English/ Common name- Corn Plant
Botanical name- Dracaena fragrans
Appearance-Dracaena fragrans is a slow-growing shrub, usually multi-stemmed at the base, mature specimens reaching 15m (49 feet) or taller with a narrow crown of usually slender erect branches. It has thick brown stems and green leaves (often with a yellow stripe down the middle) that look like those of a corn plant.
Origin- It is native throughout tropical Africa, from Sudan south to Mozambique, west to Côte d'Ivoire, and southwest to Angola, growing in upland regions at 600–2,250 m (1,970–7,380 ft) altitude.
Conditions required for growth-The plant grows well in loose, moist peaty potting soil that has good drainage. It thrives in average humidity (40-50%) and temperature ranging between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 24 degrees Celsius). Watering is preferred when the top inch of the soil is partially dry.
Uses- Dracaena fragrans are one of the most effective houseplants in air purification. It helps remove formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon dioxide. These are chemicals linked with several health problems among them headaches, respiratory problems, anemia, kidney disease among others.
Hazards- If you have dogs or cats at home, it's advisable to avoid planting any Dracaena, which can be toxic if ingested, especially by smaller animals. The saponins in the plant's leaves and bark can induce vomiting or vomiting blood, anorexia, excessive salivation, and depression.
- Dracaena are safe plants for humans to be around. Touching the plant's leaves and even accidental ingestion are unlikely to provoke any illness. However, regardless of toxin content, many plants, including Dracaena, can cause negative reactions in people with allergies or heightened sensitivities.
