Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena) Dracaena fragrans
Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena) (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Asparagaceae family, native to Tropical Africa, from Sudan and Ethiopia to Angola and Mozambique. It grows 1.5–6 m (4.9–20 ft) tall and 80 cm–2 m (31 in–6.6 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–6 m (4.9–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–2 m (31 in–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | about 261–521 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tropical Africa, from Sudan and Ethiopia to Angola and Mozambique |
| Common in gardens of | 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves
Contains saponins: cats and dogs that chew it may vomit, drool and lose appetite (ASPCA).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena)
- How far apart should I plant Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena)?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–2 m (31 in–6.6 ft).
- Does Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena)?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena) flower?
- About 261–521 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Contains saponins: cats and dogs that chew it may vomit, drool and lose appetite (ASPCA).
- What grows well with Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Corn plant (mass cane, fragrant dracaena). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- A tropical plant: outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates; elsewhere a houseplant for bright, indirect light that likes warmth and humidity and hates cold draughts.
- Arching, corn-like leaves, often striped yellow (‘Massangeana’), on thick canes; sold as cut canes that sprout new heads. Mature plants sometimes produce balls of white flowers that perfume a room at night. In East Africa it is planted as a living fence and boundary marker.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Asparagus Asparagus officinalis
- Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis
- Grape hyacinth Muscari armeniacum
- Common bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
- Tuberose Agave amica (Polianthes tuberosa)
- Century plant (agave) Agave americana