Dracaena Canes, Fragrans Cane, Massangeana Cane, Mass Cane, Corn Plant
Fragrans Cane, Massangeana Cane, Mass Cane, Corn Plant
Dracaena fragrans',
D. fragrans 'Massangeana Cane'
Light Level: Low to Medium
Water Level: Low
The true D. fragrans (or Fragrans Cane) has broad leaves with single variegated yellow stripes on each leaf. ‘Lindenii’ has a mostly yellowish leaf with variegated green striping near the midrib.
D. fragrans is sold as a bushy floor plant or, more commonly, as multiple sprouted canes, each being a different height. The name fragrans refers to the very sweet-smelling flowers which occur occasionally.
D. fragrans cv. ‘Massangeana’, or corn plan is olive green and not variegated.
When Fragrans Cane or Mass Cane are too hot, they will twist their leaves sideways to reduce leaf exposure to the sun. When these plant are too cold, they plant will develop light gray or brown leaf margins. Old plants sometimes develop long, stretched, thin leaves with very little variegation.
Country of Origin
Africa and New Guinea
Maintenance Tips
These plants do well when kept on the dry side. You will find they are often in Hawaiian lava rock potting media, which helps prevent root rot. Do not allow these plants to sit in water.
Dracaena canes prefer low to medium light.
Pests and Problems
Scale, mealybugs, and thrips are most common.
Root diseases are generally caused by overwatering or sitting in water. Leaf spots (which sometimes occurs with wilting) on newer leaves can be caused by fungi living in the soil. Aerate the soil and allow the plant to dry down. Clean any tool used on diseased plants to prevent the spread of the fungus.
Stem rot, which is also caused by overwatering, may cause a bad odor.
Tip burn develops when the plant is too dry, humidity is too low. It can also be caused by an accumulation of boron or fluoride, or high soluble salts.
When exposed to too much light, the leaves may become bleached. Move the plant away from the light source.
Fusarium moniliforme is a leaf spot disease caused by this pathogen often found in Dracaenas. Leaf spots are round, raised, rust colored lesions with yellow halos. Off-white spores appear at the growing point where the apex may rot. Other symptoms include root rot, chlorosis, and wilting.
Phyllosticta maculicola is a pathogen that causes a leaf spot disease. In Dracaena it is characterized by brown leaf spots with yellow halos. With P. dracaenae, the spots are irregular, brown with purple borders and yellow halos, and appear on the lower surface of older foliage.
For more care information visit our comprehensive Indoor Gardening Guide.