Janet Craig Dracaena Plant

Janet Craig is a dark green dracaena houseplant. It copes well with lower indoor light.

Updated Oct 20, 2026. Edited by: Ilyass Ben Hakim.

Where to buy

Garden centres, home stores and online plant shops sell it. Large floor plants travel best when bought locally. Small pots ship well from online nurseries.

Professional insight

Nursery staff check roots and leaf tips first. Height matters less than plant health.

Brown leaf tips often point to tap water salts.
Lift the pot; very heavy soil may be waterlogged.
Several canes in one pot give a fuller look.
Compact Janet Craig is a smaller, denser form.

Check the label

Tag names Dracaena fragrans or deremensis Janet Craig.
Nursery pot diameter is stated in inches or centimetres.
Overall height includes or excludes the pot, as stated.
Light needs are listed as low to bright indirect.
Pet warning appears on the tag or listing.
Online listings say whether a decorative pot is included.

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Janet Craig plant facts

Botanical name: Dracaena fragrans 'Janet Craig'; Older tags say Dracaena deremensis.
Native range: Tropical Africa
Toxic principle: Saponins; Listed as toxic to dogs and cats.

Care

Place it in medium or bright indirect light.
Water when the top third of soil is dry.
Use rainwater or distilled water if tips brown.
Never leave the pot standing in water.
Keep it away from cold drafts and heaters.

Red flags

Soft or mushy base on the cane.
Yellow lower leaves dropping in bunches.
Sour smell from wet soil.
Webbing or sticky spots under the leaves.

Sizing

Typical nursery sizes
Pot size	Good spot
4 to 6 inch	Desk or shelf
8 to 10 inch	Side table or floor corner
12 inch and up	Floor plant for offices or lobbies

Janet Craig grows slowly indoors. Buy close to the size you want rather than waiting for growth.

Common questions

Is Janet Craig the same as a corn plant?: It is a cultivar of the same species. Janet Craig has plain dark green leaves.
Can Janet Craig grow in an office with no window?: It tolerates low light. A grow light keeps it healthier.
Is it safe around pets?: No. It contains saponins and is toxic to cats and dogs.