Mass Cane (Dracaena Fragrans) Plant Care

The Mass Cane (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”, also known as the Mass Cane floor plant) is an air-purifying tropical houseplant. They're grown for their gorgeous long leaves that emerge in a dense cluster and droop gently to the floor. Mass cane plant care is so easy that it is a great beginner plant.

The Mass Cane is a vareity of the species Dracaena fragrans. The original Dracaena have deep green leaves but the “Massangeana” variety has yellow bands through the center.  

If you’re patient, the slow-growing mass cane will develop a thick woody stem in maturity that adds attractive height to the plant. When grown indoors, they can reach up to 10 meters tall.

Dracaena fragrans originates from Ethiopia, Guina and Nigeria and belongs to the Agavaceae family of plants. You won't find the yellow-striped Massangeana variety in the wild however. This cultivated variant was created for the horticultural market.

Teona Swift https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-plant-with-long-leaves-6913640/

The broad, strappy leaves of the Mass Cane collect house dust very easily. Clogged leaves prevent oxygen and carbon dixodie from moving in and out so it’s important to wipe them down often with a wet sponge. A good way to keep leaves dust-free is to use Southside Plant’s very own unscented houseplant wipes.

Temperature, position, and lighting

Your Mass Cane will need temperatures between 60 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive a temperature minimum of 50 degree Fahrenheit but only for very short periods. Only plant it outdoors if you live in USDA climate zones 10B to 11.

 David Stang https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dracaena_fragrans_Massangeana_1zz.jpg

The Mass Cane variety needs brighter position than the Dracaena fragrans because the yellow center in the leaves cannot photosynthesize. That being said, this plant doesn’t need huge amounts of light. Too much direct sunlight will scorch the leaves, leading to brown patches. Give your Mass Cane a west or east facing window that receives bright filtered light.

Watering

The soil should be slightly moist at all times but your Dracaena will hate being over-watered. Only water when the top two inches of soil feels dry. You can check soil moisture levels by poking your finger in. Make sure the soil never gets soggy or waterlogged. A well-draining potting mix will help achieve the right balance. 

Water by running the soil under a tap until the water is running through the drainage holes. Make sure you get the leaves wet too as these plants thrive on humidity.

How often you water will depend on the temperature and sunlight your plant is getting. Always cut back watering during wintertime. This is when your plant stops actively growing. Lower temperatures and light will mean much less moisture is evaporating from the soil and leaves.

Humidity

Your Mass Cane needs some humidity to grow at its best. Between 40 and 50 percent is fine. Spraying the leaves with a bottle spray of water every couple of days should keep it happy. A more permanent way to increase humidity levels around your plant is to place its pot on a tray of pebbles with water halfway up the depth of the pebbles. Make sure the bottom of the pot doesn't touch the water as this will make the soil too soggy. The idea behind the pebble tray is that the pebbles give a larger surface area for water to evaporate off of. Placing plants in close proximity is another easy way to increase humidity in their immediate surroundings.

Potting mix

The potting mix for your Mass Cane should be well-draining, rich in nutritious organic matter, and slightly acidic. To achieve this balance, blend 1 parts regular houseplant potting soil, 1 part coarse horticultural sand, and 1 part sphagnum moss. The sand keeps the soil porous so that water will run right through instead of accumulating and risking root rot.

The sphagnum moss will add a slight acidic touch to your potting mix, which your Dracaena will love. Ideally, it requires soil that is 6 to 6.5 pH. You can check the pH of your soil using a purpose-built soil tester device. These are relatively cheap, with the Kensizer 3-in-1 going for less than twenty dollars on Amazon.

Louise Wolff https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colpfl26a.jpg

The Mass Cane is a slow grower so it doesn’t need tons of fertilizer. To keep the leaves brightly colored though, you will need to feed your plant during the growing season between spring and summer.

Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength of the manufacturer’s instructions every two weeks between spring and fall. A balanced fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in equal proportions.

Don’t fertilize your new Mass Cane for a month after bringing it home. This is to let it adjust to the shock of new surroundings.  

For your plant to absorb maximum nutrients, you should provide it with an acidic potting mix. You can achieve this by mixing spaghnum moss into the soil.

Repotting

The slow-growing mass cane won’t need repotting every season. Every two or three years will do. Choose a new pot that is 2-3 inches wider in diameter than the old one.

Propagation

You can propagate mass cane from stem cuttings. Cut 3 inch sections of healthy stem in late spring or early summer using a clean, sharp blade. Stick them in a tray of perlite or peat moss slightly moistened. Place in a bright position and keep the perlite or peat moss slightly damp at all times.