The common upright evergreen houseplant in the genus Dracaena is the mass cane plant, also known as corn plant or Dracaena massangeana. Dracaena fragrans ‘massangeana’ is a cultivar of Dracaena fragrans, and its scientific name reflects this tropical tree-like flowering plant.
A leafy crown of long, sword-shaped arching leaves surrounds the cane plant. It has golden-yellow streaks down the center of its glossy green leaves.
How to Care For Mass Cane Plant – Overview
Grow mass cane plant (Dracaena massangeana) in well-draining potting soil and high humidity to care for it. When the earth is only partially dry, water the plant. In a bright room with indirect sunlight, place the mass cane. 60°C to 75°F (15°C to 24°C) is the optimum temperature range. During the growing season, fertilize monthly.
Mass Cane Plant Information
African natives cultivate large cane plants that may reach heights of over 50 feet (15 meters). A potted mass cane tree can reach 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) in height when planted indoors. Mass cane plants’ glossy green leaves decorating the tips of thick woody stems are an appealing feature. Their arching leaves may be up to 3 feet (1 meter) long and 4 inches (12 centimeters) broad.
In both homes and workplaces, sugar cane plants are low-maintenance houseplants. They grow well in low-light situations and thrive in bright light. Dracaena massangeana canes may grow practically anywhere indoors if they are treated with little care. This is a comprehensive guide to caring for mass cane plants. You’ll also learn how to deal with issues associated with indoor Dracaena corn growth.
How to Care for Mass Cane Plant (Dracaena massangeana)
Providing enough light, water when the top layer of soil is dry, and misting the leaves on a regular basis are the most essential care tips for caring for mass cane plants at home. It’s critical to get the soil density correct so your cane tree has excellent drainage in order for it to thrive. So, now that you know how to help your plant flourish in your house or workplace, let’s take a closer look.
Mass Cane Light Requirements
Dracaena massangeana can tolerate dim light, which may retard its development. The indoor tree-like plant thrives with the help of light. In shaded or dimly lit areas, sugar cane plants may also thrive. An east-facing window is the optimum location for a mass cane pot.
You should shelter a big cane plant from harsh, direct sunlight. The gorgeous bright yellow-green leaves can become faded due to the sun’s light and heat. Moisture will also evaporate from the soil due to the sun’s rays beating on it, and the soil will dry out too quickly.
You may put mass cane houseplants in practically any room of the home since they are tolerant of low lighting. Their leaves may lose their brightness and their development will be slower in low light. Cane plants, on the other hand, are excellent bedroom plants because of their Love of humidity. They are perfect for growing in bathrooms.
Best Soil for Dracaena Massangeana
In loose potting soil with excellent drainage, sugar cane plants thrive. As long as water flows freely, a general potting soil for houseplants is suitable for the corn plant. Add some peat moss to the potting soil since cane plants don’t like being in water. This helps increase drainage by adding organic matter.
Make sure there are numerous drainage holes in the bottom of your growing mass canes when grown in pots. To avoid root rot, excess water must drain quickly. If the earth is too packed, add some perlite to help water work its way out of the ground. Alternatively, you may want to ensure that the little indoor tree isn’t rooted in the pot.
How to Water Mass Cane Plants
Water a group cane plant whenever the top layer of soil is dried out rather than on a prescribed schedule. The amount of light it receives determines how often it is watered. You’ll have to water it every week in bright light. Water is less frequent in shaded or low-light situations.
When it comes to watering, follow the following general guideline: moisture levels in the soil. Insert your finger 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 2 inches (5 cm) in the earth before watering. It’s time to water the cane plant if the medium is dry. Wait until the moisture has dried more before using it.
The health of your Dracaena massangeana depends on the watering schedule that you follow. Leaves will start to yellow and the tips will become brown if you hydrate it too much. Your mass cane may experience similar symptoms if there isn’t enough water. Therefore, simply water the potting mix only when it is partially dry and follow the soil as your guide.
Using distilled, filtered, or rain water is another watering tip for caring for your mass cane plant. Chemicals in tap water may accumulate in the soil. But, let the chlorine and other chemicals in the tap water evaporate after it has sat out for 24 hours. Brown tips, weak development, and eventual mortality may result from these compounds.
Temperature Requirements for Mass Cane Indoor Care
Dracaena plants like to grow between 60°F and 75°F (15°C and 24°C). As a result, healthy mass cane plant growth is optimal at room temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Corn plants can withstand a 50°F (10°C) drop during the night. It’s important to keep the temperature fluctuations in check when growing mass canes.
In the summer, move mass cane plants out of direct sunlight to prevent them from becoming overheated. Also, make sure there aren’t chilly breezes blowing on the Dracaena pot from open windows or air-conditioning. Keep houseplants away from hot radiators during the winter.
When a large cane plant is overheated, it’s important to recognize the symptoms. If the plant pot needs to be moved, curling leaves or drooping growth indicate it. As long as the temperature is above 60°F (15°C), you may grow mass cane plants outside. Pick a location in your yard, patio, or deck where you’ll get dappled light. It’s time to bring your cane tree indoors when the nighttime temperatures fall below 50°F (10°C).
Mass Cane Plant Humidity Requirements
Between 40 and 50% humidity is required for Dracena plants. Regular misting helps to maintain humidity in mass cane plants. You can also grow corn plants near to other house plants to create a humid environment by wiping leaves with a damp cloth.
Tropical environments with high humidity are ideal for growing sugar cane plants. They prefer humid conditions, but they may flourish in typical household humidity if they are cultivated correctly. You can spray a fine mist of water on the plant’s leaves if you notice that they are drooping, to revive them.
Mass Cane (Dracaena Massangeana) Flowers
When grown as a houseplant, Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ seldom blooms. They have clusters of pinkish-white blooms that bloom loosely on arching stems in their natural environment. The delicate white spiky blossoms of the strongly-scented flowers open in the evening.
Late fall and late spring are two seasons when mass canes may bloom. Unfortunately, Dracaena plants seldom bloom indoors, if ever. According to some houseplant owners, a mass cane plant may only produce blooms after many years of indoor growth and in the correct environment. The bright, lustrous yellow and green leaves cover up any flowers that may be missing.
Mass Cane Growth Rate
Mass cane plants are soggy growers that grow indoors. They may reach a height of 6 feet (1.8 meters) after many years. They are, however, suitable for indoors cultivation due to their sluggish development. Without becoming too big for its space, the bushy indoor shrubs will fill a corner of your room.
Fertilizer Needs for Healthy Mass Cane Plant Growth
During the growing season, fertilize all mass cane plants once a month, and don’t feed them during the winter or fall. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on a general balanced household fertilizer and dilute it to half. Dracaena massangeana’s slow development means that they only need modest feeding.
Dracaena plants can get mineral burn since they aren’t heavy feeders. Excess fertilizer salts collect in the soil, causing this. The plants can develop symptoms of root burn even if you apply fertilizers on a regular basis. Flushing the soil from time to time is a good way to promote healthy growth.
Run water through the soil for two to three minutes to remove excess mineral salts from houseplant soil. Before returning the plant to its preferred spot, allow all the extra water to drain. It may not be necessary to apply fertilizer if you grow mass cane plants in organically rich soil.
It’s also vital to recall that overfertilization might be the reason behind the death of groups of cane plants. In the spring and late summer, apply a diluted fertilizer at half-strength if you’re not sure whether or not you’ll be fertilized.
How to Propagate Mass Cane Plants
Dracaena plant propagation may be accomplished easily by stem cuttings throughout the spring and summer, when development is at its peak. The stem cutting approach is simple for propagating a mass cane plant. To grow a new tree, simply put the stem into an appropriate potting soil mixture.
Cut a healthy stem with multiple little buds that is at least 3″ (7.5 cm) long to grow a mass cane plant. Just beneath the horizontal line, make a cut. In a new pot, put the cutting 1″ (2.5 cm) into the soil. Let it dry thoroughly in a well-lit area.
Pruning Mass Cane Plant Leaves
Pruning is not required for most mass cane plants. Pruning does not speed up the growth of the leafy tropical plant, which has natural bushy growth. To eliminate dead, yellowing leaves or to regulate its height, you’ll need to prune Dracaena plants only once. If your mass cane plant becomes excessively tall, cut the stems to the necessary lengths. Towards the end of the stem, new buds will sprout and form a new bushy crown of lustrous green leaves.
Repotting a Mass Cane Plant
Every two to three years, Dracaena cane plants should be repotted. Planting a plant in new potting soil encourages development and good health when it is transferred into a bigger container. You can check for dead or sick roots while repotting and remove them. Additionally, more root room can be found in a bigger pot.
Remove the plant and root ball from its pot to repot your indoor cane tree. Run water over the roots to rinse them after shaking off all dirt from around them. If necessary, gently untangle roots. Remove any brown, rotting roots. Fill a new pot with the appropriate potting soil and half-fill it with sterile water. Fill the remaining space with soil and put your mass cane plant in the pot. Water thoroughly before you start.
Pests Affecting Indoor Mass Cane Plants
Spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects, and thrips are some of the common pests that affect mass cane plants. You’ll notice indications of infection beneath leaves and on stems if these bothersome insects attack your plant. The use of a neem oil solution is the best way to get rid of mass cane pests. On Dracaena, how can you detect signs of common houseplant pests? Indoor mass cane plants are vulnerable to the following pests:
- Spider mites—It’s difficult to see these tiny mites. Webbing beneath the leaves and between the branches of mass cane plants may indicate spidermite activity. Spray a soap solution on the leaves and clean with a damp cloth to get rid of spider mites.
- Mealybugs—These nasty bugs leave a cottony-woollike substance on cane plant leaves and stems. They are a kind of scale insect. Find out how to get rid of mealybugs on houseplants in this article.
- Scale—Because they resemble brown growths on stems, sap-sucking insects are difficult to see. They weaken the mass cane plant by feeding on its sap. Learn how to eliminate scale insects by using rubbing alcohol.
- Thrips—These microscopic pests may transmit viruses to other houseplants and harm mass cane plant development. To get rid of thrips and other pests for good, learn how to make a natural neem oil cure.
Diseases Affecting Indoor Mass Cane Plants
Dracaena corn plants can be afflicted by fungal diseases. Leaf spots and weakened development caused by root rot are common symptoms of fungal infection. Over-watering or allowing the roots to sit in water are the primary causes of fungal-related cane plant diseases.
Fungal diseases are prevented by allowing the soil to dry somewhat. It is vital to refrain from watering until the soil has mostly dried out if you discover indications of fungal diseases. Repotting the cane plant and removing any diseased roots may help if the soil is especially soggy. To avoid spreading the fungal disease, prune and destroy any cane leaves that contain leaf-spots.
Are Mass Cane Plants Toxic?
Cats and dogs should not be allowed near mass cane plants (Dracaena massangeana). Pet poisoning symptoms in dogs and Dracaena plants include vomiting, copious drooling, and anorexia, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
FAQs About Mass Cane Plant Care
Why does mass cane plant leaves have brown tips?
The most prevalent cause of brown tips on mass cane plant leaves is over-watering. Fertilizer overdosing or mineral salt accumulation may also cause tips to turn brown. Brown tips, on the other hand, might signal a lack of moisture or dry soil.
Inspect the soil moisture for signs of over- or under-watering to determine the source of brown leaf tips. Only water as often as the top layer of soil dries out, and adjust your watering schedule as necessary.
Why are leaves on my mass cane plant turning yellow?
Dracaena leaves turning yellow are also due to watering concerns. Roots that linger in wet soil for too long start to breakdown and block nutrients from reaching the leaves. As a consequence, the weight of the cane leaves becomes droopy and yellow.
How to save a mass cane plant that’s dying?
Dracaena massangeana plants die as a result of being waterlogged. To eliminate the soggy soil and remove dead leaves and stems, repot your mass cane plant if necessary. Next, check for indications of pest infestation and treat the problem as soon as possible.
Water thoroughly and mist the leaves to revive a dying plant if the soil is arid, leaves are drooping, and spider mites are attacking your plant. Spider mites thrive in dry soil conditions and a lack of humidity. If a lack of moisture caused growth to halt, plenty of hydration may be able to bring your plant back to life.