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Try this virtually indestructible plant that thrives on low light and little water. The Dracaena Janet Craig is perfect for people on the go with little time to waste! They even earn their keep by cleaning the air of nasty toxins! Their sword-like dark green 3 inches wide and eventually two feet-long leaves fill out the mature stalk, giving you that tropical vibe in your casa.
Dracaena Care Guide & Insights
Average comfortable room temperatures will be sufficient. These plants do not like heat or leaf discoloration will occur.
Depending on the size and indoor temperatures only water this plant every 7-10 days.
Spritz daily
Average comfortable room temperatures will be sufficient. These plants do not like heat or leaf discoloration will occur.
Outdoor landscape plant in morning part shade (4-6 hours), where nights are above 55°F.
Water the plant before fertilizing to avoid fertilizer burn. Fertilize once a month by diluting a liquid fertilizer into the water while watering. Use half the recommended strength. Fertilize in the spring and summer months but let the plant rest in the fall and winter.
When the plant is ready to repot (early spring before growth starts), plant in a 2" bigger container in diameter and slightly deeper than the existing container. Use an indoor container mix that is well-draining. Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Tenderly lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen. Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant was rootbound, cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling. Ensure the plant is sitting about 1" below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Do not cover the current level of soil on the plant but add soil up to this level. Replant and water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. Add more soil after watering if the soil settles. Hydrate the leaves with filtered water by spritzing. Your plant may wilt at first from transplanting but will recover shortly.
Gently wipe clean with a soft damp cloth or paper towel. Work gently from the stem's base toward the tip of the leaf doing both sides at once. After cleaning the leaves, remove any dead leaves or debris on the surface of the soil. At this time, keep a lookout for pests and treat or remove them. Refresh soil mixture if needed.
Prune away dead, damaged, or diseased leaves down to the stem base with sterile scissors or a knife. They can be pruned down to a manageable height if overgrown in early spring and summer. Cut off where you'd like new growth to start. Right below the cut, new growth will emerge.
To propagate this plant, you will take stalk cuttings in the early spring. This will cause the parent plant to branch eventually. Decide where you prefer the plant to branch. Trim the leaves away from the stalk all the way around to get a clean, proper cutting. Make a diagonal cut. With the cutting, remove the bottom leaves up 3-4 inches to expose the stalk. Place the stalk in a glass jar and fill with filtered water and watch the roots grow! Replace and freshen the water each week. After the roots are several months old, add to moistened potting soil and continue to water and give them the lighting requirements.
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Janet Craig Dragon Plant (Dracaena) Overview
The Janet Craig Dragon plant (Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’) has rosettes of glossy deep green leaves growing from an upright central stalk, each leaf curving elegantly downwards. It belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), and most of the plants in the Dracaena genus are native to the tropical regions of Africa. This robust plant can grow outdoors in hardiness zone 9 and warmer, where night temperatures remain above 55°F.
When grown as a house plant, Dracaena Janet Craig can reach up to 8 ft., and the plant’s life span is around 10 to 15 years. This beautiful house plant prefers medium indirect light; it’s also low-maintenance, making it a great beginner plant. The Janet Craig Dragon plant is also known by its alternative name, Dracaena fragrans ‘Compacta’ (‘fragrans’ refers to its fragrant white flowers). Dracaena is considered lucky in Chinese culture as the auspicious Lucky Bamboo, which also belongs to the Dracaena family. Although they’re fantastic house plants, it’s important to note that Dracaena plants are toxic for pets when ingested.
Dracaena fragrans varieties with variegated leaves include the Rare Cane Arturo Dragon Tree, with dark green leaves edged in yellow, and the Golden Heart Dragon Tree, with lime green stripes in the middle of each leaf.
Dracaena Janet Craig Benefits
- Increases humidity in indoor spaces by releasing moisture in the air
- Purifies the air from chemicals like formaldehyde
- It’s an easy-care plant, perfect for people with busy schedules
- Perfect for interior decoration
- Increases concentration and relieves stress
Dracaena Janet Craig Care Guide
A Janet Craig plant can tolerate various growing conditions and isn’t difficult to care for. Here’s what this flowering plant needs for best growth:
Watering and Light
Dracaena Janet Craig requires care when watering. One of the benefits of the Dracaena plant is that it doesn’t require frequent watering. Water sufficiently, but allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings to prevent root rot. This plant also needs medium indirect light as direct sun can scorch its leaves.
Temperature and Humidity
Keep Your Janet Craig plant away from drafts and at a stabl, warm temperature. If you want to grow your Dracaena as a porch plant, keep it in partial shade and bring it indoors if the night temperatures drop below 55°F. Originating from tropical Africa, Dracaenas enjoy extra humidity. For the best Janet Craig plant care, keep the surrounding air humid by occasionally misting your plant’s leaves.
Repotting, Soil, and Fertilizer
Usually, a Janet Craig Dracaena for sale won’t require repotting immediately. Dracaenas need to be repotted only once in about 3-5 years. If the plant’s roots start showing from the drainage holes, it’s an indication that it’s time to repot. Choose a pot that is 2 inches larger than the previous one. Always use a well-draining potting mix for your plant. Mix in some perlite for better drainage. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Janet Craig Plant: Propagation
You can propagate your plant from stem cuttings. Use rooting hormone on the cuttings and plant them in small pots with damp but well-draining soil. Once the new plants start growing, you can repot them and share them as gifts with friends!
Pruning, Cleaning, and Common Issues
Dracaenas require some pruning during spring and summer to encourage bushier growth. You can also trim any browning leaf tips. They result from excessive salts in the soil; flush the soil to remove the accumulated salts. If your Dracaena’s leaves are soft and drooping, it’s likely due to overwatering. Crisp brown spots on the leaves often indicate scorching from direct sunlight.
Janet Craig Plant: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
The Janet Craig Dracaena is a gorgeously showy plant with vivid dark green leaves, which can quickly become the focal point of your interior. Whether placed alone or in company with other indoor plants and trees, it will add an elegant, tropical note to your room.
Best Locations & Uses
- Perfect for people with busy schedules because of its easy-care requirements
- Beautiful porch plant for partially shaded patios in warm climate zones
- An air-purifying and humidity-regulating plant that is perfect for both bedrooms and bathrooms with windows
- Great for larger spaces as this plant can eventually reach ca. 8 ft. indoors
- Easy-care desk plant for your office that will keep you inspired and focused
Companion Plants
A Janet Craig plant makes an impressive centerpiece all on its own, but if you want to combine this tropical stunner with other plants for your home jungle, here are a few ideas:
- Golden Pothos Plant (Epipremnum aureus): The Golden Pothos is a highly resilient air-purifying plant that, like Dracaena Janet Craig, grows best in medium indirect light and doesn’t need frequent watering.
- Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens): With its delicate fronds, the Areca Palm is easy to care for, needing medium indirect light and infrequent watering.
- Syngonium White Butterfly (Syngonium podophyllum): Get the vigorous and easy-care Syngonium White Butterfly plant to add contrasting texture and color.
Alternative Plants
Beautiful as it is, the gorgeous Janet plant is toxic to pets; this is why we’ve selected several pet-friendly plants for you to consider instead:
- Calathea Concinna "Freddy" (Calathea concinna "Freddy"): With its stunningly striped foliage, Calathea Concinna "Freddy" is a gorgeous pet-friendly plant that will never fail to attract attention.
- Priscilla Guzmania Bromeliad (Guzmania bromeliad 'Priscilla'): The pet-safe Priscilla Guzmania Bromeliad is an easy-care plant with vivid green curving leaves. It produces a stunning inflorescence that can bloom for many months.
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): The pet-friendly Spider Plant has long leaves with lime green stripes, is low-maintenance, and is a favorite choice for growing as a hanging plant.