The Dracaena fragrans ‘Golden Heart’ is a top-notch indoor plant, celebrated for its bold, colourful foliage and low-maintenance nature. Often called the Happy Plant or Corn Plant, this cultivar has a robust, woody trunk topped with a lush rosette of broad, sword-shaped leaves. Its standout feature is the vibrant variegation, with a broad, creamy-yellow stripe running down the centre of each leaf, framed by a rich green. This bright foliage makes it a fantastic way to add a bit of tropical cheer to any room.
Caring for Your ‘Golden Heart’
- Growing Conditions: This plant thrives in a spot with bright, indirect light. While it’s quite adaptable and can tolerate lower light, too much direct sun can scorch the leaves and cause the colours to fade. It prefers a warm, consistent temperature and needs to be kept away from cold draughts.
- Watering: Overwatering is the biggest risk for this plant. Let the top few centimetres of soil dry out completely before you water it again. It’s much better to underwater than to overwater. Make sure the pot has excellent drainage.
- Feeding: It’s a light feeder. A balanced liquid fertiliser, diluted to half strength, is sufficient during the warmer growing months (spring and summer). It doesn’t need feeding in autumn and winter.
- Pruning: You can prune your ‘Golden Heart’ to control its height or to encourage new growth and a bushier shape. Just cut the trunk at the desired height, and new leaf rosettes will sprout from below the cut.
Usage in the Home and Garden
This Dracaena is an ideal indoor specimen, perfect for filling a corner, sitting in a living room, or adding height to a plant collection. It’s also known for its air-purifying qualities. Its elegant, upright form makes it a versatile decorative plant. In warmer, frost-free climates, it can also be used outdoors in a sheltered, partly shaded spot in the garden or in pots on a patio.
