Corn Plant Seeds: Complete Buy & Grow Guide

Have you ever been mesmerized by the lush green Corn plants and their unique white flowers and wondered if you can ever grow one?

Yes, you can, and you can quickly grow one using the old-school method of propagating seeds.

In fact, you can quickly obtain and process seeds from the mature berry that grows one to four seeds.

Generally, to grow Corn plants from seeds, harvest 2-4 seeds from mature berries once the plant begins blossoming. Sprinkle a couple of seeds in a moistened seed starting mix and keep the temperature between 68-80°F. Moreover, to successfully propagate them, place the tray under a grow light.

Otherwise, you can also order healthy seeds from the store and grow them indoors in a conducive environment.

However, propagating seeds is complex and may take longer than growing the cuttings.

Read on to find out how to harvest healthy seeds from the Corn plant and successful ways to propagate them.

Corn Plant Seeds Overview

The Corn plant, also known as Dracaena fragrans, is a flowering species hailing from the tropical region of Southern Africa.

The Corn plant is technically not Corn. The resemblance of the central stalk to sweet Corn gives its signature name.

Although they naturally grow as trees that measure 15-50 feet in the wild, indoor-grown Corn plant will hardly reach 6 feet.

They were introduced as an indoor plant in the mid-1800s for their striking green leaves and blossoms that grow out every spring-summer.

However, it may take years before your Corn plant matures to produce berries. The Dracaena seeds come from ripened berries and may resemble black sesame seeds.

Using their cuttings and seeds, you can quickly propagate these indoor plants at home.

Although the second approach is less common, you can propagate multiple plants simultaneously from numerous seeds.

Growing Corn plant seeds is more or less common to germinating any plant seed, but it is the care that ensures healthy growth.

Here is a brief description of Corn plant seed.

The Corn plant seeds will germinate in four to six weeks, providing a conducive environment.

How do you Get Corn Plant Seeds?

You can easily obtain the seeds from the matured Corn plant; however, it may take at least 4-5 years for these plants to develop before producing seeds.

The seeds from monocot found in the Corn plant berries are only produced after the plant starts blossoming.

Therefore, caring for the plant is essential to ensure healthy blossoms.

Provide ample indirect light, loamy potting soil, slightly acidic pH, monthly fertilization, and 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit temperature with 40-50% humidity.

Not all Draceana fragrans species blossom simultaneously; however, obtaining seeds from all species would remain the same.

Here are the tools required to extract seeds from the Corn plant.

However, do not forget to disinfect the tools and store seeds in a cool place until you decide to propagate them.

Steps to Extract Corn Plant Seeds

Here is the detailed instruction for carefully extracting Corn plant seeds.

• Wait until your Corn plant is a few feet tall and has started producing flowers.
• Once the flowers blossom, the plant will produce green berries when immature but turn reddish-orange as they ripen.
• You need to handpick each berry from the plant and manually process it.
• Smash it using your hand to obtain seed-containing shells.
• Keep them in a tight Ziploc and store them in a cool, dark place to let them dry. Let it sit for a few days.
• Pour the seeds on plain paper and gently tilt the first paper to separate the seeds from their shells.

The seeds should resemble the black sesame seeds once you uncover the light-colored shells.

Note: Cover outdoor-grown Corn plants with a pest-exclusion net to keep birds and small animals away from the maturing berries.

Is Corn Plant Hard to Grow from Seeds?

Growing Corn from seeds is not difficult but a slow and gradual process that requires utmost care.

Depending on the growing condition, it will take anywhere from 4-5 weeks for Corn plant seeds to germinate.

The best thing about Corn plant seeds is that you can store them for later use, but ensure to soak them in lukewarm water before sowing to get the desired result.

Moreover, sow them only when the danger of frost has passed.

Otherwise, grow them indoors under a LED grow light until they are ready to be moved.

Where to Buy Corn Plant Seeds?

Here is the list of a few reliable retailers selling quality Corn plant seeds for propagation.

Steps to Propagate Corn Plant Seeds

The best time to germinate Corn plants via seed is early spring.

Here is a step-by-step instruction to propagate Corn plant seeds at home.

Materials Required

Start with assembling the correct materials before propagation.

Step 1: Prepare the Seed

Take out the seeds from the Ziploc and prepare to process them.

• Scrub the seeds to remove the shell in case you have not removed it before.
• Sprinkle some seed in a small cup and pour lukewarm water.
• Let it soak for at least four hours before you begin sowing. Otherwise, leave them overnight.
• Freshly extracted seeds do not need soaking in water.

Step 2: Prepare the Starter Mix

A seed starter mix usually contains organic and inorganic material that provides support and healthy microbes.

• Mix four parts organic compost, one part perlite, one part vermiculite, and two parts peat moss.
• Stir the ingredients and moisten them thoroughly.
• Otherwise, you can get a commercial seed starter mix from the store.

Step 3: Sow the Seeds

Get the germination tray and fill each section with the seed-starter mix.

• Fill each section with starter mix until 1/4 inch.
• Place seed on the soil and gently push it inside.
• Add one seed per section for freshly harvested seeds. Add 2-3 seeds per section for a year-old seed to increase the germination likelihood.
• Lightly dust the starter mix with sand to prevent the moisture from escaping.

Note: You can use a large container to sow all seeds. Ensure to keep 6 inches (16 cm) distance between each seed and insert it approximately two inches deep.

Step 4: Care During Germination and Transplant

• Water the mix every day until it begins to sprout (2-3 weeks).
• Limit watering to three times a week and twice a week for the last two weeks.
• Cover the tray with a clear plastic bag or sheet to lock in humidity, but avoid it if you use non-sterile compost mix, which may lead to fungal growth.
• Move the tray to an area that receives 8-10 hours of indirect sunlight.
• Otherwise, use LED grow lights that are more reliable. Keep it 2-3 inches under grow lights for 14-18 hours daily.
• Ensure to provide between 77-85°F temperatures to boost the germination process.
• You can also use a heating pad to maintain the ideal temperature for seeds to germinate faster.
• Transplant them into 2-inch (5 cm) pots with at least one drainage hole about three weeks after they sprout or once they get one to two sets of true leaves.
• Mix one part sterilized soil with one part peat moss or leaf mold and one part coarse sand or perlite for good drainage.

Check out our article about different ways of propagating the Dracaena plant using the cuttings.

Care for Corn Seeds After Germination

Let us dive into the primary care needs for Corn plant seedling growth.

Conclusion

Corn plant seeds are very welcoming regarding propagation, and each seed will reward you with a healthy plant.

However, remember to provide excellent care to encourage the plant to grow berries.

Follow the harvest, propagation, and after-care guide to avoid making costly mistakes.

Related Article: Best Corn Plant Soil and Fertilizer for Healthy Growth.