Why a 16-Year-Old Corn Plant Blooms Annually

Triggering Blooms on Dracaena fragrans

A corn plant that blooms yearly with lilac-scented flowers has two secrets:

1. Stay rootbound: Stop repotting. Tight pots promote flowering.
2. Epsom salts: ¼ cup annually in spring (magnesium sulfate triggers bloom).

Supporting Care

• Bright indirect light.
• Water when top inch dry.
• Monthly bloom-boost fertilizer (high phosphorus).

Snake plants also bloom fragrantly when rootbound. The heavy scent at night is characteristic.