspect your plant closely.
What should I do if my Dracaena Fragans has pests?
If you find pests, gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or use insecticidal soap. It's important to check your plant regularly to keep it healthy.
Can I fertilize my Dracaena Fragans?
Yes! You can fertilize your Dracaena Fragans during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer every few months.
How do I change the pot of my Dracaena Fragans?
To repot your Dracaena Fragans, carefully remove it from its current pot and place it in a slightly bigger pot with fresh soil. This helps provide more room for the roots to grow!
Is Dracaena Fragans safe for pets?
No, Dracaena Fragans is considered mildly toxic to pets, especially cats and dogs. If ingested, it can cause vomiting or other symptoms, so keep it out of reach.
Where can I find more plant care tips?
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