Dracaena Janet Craig: The Quintessential Low Light Floor Plant
If you want a low light floor plant, then the Dracaena Janet Craig is for you. This houseplant thrives on neglect. Have I piqued your interest?
To make this plant even more appealing, a tougher version of the old standby Dracaena deremensis Janet Craig has been introduced: Dracaena Lisa.
Some Of Our General Houseplant Guides For Your Reference:
- Guide To Watering Indoor Plants
- Beginner’s Guide To Repotting Plants
- 3 Ways To Successfully Fertilize Indoor Plants
- How to Clean Houseplants
- Winter Houseplant Care Guide
- Plant Humidity: How I Increase Humidity For Houseplants
- Buying Houseplants: 14 Tips For Indoor Gardening Newbies
- 11 Pet-Friendly Houseplants
I’m old school and still call this plant Janet Craig even though Lisa is now the variety commonly sold on market.
When I worked in the interior plantscaping trade, the Janet Craig was the ultimate plant to stick in offices with low light and little air circulation.
They had a very low replacement rate, the main cause being overwatering. When I was ready to leave that profession, my cry was: “if I put one more dracaena in one more office, I’m gonna scream!”
How to Care for Dracaena Janet Craig
Chances are that if you’ve got a glossy, dark green, narrow-leaved Dracaena in the past few years, it’s the even tougher Dracaena Lisa. The care for Janet Craig is the same as for Lisa.
Light
Low to Medium. They’ll survive in low light but if the levels are increased, they’ll grow. Just be sure to keep it out of direct, hot sun.
Water
Low to Average. Don’t water this one too often. Depending on the size of the plant & its pot, no more than every 7-10 days. Here is some info on houseplant watering 101 which will help to determine the frequency. In the winter months when light levels drop, water even less often. Houseplants like to rest in the colder months too.
Fertilizer
I give most of my houseplants a light application of worm compost with a light layer of compost over that every spring. Easy does it – 1/4 to 1/2? layer of each for a larger sized houseplant. Read about my worm compost/compost feeding right here.
Pests
They’re most susceptible to mealy bug & spider mites.
Their long leaves would very much appreciate being cleaned off with a damp cloth if they become dirty and dusty. Not only does it look better (these dark glossy green leaves shine!) but it’ll help the plant to breathe.
Happy Houseplant Gardening!
This post may contain affiliate links, you can read our policies here.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
