Corn Plant
🌿 Meet the Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans 'Malaika')
Looking for a chill plant that brings height, lush foliage, and a bit of drama without all the fuss? Enter Malaika. With her bold green leaves streaked in creamy-white, she’s like the low-effort, high-reward queen of indoor foliage. A perfect choice for new plant parents who still want the wow factor.
🌞 Light
Malaika loves light, but not too much.
Ideal spot: A few feet from a bright east- or west-facing window.
Direct sunlight: Avoid! Harsh sun can scorch her lovely striped leaves.
Low light: She can handle it, but growth slows, and variegation fades.
🌱 Tip: Bright, indirect light = happy stripes and steady growth!
💧 Water
This plant likes to stay lightly moist — but she’s no fan of soggy soil.
When to water: When the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry.
How often: Every 7–14 days, depending on season and humidity.
Watering tips: Use room-temp water and let excess drain. Never let her sit in standing water.
💧 Tip: Use filtered or distilled water if possible — she’s sensitive to chemicals like fluoride, which can cause crispy tips.
🌡️ Temperature & Humidity
Tropical by nature, Malaika loves warm temps and moderate humidity.
Ideal temperature: 18–27°C (65–80°F)
Cold drafts: Nope. Keep away from AC blasts or chilly windows.
Humidity: Average indoor humidity is fine, but she’ll love a little boost in dry seasons.
🌬️ Extra tip: Dry air = brown tips. Mist occasionally or use a pebble tray.
🌱 Soil
A well-draining mix is essential for this beauty.
Best mix: Standard houseplant soil with added perlite or sand for airflow.
Drainage tip: Always plant in a pot with drainage holes — her roots hate being soggy.
🌿 Fertiliser
Feed her during the growing season to keep those gorgeous stripes shining.
Type: A balanced houseplant fertiliser (10-10-10), diluted to half strength.
When: Once a month in spring and summer.
Pause: Stop feeding in autumn and winter when growth slows.
🌱 Tip: Less is more — overfeeding can cause brown tips or salt buildup in soil.
🪴 Potting & Repotting
She’s a slow grower but may need more legroom after a couple of years.
When to repot: Every 2–3 years or when roots peek out the bottom.
Best time: Spring or early summer.
Pot size: Go up just one size — no jumbo pots needed.
🪴 Tip: Gently loosen the roots when repotting to help her settle in.
✂️ Pruning & Shaping
Pruning keeps Malaika looking neat and encourages bushier growth.
When to prune: Spring or summer is best.
How: Trim leggy or yellow leaves with clean scissors. You can also cut the top to shape the plant — she’ll sprout new shoots below the cut.
✂️ Tip: Wipe leaves regularly to let that variegation shine and keep pests away.
🌱 Propagation
You can grow a whole new Malaika from stem cuttings!
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Cut a healthy cane (stem) into 4–6 inch sections.
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Let the cut ends dry for a day or two.
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Place horizontally on moist soil or insert upright in water.
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Keep warm and humid — roots and shoots will appear in a few weeks.
🌱 Tip: This method is called “cane propagation” — and it’s super satisfying.
⚠️ Common Problems
| Problem | Symptoms | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Overwatering | Yellowing leaves, mushy stems | Let soil dry out, reduce watering, check for root rot |
| Fluoride sensitivity | Brown tips, especially on older leaves | Use filtered/distilled water |
| Low light | Pale leaves, slow growth | Move closer to a bright, indirect light source |
| Dry air | Crispy leaf edges | Boost humidity with misting or a pebble tray |
| Pests (rare) | Sticky residue, webbing (spider mites) | Wipe down leaves and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
✨ Extra Care Tips
🧽 Wipe the leaves: Dust can block sunlight and reduce her glow — a damp cloth every few weeks keeps her photosynthesising like a champ.
🚿 Occasional shower: A gentle rinse in the bath or shower can help remove dust and pests.
🧪 Watch your water: Dracaenas are sensitive to tap water minerals. If your tips are going brown, switch to rain, distilled, or filtered water.