Dracaena Fragrans Janet Craig Compacta Plant Care Guide
What is The Janet Craig Compacta?
The Janet Craig Compacta is also known as the Dracaena fragrans, the Cornstalk Plant or simply the Corn Plant. This amazing little woody evergreen will bring a lovely pop of earthy color to your living or office space. Its luscious, long green leaves are the perfect way to bring the great outdoors inside. The Janet Craig Compacta has tropical origins and is native Africa, specifically Mozambique, Angola and Sudan.
No need to worry if you notice only minimal growth as this houseplant is naturally slow growing. Believe it or not, the Dracaena fragrans can grow as tall as 49 ft in the wild. However, when kept in a pot indoors it will grow to a manageable height. Luckily, the Cornstalk Plant requires only low-key effort to keep happy. Just in case you need some guidance, this Plant Care Guide is here to answer all of your burning questions.
Light Care
If you want to bring zen vibes and a pop of green to the darker corners of your space, then you're in luck! The Cornstalk Plant is one of those exceptional indoor plants that can survive and thrive in low light settings. Natural light is a luxury and oftentimes there are spaces indoors that don’t see sunlight. Those dark spaces still deserve to be graced by the presence of houseplants and the Janet Craig Compacta is a great place to start.
The best spot for your Dracaena fragrans is in an area that only receives minimal indirect natural light. If the Cornstalk Plant is exposed to direct sunlight its leaves will be susceptible to wilting. Corners away from windows on the interior of your home or office will be a welcoming home to this modest houseplant. Luckily, the Janet Craig Compacta is tolerant of artificial light, so there is no need to hide this stunning plant away in the dark.
Water Care
The Cornstalk Plant does best when its soil is allowed to mostly dry up between waterings. As a general guideline this lovely houseplant should be watered about every 10-14 days. However, it is always a good idea to test the soil first before watering. This can be done by feeling the soil at the base of your houseplant to see if the solid is dry to the touch.
There are several factors that affect the watering requirements of your Janet Craig Compacta, including humidity levels, light levels and the time of year. If the environment is dry or if the area receives more sun exposure, watering will need to occur more frequently. It is also important to remember that more water may be needed during the Cornstalk Plant growing season, which occurs between spring and fall. During cooler winter months when growth slows, less water is required.
Food Guide
Dracaena fragrans is a species that really loves rich, nutritious soil. A soil that is loamy is ideal for the Cornstalk Plant. Loamy soil contains clay, sand and humus (decomposed organic material). Remember that the soil needs to allow for proper drainage. This helps the soil remain moist, but not fully saturated after watering. If the soil is too wet, root rot could occur and jeopardize the health of the entire plant.
A great way to keep your Janet Craig Compacta feeling loved is to provide it with some extra energy in the form of fertilizer. This houseplant will greatly appreciate occasional fertilization. Use a liquid fertilizer about once every two months to give your plant the nutrients that it needs to thrive. Hold off on providing fertilizer during the winter season, because there is little new growth during this time anyways.
Staff Holy Grail Tip:
Some plants are more picky than others when it comes to the type of water that they receive. The Janet Craig Compacta happens to be on the more sensitive end of the spectrum. Depending on where you live, the tap water can contain various levels of salts, minerals and chlorine. Dracaena plants prefer pure water that is free from these additional components, which can be harsh and hinder growth. You can choose to use a water filter to purify the water you give to your Cornstalk Plant. Another option is to let the water sit out, open to air, for approximately 24 hours prior to using it to water your plant. Your Janet Craig Compacta will certainly appreciate your extra effort!
