Question
Can you help me with properly pruning my corn plant? My plant is around 15 - 20 years old & is very healthy. The problem is it has grown so high we know longer have a ceiling high enough for it! It must be 15 ft. or more! All winter it has grown sideways along the ceiling as no room to go up anymore! I have never pruned it! I must do this soon as it sits outside all summer & it is time to bring it back in the house. It is one long stalk & all the leaves are around the top part. Where do I cut & exactly how, to save this beautiful plant? I don't want to kill it by pruning it. Thanks so much. Lee from Canada.

Answer
Hi Lee,

It would have been better if your corn plant had been pruned long before it started to push against the ceiling, but it is probably not too late. Pruning will not kill the plant.

The corn plant stem can be cut anywhere. A new head of leaves will emerge just below the point on the stem where you make the pruning cut and grow up from there. So I suggest that you prune back well below the ceiling so it will have lots of room to grow before you have to prune it back again.

When you prune, use a sharp knife and you can cut at any angle. The wound should be left in the open air. That's it.

The pruned off portion can rooted in damp soil or in the existing pot. Prune off all but the last 6 inches of stem below the lowest leaves before inserting it in moist soil.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

Visit my web site at www.HorticulturalHelp.com

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.