Mass cane plant, also known as corn plant due to its resemblance with young corn foliage, is a common and low-maintenance plant that is native to tropical regions of Africa but is loved in many homes in the US and the UK. Whether you are a new gardener or a seasoned one, the mass cane plant is popular amongst all due to its stalky stems and long green leaves with yellow or green stripes, making it a perfect houseplant. If you want to gather information regarding mass cane plant care, we have compiled a list of care tips. You can have a look.
Proper Light
Mass cane requires lots of sunlight, from medium to indirect, so make sure to place it in a shaded area where it gets indirect sunlight because direct sunlight will scorch the leaves and dry out the soil, causing dehydration. The leaves, in such a case, start showing symptoms by curling in leaves to protect themselves from scorching heat, and that's the final request by the plant to shift their place. In fact, the best place to keep it is near the eastern-facing window.
It can survive in indoor lighting conditions, too, but thrives in moderate sunlight, producing healthy leaves. Under low light, the plant grows at a slow pace, and the chances of leaves turning yellow or brown are high. If there's no shaded place in your yard and you are forced to leave it in direct sunlight, control the amount of light with a curtain and fertilize the plant regularly to avoid symptoms of chlorosis.
Sufficient Watering
Mass cane plants don't require much watering since they belong to the dracaena variety, making them a perfect choice for beginners. If the plant is kept under moderate light, water it only when the top two inches of soil get dry. Please keep checking the soil regularly to assess the water requirement because many times, when a plant is exposed to direct sunlight, it needs more frequent watering than the usual schedule.
Water the plant weekly or bi-weekly if it's kept in moderate light, water them frequently if placed in strong light, and very little watering is needed when kept in a low light area.
Symptoms of underwatering and over-watering: Leaves turning brown and yellow are common signals that the plant is getting less or more water than it requires. The color around the edges starts discoloring, eventually spreading to the middle of the leaves.
Proper Humidity Level
This plant requires high humidity as it is a tropical plant. There are several ways to maintain high humidity, such as keeping a pebble tray underneath the plant, planting groups of plants together, or using a humidifier.
Temperature Level
It needs a high temperature between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If adequate temperature is not maintained, the edges of the leaves will turn light gray or brown. Don't keep it near open windows because strong wind and cold may damage the plant. During the summers, keep it away from direct sunlight. Otherwise, the leaves will start showing symptoms by curling, which is a sign that leaves are trying to protect themselves from sunlight.
Adequate Fertilizer
Mass cane requires fertilizing once a year to keep the plant thriving. It needs fertilizer with NPK 5-10-5. Please note that mass cane is sensitive to boron and fluoride levels. Make sure you dilute fertilizer to the required strength because any flaw in applying fertilizer can harm the plant, leading to fertilizing burns. If the leaves turn yellow or brown, it is a sign of fluoride toxicity. Stop fertilizing your plant immediately upon seeing such signs, and water the plant with rain water or bottled water.
Soil
Mass cane grows in any soil type with proper drainage because it's a trooper. For this reason, it's a fantastic choice for beginners. Try using multi-purpose potting soil that contains peat moss to improve the drainage. Also, ensure there's a draining hole in the pot to avoid water accumulation that leads to root rot.
Clean Leaves
Keep the leaves clean to ensure they absorb sunlight properly for the process of photosynthesis. All you have to do is spray water on the leaves at room temperature and gently wipe the dust from the top and beneath the leaves.
Pruning
Pruning is a simple process to maintain the plant. All you should do is trim the discolored and sick-looking leaves at the node using garden shears and trim the new sprouts to maintain the shape of the plant. If the plant gets taller, cut the top part horizontally across the stem.
Propagate the Mass Cane
This is another way to have a new plant. If you are cutting the mass cane and planting, make sure you do it in spring and summer because the parent plant grows during spring and summer, and the cut-off part of the plant will also grow.
Tips:
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Select a healthy stem with buds that can grow into shoots.
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Cut at least three inches of the stem using a sharp knife.
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Take a pot, plant the cut stem in the potting soil, and water it immediately. Make sure the bud is above the soil.
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If you want, dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone powder to improve the chances of budding.
Some of the Problems Associated With Mass Cane Plant and the Solution
Mealy bug pest - It is one of the common pests that can be wiped from the leaves for healthy growth
Brown spots - The brown spots on newly grown leaves are a common issue for many reasons: overgrown roots of the older plant that should be cut, and salt from the water accumulates in the soil, so you have to add more soil.
Overgrown stalks - Stalks overgrow in the older plants, which should be cut back.
Tilted canes - It happens when the plant tries to escape the light or uneven watering. Simply push the plant to its position and fill more soil for stability.
Brown/yellow leaves - Over or underwatering can lead to brown or yellow leaves. Simply cut off the brown part of the leaves and the yellow leaves.
Root rot - happens due to overwatering and a lack of drainage holes in the pot.
Conclusion
Mass cane plant care is all about taking care of the essential requirements of the plant, such as light, humidity, soil, water, and temperature, which have been discussed in detail in the article. The content will help you keep your plant healthy.
