Sculptured Corn Plant

The Sculptured Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana') is the classic indoor tree, grown as staggered canes of different heights topped with arching leaves striped gold down the centre. It reaches about 2m tall and 1m across indoors, which fills an empty living room corner properly. Few plants that size survive as much neglect.

Why you'll love it

• Real height indoors. At around 2m it works beside a stairwell or a tall window, where a tabletop plant looks lost.
• The staggered canes give it shape. Canes cut to different heights build tiers of foliage instead of one flat mop.
• It forgives a missed watering. The canes store water, so a fortnight away does no harm. Overwatering is the greater risk.
• Gold striped foliage without sun. The variegation holds in bright indirect light, so it stays interesting in a room that never sees direct sun.

Where it works best

Indoors. Living rooms, offices and entrance foyers. Inside, your climate stops mattering, which counts for a plant this frost tender.

Pots and containers. Use a pot at least 400mm wide with drainage. Weight matters as much as width, because a 2m plant in a light pot tips over.

Feature planting outdoors. In tropical and subtropical gardens it can go into the ground in dappled shade, a softer and more upright accent than a cordyline.

One caveat: dracaena contains saponins and is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, so it is not the plant for a household with a determined nibbler.

Growing Sculptured Corn Plant in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light gives the strongest gold striping, and lower light is tolerated with slower growth and paler leaves. Keep it out of hot sun through glass.

Soil. A quality free draining indoor mix with extra perlite. Wet feet rot the base of the canes, so empty the saucer after every water.

Water and feed. Water once the top third of the mix is dry, roughly every ten to fourteen days in summer and every three weeks in winter. Feed at half strength monthly through spring and summer only.

Pruning. Very little is needed. Trim brown tips with scissors, following the natural leaf shape. If a cane grows too tall, cut it back and it will reshoot below the cut within a couple of months.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in four sizes: 140mm in packs of ten, 200mm in packs of six, 250mm in packs of three, and single 300mm plants. The smaller sizes are young single and double cane plants that build the sculptured look over several years. The 300mm stock is the one to buy for presence straight away.

Some lower leaves may yellow after transit and can be pulled off cleanly. Give it a fortnight to adjust before you expect anything, then new growth from the crown in warm weather. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to keep your indoor plants alive
• Browse the full indoor plant range
• Read about its relative in the dragon tree care guide
• Choose a heavy indoor pot to hold it upright

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Dracaena leaves contain saponins, toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, bringing on drooling, vomiting and loss of appetite. Keep it out of reach if your pet chews foliage.

Why are the leaf tips going brown?

Usually fluoride and salts in tap water, sometimes dry air. Switch to rainwater or filtered water, flush the pot through every few months, and trim the tips to shape.

How fast does it grow?

Slowly, around 15 to 30cm a year indoors in good light. That is part of the appeal, since it holds its shape for years without needing a bigger pot.

Can I make it shorter?

Yes. Cut the cane at the height you want with clean secateurs in spring. It reshoots from just below the cut, and the removed top can be struck as a new plant.