Money Plant
Epipremnum aureum
low lightpet cautionToxic to pets
SPECIMEN NO. 912
Native toTropical regions of Africa
Low light
Corn Plant
Dracaena fragrans
Also known as: Cornstalk Plant, Dracaena Fragrans, Happy Plant
A tree-like plant with a woody stem and a crown of broad, arching leaves resembling corn foliage, often striped with cream or yellow. A tough, low-maintenance classic office and home plant.
7–10dwatering range
low to bright indirectlight needs
15–24°Ctemperature
Watering amount
How much water does my Corn Plant need?
Estimated guideline, not a precise measurement — scale up for larger pots, brighter light, or active growth; scale down for smaller pots, lower light, or winter dormancy. Always water until it drains from the pot's base rather than measuring exactly. Use soil moisture and plant condition as the primary guide; the ml value is only a rough estimate.
Watering guide
Season note
Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry; sensitive to fluoride, so filtered or distilled water is best.
Overwatering signs
Yellowing leaves, root rot
Underwatering signs
Brown leaf tips, drooping
Light & placement
Light level
low to bright indirect
Best rooms
Care details
Soil
Loose, well-draining potting mix
Humidity
Average household humidity is fine
Fertilizer
Liquid fertilizer every 3 weeks during growing season
Temperature range
15°C – 24°C
Plant care guide
Corn plant, botanically Dracaena fragrans, is native to tropical Africa, with a documented range stretching from Sudan south to Mozambique and west to Côte d'Ivoire and Angola, where it grows in upland forest regions at elevations between roughly 600 and 2,250 metres. It belongs to the asparagus family, Asparagaceae, and the genus name Dracaena comes from the Greek "drakaina," meaning "female dragon," a name shared across the broader Dracaena genus, while the species epithet "fragrans" is Latin for fragrant, a direct reference to the plant's genuinely and distinctively scented flowers rather than any characteristic of its foliage. The plant's common English name comes from the visual resemblance between its tall, unbranched, cane-like stem topped with clusters of long, broad, strap-like leaves and an actual stalk of corn — a resemblance strong enough that the plant is also commonly sold under the related name "cornstalk plant." A related and taxonomically close species, sometimes still encountered under the older synonym Dracaena deremensis, was for a long time treated as botanically distinct from Dracaena fragrans, but is now generally recognized as belonging to the same species, meaning cultivars historically attributed to Dracaena deremensis, including some sold as 'Warneckii', ultimately trace back to the same underlying Dracaena fragrans lineage despite the separate name having circulated for years.
In the wild, corn plant grows into a genuinely substantial shrub or small tree, typically multi-stemmed at the base and capable of reaching 15 metres or more at full maturity, with mature specimens developing a distinctive narrow crown of slender, upright branches. Indoor specimens, by contrast, are almost always sold and grown as single or grouped canes, kept considerably more modest in size — typically four to eight feet tall — through the plant's naturally slow growth rate and the practical constraints of container cultivation. An interesting structural detail of the species: in young plants, the main growing tip typically develops as a simple, unbranched stem, but if that apical bud is damaged or removed — whether by accident or deliberate pruning — the plant readily responds by branching out from just below the cut, a trait commercial growers have long taken advantage of to produce the layered, multi-headed "mass cane" arrangements commonly sold under the popular cultivar name 'Massangeana'.
Toxicity
Pets: Toxic to pets — keep out of reach
Humans: Toxic to humans if ingested
ASPCA lists Dracaena fragrans as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses because of saponins; reported signs include vomiting, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, and dilated pupils in cats. Same toxic mechanism documented as harmful to humans in clinical/poison-control literature.
See our full guide to houseplants toxic to cats and dogs for pet-safe alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
Is Corn Plant toxic to cats and dogs?+
Yes, it's toxic to pets due to saponins, causing vomiting and drooling if ingested — keep it out of reach.
How often should I water a Corn Plant?+
Every 7-10 days, when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry — it's fairly drought-tolerant and prefers underwatering to overwatering.
Why are my Corn Plant's leaf tips turning brown?+
Usually related to fluoride or salt buildup, inconsistent watering, or dry air — use filtered or distilled water if water quality is contributing; letting tap water stand may reduce some chlorine but does not remove fluoride.
Why is Dracaena fragrans called the Corn Plant?+
Its broad, arching leaves — often striped with cream or yellow down the centre — closely resemble the foliage of a corn (maize) plant, which is where the common name comes from. It's native to tropical regions of Africa and unrelated to actual corn.
