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Dracaena Compacta
Dracaena Compacta (Dracaena fragrans) is a compact, upright rosette houseplant prized for dense, glossy dark‑green leaves that form a tight “pineapple” crown and mostly hide the short cane. Indoors it stays small and architectural, tolerates low light and modest care, so it’s ideal for tabletops and small rooms; note it is toxic to cats and dogs, so avoid if pets may nibble the leaves.
- height Height
- 80 cm
- swap_horiz Pot Size
- 19 cm
- volunteer_activism Care
- Easy
- wb_sunny Light Needs
- Low light
- pets Not Pet Friendly
- water_drop Watering Needs
- Medium
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Quick care table
Plant care at a glance
| Care factor | Dracaena Compacta |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Dracaena fragrans (L.) Ker Gawl. |
| Common name | Dracaena Compacta, Janet Craig Compacta, Compact Dracaena, and Corn plant |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Light | Low light |
| Water | Medium |
| Pet safe | No, toxic if ingested |
| Growth habit | Compact, Upright Rosette of short, erect leaves on short cane-like stems; develops woody canes with age but remains dense. |
Compact growth habit — dark glossy rosette Dracaena Compacta
This selection shows the trait buyers notice first: a tight, pineapple-like crown of short, erect, glossy dark‑green leaves. The foliage is uniformly deep green rather than variegated, and the leaves form a dense rosette that hides the woody stem so the plant reads as a neat, architectural clump on sight.
As an established trade selection of Dracaena fragrans, it stays more compact than the standard Janet Craig form—leaves are shorter and whorl spacing is reduced—so you won’t see the long, exposed canes typical of larger corn‑plants. With age it can produce woody canes, but the Compacta habit keeps new leaf clusters close together rather than opening into a tall, tree‑like silhouette.
In everyday ownership expect low‑to‑moderate upkeep: it tolerates lower light and occasional neglect but is sensitive to overwatering and to salts in water or fertiliser, which can cause brown tips. Occasional pruning keeps the crown tidy. One clear limitation: all Dracaena fragrans selections are toxic to dogs and cats, so placement away from curious pets is important.
Best suited to smaller interiors, tabletops, desks or tight planters where a dense, green crown is wanted without a large trunk. Because this is a compact selected cultivar, even a modest potted specimen delivers that dense, polished look immediately—useful when space or scale is a concern.
Shipping Information
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- All orders are subject to a €25 minimum order value requirement
- All orders are hand-picked and shipped from the Netherlands
- Plastic-free materials when possible
- Orders are usually processed in 1-3 working days and shipped via DPD and their international partner carriers
- At times, orders may take up to 7 days to ship
- Orders to Germany Free shipping over €60. Free shipping all other EU countries* at €100 (Except Malta and Cyprus)
- Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on delivery country:
See our FAQ and Shipping Guarantee for any further Questions!
Variants: XL P19 - H80
Plant questions, answered
How does Dracaena Compacta differ from the standard 'Janet Craig' Dracaena?
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Dracaena Compacta is a selected, compact form of Dracaena fragrans with unusually short, erect leaves that form a tight rosette, so the woody cane stays mostly hidden. Compared with the standard 'Janet Craig', it has a denser, pineapple‑like crown—useful when you want the look of a corn plant in smaller rooms or tighter pots.
Is Dracaena Compacta suitable for low‑light rooms?
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Yes — Dracaena Compacta tolerates low to medium indirect light and is commonly used in lower‑light interiors. Growth will be slower in dimmer spots and foliage may be less vigorous, so place it where it gets some ambient light and avoid long periods in deep shade for best long‑term form.
Is this plant safe around cats and dogs?
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No — Dracaena Compacta is toxic to cats and dogs. Dracaena species can cause vomiting, drooling, diarrhea and lethargy if pets chew leaves or stems. Keep the plant well out of reach, supervise curious pets, and contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline immediately if you suspect ingestion.
How fussy is care—what about watering and humidity?
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Expect low‑to‑moderate maintenance: Dracaena Compacta tolerates occasional neglect but is sensitive to overwatering and to salts in water or fertiliser. Let the topsoil dry somewhat between waterings, use a free‑draining mix, and keep moderate indoor humidity to avoid brown leaf tips from dry air or buildup of salts.
Will the leaves be variegated like other Dracaena cultivars?
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Usually not; Dracaena Compacta is typically solid dark glossy green rather than variegated. If you want striped or cream‑edged foliage, cultivars such as 'Warneckii' or 'Massangeana' show that pattern—Compacta is chosen when you prefer uniform deep green and a tight, architectural crown.
Is Dracaena Compacta rare or a collector’s plant?
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No — it’s common in retail and interiorscape trade, but it’s prized by collectors and landscapers for its compact, architectural crown. It’s a practical choice when you want the corn plant look but need a smaller, dense specimen for tabletops, tight planters or grouped installations.
Plant care guide
Light
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Water
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Soil and repotting
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Humidity and temperature
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Feeding
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Growth and support
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Common concerns
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Overwatering / root rot: Allow the topsoil to dry between waterings and use a free‑draining mix; avoid leaving the pot sitting in water to prevent root rot.
Brown leaf tips from low humidity or salts in water: Increase ambient humidity where possible, avoid over‑fertilising and occasionally flush the soil if you use hard or salty water; trim damaged tips.
Yellowing leaves from poor drainage or nutrient imbalance: Check drainage and watering routine first, then feed lightly if needed and repot if the plant is rootbound.