Question
Hi there,
I just purchased a "Mass Cane" plant from the local store. The people there had no clue on plant care. I've never owned a plant before so I was hoping you could offer me some advice. The plant is about 3 feet tall and it has nice green leaves with faint yellow stripes down the leaves. I assume it's healthy.
I was wondering if you could tell me how to care for this plant.
Lighting - can I keep it next to a window that doesn't get sunlight but is still bright?
Water - how often? I assume that I must always keep the soil a little damp. Approximately how often do I water the plant though?
Food - It came in a bucket of soil. I just put the entire bucket into a cool looking tub. Do I need to fertilize it? If so, how often? Re-pot it?

Thanks for the help. I'd like to keep this plant healthy!

Answer
Hi Brett,

Your Dracaena massangeana cane, more commonly called Corn Plant, should do fine close to a bright window where the direct sun does not fall onto its leaves.

You will never need to repot it or at least not for a very long time. Apparently you have it in a double pot which is fine as long as you check to make sure that excess water does not collect in the bottom of the outer pot.

Allow the top quarter of the soil to dry out in between thorough waterings. Use your finger to probe down deep into the soil to determine dryness. When the top of the soil is dry, the lower portion of the soil will still be quite moist. It will probably dry out about every week to 10 days, but that will vary with light, temperature, humidity, soil composition and pot size.

Fertilizer is vastly over-rated and unnecessary for a Corn Plant. If your local tap water is on the hard side, then use filtered or distilled water.

So don't kill your new plant with kindness by doing too much. Leave it where it is. Don't repot or fertilize and be careful not to water too often. Provide benign neglect and your corn plant should thrive for you.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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