Dracaena Janet Craig Compacta (Pineapple Plant) — Live Houseplant

Low-Light Tolerant · Slow & Tidy Growth · Easy Care · Ships Potted or Bare Root Overview Meet the Dracaena Janet Craig Compacta, better known as the "Pineapple Plant." Its glossy, deep green leaves grow in a dense, upright rosette that looks a lot like the top of a pineapple, giving desks, shelves, and small rooms a clean, architectural accent. The nickname describes its shape only; this plant doesn't produce fruit. A cultivar of Dracaena fragrans (formerly D. deremensis), Janet Craig Compacta is one of the most dependable indoor plants around. It grows slowly, tolerates lower light, and doesn't mind the occasional missed watering, which makes it a go-to for offices, apartments, and first-time plant owners. What You'll Receive 1 live Janet Craig Compacta plant, hand-selected for healthy, full foliage Your choice of format: Potted — arrives rooted in a nursery grow pot, ready to display or set inside a decorative planter Bare Root — ships without pot or soil at a lower price, ready to plant in your own pot and mix Size: 5+ inches tall Every plant is one of a kind. Size, leaf arrangement, and fullness vary naturally. Key Features Compact, pineapple-shaped rosette of dense, upright leaves Glossy, deep green foliage with a clean, modern look Tolerates low light, so it works in offices and interior rooms Forgiving watering needs, letting the soil dry between drinks Slow growth that keeps it neat on a desk or shelf for a long time Benefits Adds structure and greenery to small spaces without frequent upkeep Works in rooms without a sunny window Ideal for beginners and busy schedules Slow growth means less pruning and repotting A polished, low-maintenance accent for modern and minimalist decor Product Specifications Specification Details Scientific Name Dracaena fragrans 'Janet Craig Compacta' Also Known As Pineapple Plant, Dracaena compacta Former Name Dracaena deremensis Plant Family Asparagaceae Native Range Tropical Africa (species) Plant Type Terrestrial indoor foliage plant (not aquatic) Size at Shipping 5+ inches Growth Habit Dense, upright rosette of glossy leaves Growth Rate Slow Light Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light Water When the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry Water Quality Non-fluoridated water preferred (distilled or rain) Soil Well-draining potting mix, pH 6.0–6.5 Temperature 65–80°F (18–27°C); keep above 50°F (10°C) Pet Safety Toxic to cats and dogs if eaten (ASPCA) Difficulty Level Easy Care Guide Lighting Bright, indirect light keeps growth full and strong, but it adapts well to lower-light rooms. Avoid direct sun, which can burn the leaves. In very dim spots, new leaves may grow narrower. Watering Water thoroughly when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry, then let the extra drain away. Never let the pot sit in standing water, and water less in winter. Room-temperature water is best. Water Quality Dracaenas are sensitive to fluoride and built-up salts, which cause brown or yellow leaf tips. Use non-fluoridated water such as distilled or rainwater when you can, and flush the soil with plenty of water about once a month to rinse out salts. Soil Use a well-draining indoor potting mix that's slightly acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). Avoid mixes heavy in perlite, which can release fluoride. Fertilization Feed with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer, and skip feeding in winter. Heavy feeding can burn the leaf tips. Temperature It's happiest at 65–80°F (18–27°C). Keep it above 50°F (10°C), away from cold drafts and heating or AC vents, since sudden temperature swings can cause leaf drop. Leaf Care Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth now and then to keep them glossy and dust-free, and check occasionally for scale and spider mites. Perfect For Indoor desks and shelves Offices and workspaces Apartments and small rooms Low-light indoor spaces Beginner plant owners Low-maintenance plant collections Important Notes Not an aquarium plant. Janet Craig Compacta is sometimes sold as an aquarium plant, but it's a terrestrial houseplant and will rot if kept underwater. Grow it in soil. Toxic to pets. Dracaenas contain saponins and are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so keep it out of their reach. "Pineapple Plant" is a nickname. It refers to the plant's shape; it does not produce fruit. Natural variation. Size, leaf arrangement, and fullness vary, and appearance can change with lighting and care. Photos show a representative plant. Live Arrival Guarantee We guarantee live arrival when our temperature guidelines are followed. If your plant arrives damaged, contact us within 2 hours of delivery with clear photos. We'll send a replacement within 2 business days. Extreme weather packaging is required when temperatures are below 40°F or above 100°F. Why Choose Our Janet Craig "Pineapple Plant"? Clean, architectural growth that suits modern spaces Adapts to indoor lighting, from bright rooms to offices Easy care for busy lifestyles and new plant owners Compact size that fits small spaces Two ways to buy: potted and ready to display, or bare root for your own planter Curated by PlantedPro, a specialist shop for live plants and aquascaping Your Top 5 Questions — Answered Q. Is the Janet Craig Pineapple Plant safe for cats and dogs? = No. The ASPCA lists Dracaena fragrans, the species Janet Craig Compacta belongs to, as toxic to cats and dogs. It contains saponins, which can cause vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite, and depression, plus dilated pupils in cats. Keep it where pets can't chew on it. Q. Does the Janet Craig purify the air? = Janet Craig was one of the plants in NASA's 1989 Clean Air Study, which is why it's often called air-purifying. Later research, including a 2019 review from Drexel University, found that potted plants remove indoor pollutants far more slowly than normal ventilation, so a few plants won't make a measurable difference in a home. Choose it for its looks and easy care. Q. Why are the leaf tips turning brown? = The usual causes are fluoride or salt buildup from tap water and fertilizer, heavy feeding, or very dry air. Switch to distilled or rainwater, flush the soil monthly, feed lightly, and trim brown tips with clean scissors if you like. Q. Can Janet Craig Compacta grow in an aquarium? = No. Even though it's sometimes sold as an aquarium plant, it's a terrestrial dracaena that rots when submerged. Grow it in well-draining soil. Q. How big does a Janet Craig Compacta get? = It grows slowly and stays compact for a long time. Ours ship at 5+ inches tall, and after many years indoors, it can eventually reach 3 feet or more.