Dracaena Fragrans ‘Riki’

Go light with the watering and wait for the soil to dry out thoroughly before topping up again. Never let your Corn plant sit in water as the roots are sensitive to water-logged soil and it will soon die back. Also, if possible use filtered water as it is quite sensitive to fluoride in tap water, you can buy distilled water from your supermarket or use a water filter if you have one at home. If you’re a first-time plant parent, read our watering plants guide. You won’t regret it!

Keep in a well-lit area away from direct sunlight. Filtered light by a south-facing window is the perfect spot. If left out in direct sunlight for too long, your corn plant may start to suffer from scorched leaves and cause it to wilt. Too little sunlight will stunt your corn plant’s growth and also cause it to wilt.

Go heavy on the misting for this ol’ girl, she loves a pamper – or keep in the bathroom. You ideally want to keep your Dracaena Fragrans in a warm humid room where possible and avoid any cold drafts.

Choose a nutrient-rich, loamy soil for your corn plant which is well-draining and consider adding perlite or granite to your compost mix for even better drainage. Top up with fresh soil annually to provide a natural boost of organic nutrients.

Use a balanced fertilizer monthly during spring and summer to encourage growth and optimum health, but cut right back during winter. You could consider using a natural fertiliser like worm castings or a slow-releasing fertiliser if you don’t want to keep track of your fertilising schedule. If you have never fertilised a Dracaena Fragrans “Riki”, make sure you read our guide to using fertiliser!

Check your corn plant for spider mites, scale and thrips which is common amongst many houseplants. Dust the leaves regularly to sweep away any pests or apply diluted neem oil to keep them at bay. You can also opt to shower your corn. plant’s leaves down in the shower for a quick solution. If you think your parlour palm has been infected, you can diagnose this using our pests and diseases guide!

You should consider repotting your corn plant bi-annually into a slightly bigger pot to avoid it becoming root-bound. Be careful not to damage its delicate roots when you do a transplant and don’t pack the soil in too tightly into its new home to allow for proper drainage. We have a handy repotting guide if you have never repotted your plant before.