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can i chop my corn plant?

11 years ago

I have a 12 year old corn plant that I've cut several times (usually cut about 1/3 of the top off). It continues to grow well and is up to the ceiling again, but I was wondering about all the brown on the bottom....if I cut the plant all the way down to the dirt to get rid of the old brown growth, will the plant grow back okay? Also, can you root the clippings?

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Comments (5)

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
Hey, Jenn, you found the right spot. Pic upright below for those who were also seeing it sideways.

Yes, you can cut it, yes the cut-off part can be propagated, yes the stump should sprout a new top. It looks like there's enough material there to make several new plants, depending on size of each. Does reading this discussion give you the info you need? 'piercing my ceiling'. Scheffs, Dracs, Ficus, all very similar in pruning/propagation, except for the stuff about Scheffs and Ficus making side branches/'filling out,' doesn't apply to Dracs.

There's also timing to consider. When did you have in mind for doing this?
0
User
11 years ago
Cutting it back is probably best left until Spring (at least conventional wisdom suggests that).
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greenchic, How much should I cut off the top? 1, 2, or 3 feet? Maybe even more? Because it's doing so well, I don't want to shock the plant. I got the healthy corn plants from my Mom. She has ultra green thumbs and propagates them here/there and she leaves them outside to get full and bushy (doesn't get below 35 deg). When I got these corn plants (3 plants total), they were about 6'-7' tall and a PITA to get home without damaging too many of the leaves. It's taken them about a little over a year to get to 9' tall. I was thinking of giving these back to her and swap them for some of her other healthy plants, but it's such a big hassle to move them now that they're so big. So, my delimna.... what to do with them now. How much should I cut off? If I try rooting them in water, do I put the cuttings in bright indirect light or in the same spot as where the plant is currently? thanks, Lali
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Do you have pictures? From the visual I am getting the plant has new growth just below where you cut it? If so it sounds like a normal occurrence. Pictures would help though.
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Jenn48
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought of when to cut it since I wasn't sure if it was even possible--I don't want to kill it! I just want to get rid of the brown growth and maybe start a new plant or two.
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stewartsjon
11 years ago
Yep, cut in March, should sprout but might take a good four weeks to do anything!
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greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
I'd wait until June so that the plant has gained some energy back after the winter indoors. If you can get it outside in some shade, that'll really help re-vitalize it. Then, when you chop, the new growth will resume that much sooner.

Josh
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