How to Care for a Janet Craig Houseplant

Place your Janet Craig in the brightest spot in your home. This plant’s leaves burn rapidly, so keep it out of direct sun to avoid scorching. While it tolerates low light, it is more attractive and grows faster in medium to bright indirect light.

Provide a warm temperature of around 65 to 75 degrees F for this Janet Craig. This tropical plant doesn’t thrive in temperatures cooler than 55 F. Avoid cold drafts, and don’t expose it to air currents from heating sources. Average household humidity is acceptable.

Water this dracaena thoroughly to evenly moisten the soil. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry out completely before you water again. This plant can’t tolerate standing in water, so err on the side of drier if you’re in doubt.

Feed Janet Craig sparingly to avoid leaf tip burn. This plant’s fertilizer requirements are relatively low. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer for houseplants at half-strength once every other month from spring through summer. Follow the packaging instructions carefully. Don’t feed it during the fall and winter.

Wipe the plant’s leaves with a soft damp cloth when it looks dusty.

Cut the stalk back to any height you desire in late spring or early summer if your Janet Craig grows too tall for your taste. The plant will soon produce a new cluster of leaves from the cut.