Suppose you are roaming around your garden and have caught sight of some small plants that look like corn stalks but there are still no corn plants. Just imagine you haven’t ever planted corn in your yard but you will get amazing corn-like spices. It looks incredible in random places.
The shooting-up corn stems have the same appearance as corn and might look unique. So, today I will talk about Plants that looks like corn stalks. Are you eager to know that? Keep reading this guide and discover whether you have these plants in your yard.
Table of Contents
House Plants That Equal To Corn:
When we think of a plant that looks similar to corn, we get the plant named “Dracaena fragrans massangeana”. It appears as a corn stalk but it is not that. Like corn, Dracaena has no tassel or ears. Still, the leaves of this plant have the same appearance as corn torsi. The unique grain contains a thick stem that looks like a branch of a corn tree. Usually, the leaves sprout on the canopy of the stem.
The bright green foliage makes Dracaena more eye-catching to people. If you want to plant something greenery in your yard, you can have a try at this plant for sure. Planting this special seed is very easy and simple. It only needs proper watering every day.
Keep the plants away from direct sunlight. Because they can’t grow in bold sunlight. For proper growth of this plant, you have to irrigate and look after it properly. You know what? Dracaena also produces an occasional flower that looks like a corn stalk. The blooms seem amazing. The particular blossoms give a different look to your garden.
1. Dracaena Fragrans Massangeana:
Dracaena, the most well-known corn-like plant, has a forcefully decent, lush green shrub along with a stout tan stem and tassels. On the top of the stem, there are sword-shaped long leaves. The leaves are thin and arching. You will find a golden-yellow stripe on the center of the leaves. These stripes make the leaves more eye-catching. When the plant gets mature, it is supposed to plop its lower leaves down. The plant often carries colorful succulent blooms to enhance the beauty of your garden.
Dracaena is a widely used house plant that can withstand internal conditions properly. It is proved that the plant can also eradicate fatal chemicals from the atmosphere. This is an easy-growing grain that will brighten your home for sure. It can be 10-15 feet long and 3-4 feet wide.
The plant grows best in well-irrigated soils and partial sunlight. In a greenhouse, it needs acceptable humidity for cultivation. While the plant is being thrived, maintain consistent moisture and temperature. Keep the internal temperature between 15-24° C. You can continue a liquid fertilizer month to month. It is an outstanding plant for pots and Mediterranean gardens.
Buy Dracaena Fragrans Massangeana Plant
Outdoor Plants That Correspond To Corn Stalk:
You rarely find indoor plants that resemble corn stalks. But, so many outdoor plants correspond to corn. You would be glad to know that the follicles of your useful broom are made from the plant called “Broom Corn”. The specific plant has no similar leaves like corn, but the bulk resembles corn tassels.
Secondly, grain sorghum is a plant that looks like corn on the cob. It is more colorful than corn stalk. The grain sorghum, also named “milo” can be used as feed for cattle. Although it resembles a corn stalk, it is much shorter than corn plants. The specific plant may be reddish, yellowish, or attacking bronze in hue. The apex of the plant is named its head. The head can also be white.
Thirdly there is another corn-like plant that is millet. The grain-like plant contains leaves similar to corn leaves. It doesn’t produce tassels like corn but has corn-like leaves. If you want to plant corn-like grains in your yard, you can go for millet. This grain will give an incredible greenery look to your garden. It sometimes produces occasional blooms of different colors. The grain can also be used as food for birds.
2. Grain Sorghum:
Grain sorghum or milo is a grass plant that resembles a corn stalk. But the leaves and roots are more finely spread than corn. It processes similar characteristics to corn plants. The growth habits are exactly the same as corn stalks.
You may cultivate milo instead of corn. It has a panicle head on the top and a thick stem alongside it. There are spikelets in pairs. The lush green leaves are attached to the stem. Sorghum can produce different striking flowers. It needs 3-9 days for flowering. In general, blooming occurs in the late night or morning at 2:00-8:00 a.m.
For growing grain sorghum needs a low temperature usually 80° F. July is the best time for their growth. To cultivate this plant it’s vital to maintain the soil temperature at 60-65° F. The soils should be well-drained and properly moist. Sorghum is being used as a feed grain worldwide. It has a similar food value to corn. It contains more protein and fat but has a low vitamin A. This can also be used as cattle feed when it is cracked or rolled.
For growing grain sorghum needs a low temperature usually 80° F. July is the best time for their growth. To cultivate this plant it’s vital to maintain the soil temperature at 60-65° F. The soils should be well-drained and properly moist. Sorghum is being used as a feed grain worldwide. It has a similar food value to corn. It contains more protein and fat but has a low vitamin A. This can also be used as cattle feed when it is cracked or rolled.
3. Millet:
You may have heard the name ‘Proso millet’- a plant that looks similar to corn. The seedlings of proso millet are similar to corn seeds. It is a wild grain that is sometimes known as broomcorn millet. The plant can be 6-feet tall with a long curved stem decorated with thin leaves. It includes a head that is 16-inch long and ready for self-seeds.
Wild millet can be used as feed for livestock and also birdseed. Sometimes it is considered as weed grass for planters. Because it reduces the yield of other crops, reluctant to some herbicides, and even spreads rapidly. You need to sow the soil in 12mm, not more than that. It demands bright sunlight and soil has a pH of 7.8. The plant doesn’t prefer watering regularly. Water it when the soil becomes dry. To be mature, the weed millet needs 60-90 days after planting. It is self-pollinating and carries blooms for about 1 week.
Millet can be utilized as an alternative for corn or sorghum in livestock. Different types of wild birds such as pheasants, bobwhite quail, and wild ducks used to have millet as feed. You should know the variety of millet. Because some millet can be problematic to farmers.
Some Weeds That Resemble Corn:
You can find some weeds that look like corn stalks shooting up in your yard or garden. When we think of grass that resembles corn, we get the specific variety “Arundo”. It originated from Europe and is often called rhetorical grass. The weed contains wide bumbo-like sticks and often corn-like leafage. It doesn’t generate tassels or ears like corn, but it has leaves similar to corn. Thus, Arundo is one of the most well-known corn-like weeds you have ever found.
The watery season is the perfect time to cultivate Arundo. They need enough moisture, well-irrigated soils, and bright sunlight to grow properly. Take care of the plants every day.
But you can also get some easy-growing grasses that look like corn. Although they have an appearance like corn, there’s nothing to get excited about with them as they are good for your garden. They are the noxious varieties that sometimes can get out of control. You should weed out the grasses as soon as possible.
4. Arundo:
There is a special grass named Arundo that has a similar appearance to corn. It is a European variety of weed grass that is often called ornamental grass. It has long bumbo-like canes and thin green leaves attached to the stem. The elegant plant has no tassels or ears like corn but possesses a similar impression of corn. You may cultivate the plant on rainy days. The plant prefers well-drained soils and bright sunlight for proper growth.
Arundo thrives in moistness, so you have to maintain proper watering. It is highly tolerant to all weather. But it prefers low temperatures. The drought-tolerant plant keeps its leaves fresh without additional water. But drastic winter may lead to destroying the stem. However, the root can live for a long period. Sometimes, the grass can grow aggressively. It then gets out of management.
The invasive Arundo plant can inhibit the growth of other crops. The roots are easy to carve out. The perfect time for carving is the late spring. The plant can resist mild winters. You can cultivate indoors also. In a greenhouse, it needs optimum temperature to grow. The soil pH should be acidic for optimum growth. Maintain proper watering and take proper care during cultivation.
There are the name of some harmful varieties of weeds that you should eradicate immediately-
- Crabgrass
- Quack grass
- Giant Reed
- Johnson Grass
I suggest weeding out the grasses soon if you discover any kind of variety in your lawn. The weeds can hamper other plants to grow properly. The weeds turn into a burden when they go out of control. So, get off the weeds as early as possible. For ultimate control, you can apply a reliable method to weed them out. You can use organic weed killers that you find from markets.
Make sure to eradicate these grasses when their heads appear. This is because the seeds germinate quickly. I must say if every corn-like plant is not good for your yard. So, if you notice something like that, first examine whether they are good or bad. For this, you need to know where corn plants can grow. You should impede weeds from overtaking your lawn.
5. Johnson Grass:
Johnson grass, also called Sorghum halepense, is an easy-growing weed that has a similar appearance to corn. It has a height of 6-7 feet with a thick stem and striking leaves. Sorghum halepense is generally good for nothing but works as a pest in the garden. In every USDA zone, it is restricted to grow in the yard. It impedes other crops from growing properly. Sometimes it hampers other plants.
Likewise corn, Johnson grass contains an ovoid red-brown to black seed organized to the roots. The leaves are lush green and have flat edges. There is a base to support the leaves that is called ‘vein’. The vein is off-white. This plant also produces colorful blooms in May and October.
Johnson grass can be cultivated in riparian areas also. It used to grow in different yards including vegetable gardens, vineyards, and orchards. You should pull off the grasses as soon as possible when they start to appear. Dislodge the weeds from soils with a hand or a fine weed eater. You can also apply some weed killers to permanently get off the weeds. But be sure you’re using a product that won’t hamper other plants.
Some Important Frequently Asked Questions About Corn Plants:
How Much Water Does A Corn Plant Require?
To plant corn, proper watering is very important. Corn plants need to keep moist to grow properly. There is no recommended amount of water for corn plants. But experts say irrigate corn plants every day until the soil gets moist.
But that doesn’t mean excessive watering. Excessive watering of plants causes leaf dropping, deterioration, or even death of the plant.
How Long Do Corn Plants Get?
Corn plants have one thick stem that contains leaves, tassels, or ears. Usually, the height of the plant relies on the variety of corn and the environment of the place where it is being planted. In general, a corn plant can be 8-feet tall. But there is a specific variety of corn plants that is over 30 feet. But, you barely find these plants.
How Much Sunlight Does A Corn Plant Need?
For the proper growth of corn plants, it is important to keep them moist always. But the soil should not be soggier. You need to fertilize the soil every 6 months and water them regularly. Corn plants can’t grow in direct sunlight. They need bright sunlight but not direct sunlight.
Usually, Dracaena fragrans massangeana, a specific corn plant needs low light condition. Place the plants away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves of corn.
How Long Do Corn Plants Live?
If you want to make your garden lush green, you can grow corn plants. They look eye-dashing with their green tall leaves. But, after a period, the corn leaves started to lose their foliage and get yellowish. If you notice that, be sure your corn plants have a limited lifespan. Generally, corn leaves remain green and lush for 2-3 years.
How Can You Tell Grass From Corn?
There are some corn-like grasses found in the yard. Corn grasses are found around the stem. It consists of a central “vessel” to support the leaves. Corn grasses produce spikelet-shaped blooms on the top of the stem. But the blooms have no petals. Accordingly, corn plants are often called lawn grass. If you notice excessive corn grass, you should weed out the grasses soon.
How Do I Get My Corn Plant To Bloom?
Corn plants often develop striking blossoms. The blooms look incredible and give a different glaze to your garden. Corn plants don’t need bright sunlight to produce flowers. You can also get flowers on your corn plant if they get enough sunlight indoors. You may plant it in a greenhouse to get blooms.
To carry flowers the corn plant needs a 45° temperature for 2 weeks in a greenhouse. Maintain the proper temperature for early flowering. Take care of this plant as usual and water it properly.
Why Are My Corn Stalks Short?
Although corn needs to water regularly, over wetted soil inhibits the growth of corn plants. Too watered soil can get your corn stalks shorter. Sometimes this happens due to the lack of nitrogen in the soil. Corn plants require a huge amount of nitrogen for their proper growth.
Nitrogen works as a nutrient for corn to grow properly. If you notice your corn stalks get shorter, you may use nitrogen fertilizer to the soil. It ensures the proper expansion of your corn plants. Thus, your corn stalks won’t get shorter.
Last Few Words:
If you want to give a lush green look to your garden, corn plants can be a great choice for you. Alongside the corn plants, you also have some plants similar to corn plants. They resemble corn but aren’t. They possess the same characteristics as corn plants.
So, we discussed here 5 plants that looks like corn stalks. Here you will get the further aspects of the different corn plants. You can plant these species in your yard instead of corn also. Keep reading this guide and know the further details.
