A. What's great about growing a corn plant as well as how attractive they look is they're fairly easy to care for and maintain - like many other dracaena plants. When the plant is getting too tall or too thick, you can take a sharp tool and cut off the unwanted shoot at that point. The cornstalk plant is a popular indoor plant that requires minimal care. Prune corn plant back if it grows too tall. Too many people are getting worried about the plant’s leaves: they start turning brown from the tip, and then the entire leaf becomes brown and dies. Category Howto & Style; Show more Show less. Snake plant, also called mother-in-law&… They can be pruned any time of the year, and pruning is always done at the point where the tap heads grow out of the cane. It is not too hard to figure out why Dracaena Fragrans is called The Corn Plant. Corn is not overly difficult to grow; however, some gardeners have concerns when their corn tassels too soon. Be sure to use a container with a drainage hole and never allow the plant to stand in water. The image above is a lithography from 1880 showing the plant in all its glory. I just wanted to add that I’ve had these corn plants for about 27 years. I currently have two plants that were cuttings at one point. Question: I have a corn plant dracaena that is too tall. A few environmental factors can explain corn stalks that won't grow tall, but it's not the end of the world when it comes to harvest. Plants that become leggy or floppy tend to fall over, produce less flowers and create an untidy spindly appearance. A month after planting, start feeding with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food. Be sure there are at least three canes at staggered heights in the pot when purchasing this plant. Droopy, yellow leaves are a sign it's overwatered and may indicate root rot. Also, some of the leaves are turning brown along the edges. It is now extremely tall. Plants that become leggy or floppy tend to fall over, produce less flowers and create an untidy spindly appearance. Prune when the plant gets too tall. How do I cut it back so I can keep it in my house? This foliage plant will put out new leaves and grow more vigorously after pruning. Why is this happening and how can I prevent it? Q. I have a houseplant called a snake plant that has grown too tall for the space. When small dracaena corn plants can sit on a table, but their claim to fame is as a stately tall plant growing up to 10ft’-12 ft’. —Edward Buckler, Cornell University “It’s never been done before,” he says. There are a couple of reasons why plants are tall and leggy. If you want, you can propagate the stem tip cuttings for more plants. This foliage plant will put out new leaves and grow more vigorously after pruning. Corn Plant Care Guide Light. Within weeks, another new tap head will begin to grow in its place. Plant dracaena in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix. “No one would try it because it makes corn tall—too tall, people are not interested in super-tall corn. Probably at least 7ft. Can I use the top to start new plants? If some of the older leaves are turning brown or if the plant is getting too tall, prune it back to allow fresh, healthy leaves to grow. It is also just simply common to some species. Hopefully other city-data gardeners will pipe up, but in the meantime I did a google search, and on some gardening sites the answer given was yes, a Corn Plant can be topped off. Over the years, Karl got his corn to grow taller and taller. 1 Determine where your plant needs pruning. Leggy plant growth may be the result of too much nitrogen or even low light situations. Over the years, Karl got his corn to grow taller and taller. While a corn plant doesn't require pruning, you can trim the stalk to keep it from getting too big. The trunk is getting ragged, I too often am pulling the pieces of "bark" off. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, avoiding city water if possible. Corn that tastes starchy has likely been left on the plant a few days too long; the sugars are converting to starch. Why Do Dracaena Leaves Die? Corn plant tassels can be green, purple or yellow. Corn plants propagate relatively well. I’m not sure how to prune it back without ruining its appearance. I have a corn plant that I have had since 1996. Use a pair of sharp shears to cut it back to the height you want to maintain. This insures that as dracaena matures, it will look full and lush. While a corn plant doesn't require pruning, you can trim the stalk to keep it from getting too big. It is also just simply common to some species. It's just too tall for comfort now.