The corn plant, or Dracaena fragrans, is a widely favored houseplant, appreciated for its attractive, glossy foliage and relatively simple care requirements. While its lush green leaves are a familiar sight, the plant’s flowering is a rare and often unexpected occurrence for indoor growers, making it a particularly special event when it happens.
The Rare Bloom: Appearance and Fragrance
When a corn plant flowers, it produces small, star-shaped blossoms that typically appear in shades of white or creamy yellow. These delicate flowers emerge in clusters on a tall, central stalk that can extend up to three feet in height. The buds are slender, approximately an inch long, and possess a silky texture, often displaying a warm creamy white or pale pink color before opening.
A distinguishing characteristic of the corn plant’s bloom is its potent, sweet fragrance, which becomes particularly strong at night. This scent can fill an entire room, often described as intense, heady, and perfumed, sometimes even being considered overpowering or cloying by some individuals. The flowers open near sunset or after dark and then close by day, with the entire blooming period lasting for several weeks.
Why and When Corn Plants Flower
An indoor corn plant’s decision to flower is primarily a sign of maturity and optimal growing conditions. These plants need to reach a certain age, often several years (sometimes five to ten years or more), before they are mature enough to produce blooms. Consistent warmth, adequate humidity, and sufficient indirect light contribute significantly to creating an environment where a corn plant feels secure enough to expend the considerable energy required for flowering.
While a happy and well-established plant is the most common reason for blooming, some instances of flowering might be triggered by a plant experiencing stress, as a survival mechanism to produce seeds. Indoor flowering is not something to actively encourage, given its rarity and the substantial energy output it demands from the plant.
Caring for a Flowering Corn Plant
Once a corn plant begins to flower, it is recommended to maintain its regular watering and light schedule. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged, allowing the top inch or two to dry out between waterings. During the bloom period, it is advisable to avoid fertilizing, as the plant is already expending significant energy on the flowers.
Due to the strong and pervasive fragrance of the blooms, particularly at night, consider ventilating the room or temporarily moving the plant if the scent becomes too overwhelming. Once the flowering period concludes and the blooms fade, the spent flower stalk should be pruned. This can be done by cutting the stalk back to the foliage, which allows the plant to conserve energy and redirect it towards foliage growth and overall recovery.