When your clavus works is a little overgrown , restore its good looks with a quick trim .

The democratic houseplant have intercourse as the corn plant ( Dracaena fragrans‘Massangeana ’ ) features long , strap - comparable farewell . Although the name imply a family relationship to the corn we eat , these two mintage are not pertain . Thecorn plantis one of the easiest houseplants you’re able to grow , but it can seem a little gangly and overgrown over prison term , which is the perfect time to cut it back andpropagate more of these plants from cuttings . Then , you may give the newfangled works away to new nursing home or keep them for your own lushliving room plant hobo camp . Timing and forbearance dally into the success of corn works propagation . Here ’s what you necessitate to fuck .

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

Materials

Instructions

Make the Cut

bounce and other summertime are the right times to cut off back a clavus plant . Not only will theoriginal plant recover quicklyfrom the trimming , but the young cuttings are likely to root quicker in the prolonged bright twinkle . Using a pair ofclean , shrewd pruner , burn an 8 - column inch or long distance of prow that includes four to six leaf from a cane of the live works .

Reduce the size of your plant significantly by take away a longsighted piece of cane . The cane on the original plant will re - sprout just below the gash , although it may take a couple of month .

Remove Excess Leaves

Remove any excess folio from the cut so it has three or four foliage remain . The leave are essential for raise the fuel the plant needs to develop young roots . If you made an exceptionally long cutting , reduce the overall duration so that about 4 inches of cane extends below the leaves .

Pot the Cutting

Make an angled gash at the root destruction of the cane . Dip the cutting end inrooting powderand nonplus the cutting into a potbelly of pumice , perlite , or coarse moxie . pot soil is n’t a good choice for corn plant generation because it stays too damp and rots the bow before it can root . Keep the potted cutting in a bright location but out of direct sunlight .

Care for the Potted Cutting

Check the potting intermediate formoisture every other Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . pee when it finger slightly ironical to the touch . Corn plant cuttings take about eight calendar week to form root . After that meter has passed , gently endeavor to lift the stem . If you finger resistance , the cutting has root and can be replant in a houseplant potting mixture . If the stem is wobbly when you lift it , it needs a little more time to take root .

Try Air Layering (Optional)

If you desire to get fancy with your corn plant propagation , use anadvanced technique called air layer . Air layering begins with cutting into a stem , but rather than completely cutting off the theme , make a notch about halfway around it with a fair , sharp vane . After you make the mountain pass , prop it clear with little pieces of toothpicks . Dust the open wound with rooting powder to further rapid growth . For added protection , wrapping moist sphagnum moss around the swing stem and enclose the moss in clear credit card . Keep the moss moist but not soggy until you see new roots developing . At that sentence , cut off the fore just below the roots and pot up the raw plant .

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose a location withbright , indirect light . Although the plant brook modest - lightness locating , lineal sunlight can sunburn the steer of the corn plant life leaves .

Corn plant grows best in 65 % to 75 % humidness . It does n’t hurt to mist the plant , but it is unlikely to facilitate much . supply a plant humidifiernear the corn plant if the humidity in your home is low .

When grown in optimum conditions , corn plant can live 10 to 15 years indoors , and are know to have lived even longer in some cases .

Three varieties of dracaena in pots sitting in room near window

Credit: Jacob Fox