Photo from Plantz

Originally Posted On: https://www.plantz.us/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-dracaena-elegance-cane-dracaena-deremensis/

 

 

All plant lovers are not necessarily equipped with a green thumb, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t interior plants out there that will tolerate forgetful waterers and plant parents with a lack of understanding as to just how bright “bright light” should be. If you’re new to the houseplant life or have been unsuccessful in creating a thriving environment for plants in the past, the Dracaena Elegance Cane may be the right plant for you to try re-establishing your relationship with the greener things in life.

Getting to Know the Dracaena deremensis

• Taxonomic Hierarchy:

1. Kingdom:  Plantae
2. Phylum: Spermatophyta
3. Class: Monocotyledonae
4. Order: Liliales
5. Family: Asparagaceae
6. Genus: Dracaena
7. Species: Dracaena deremensis

• Growing Conditions: Native to tropical regions of Africa, the Dracaena Elegance Cane is a foliage plant that prefers its roots on the drier side and can thrive in low to moderate light conditions, adapting to the environment you provide for it. A little humidity is always welcome.
• Temperature Range: Maintaining a consistent 65°F – 75°F (18°C – 24°C) range is ideal for these plants. As they are tropical plants, they should be protected from colder weather.
• Sunlight: This plant loves a nice bit of sunlight, but, as it is a shade-grown foliage plant, too much direct sunlight will burn its beautiful green leaves.  While a warm location in a corner with moderate sunlight is optimal, the Elegance Cane is a great option for those lowlight spaces that need some added pizzazz.
• Water: Dracaena Elegance Canes prefer their roots on the drier side.  It’s important to let the soil dry out before you water it again.  One way to test the moisture levels in your new Dracaena is with PLANTZ’ Soil Sleuth.  This probe will take the guesswork out of trying to figure out whether or not your plant needs a drink.  If you have a tendency to forget about your plant’s thirst levels, order a new Dracaena Elegance Cane from PLANTZ with their PlantAssure Kit.  These systems create a reservoir of water for the plant to access without any fear of damaging your new Elegance Cane by overwatering it. Please refer to our Watering Guide for detailed information on proper watering techniques. One note about these particular plants, they are prone to fluoride build-up, which may cause spots on the leaves.  If at all possible, utilize rainwater whenever possible to reduce this fluoride build-up.
• Winter Care: For those plant parents whose homes experience brisk winters, there are a few simple steps to take to ensure your plant survives the cold months.  First, as this is a tropical plant, if it lives outside in the summer (which is not recommended for this plant), bring it inside for the winter.  Next, make sure the location of your plant is free from any window or door drafts.  Keep an eye out for brown leaf tips.  If these occur during winter, the space may have a draft you were unaware of.  If you notice these brown leaf tips in summer, check to see if your air conditioner is blowing directly on your Elegance Cane.) As the seasons change, so does the amount of available sunlight.  While this particular plant may thrive in low light, a little more indirect sun will ensure a happy plant through the winter. Wiping down leaves will also help ensure the plant is able to absorb as much light as possible.
• Nutrition: It is important to remember that plants need nutrition.  While their soil initially contains the nutrients they need, the plants eventually consume those available nutrients, which then need to be replenished in order for the plant to thrive.  However, much like people, it is important to moderate how much food is provided.  Too much or too little food are both bad for the plant.  Purchasing a Dracaena Elegance Cane from com will ensure your plant arrives well-nourished.  Once you receive your plant, it will not need to be fertilized for six months.  However, after those six months, a quarterly feeding with a complete fertilizer created for indoor plants is the best option.  Ideally, this would be a high-quality fertilizer like Dyna-Gro Plant Nutrition.

Dracaena Elegance Cane Frequently Asked Questions

Are Elegance Canes good indoor plants?

The simple answer is a resounding YES! First, these plants, while they thrive in moderate light, they are incredibly tolerant of low light conditions. Second, they prefer drier roots, so the watering interval can be extended (i.e. – you don’t have to water it very often.   Third, they thrive as a container plant.  With a little light, a little water, and a little nutrition, the Dracaena Elegance Cane is simply one of the easiest indoor plants to care for.  New and/or forgetful plant owners will enjoy watching this plant thrive.

Are Elegance Canes hard to take care of?

No, they are not hard to care for.  As a matter of fact, they are some of the easiest plants to care for. The primary concern for these plants is temperature.  They need to stay in a space that is consistently 65°F – 75°F (18°C – 24°C) and free of drafts.  If provided moderate indirect sunlight, these plants are almost easy to forget.  Water them occasionally after the soil dries out, feed them quarterly, and watch it thrive in your home or office.

How much light does an Elegance Cane need?

As noted above, for optimal care, this plant prefers moderate indirect light. However, it adapts efficiently to lowlight conditions.  These are the perfect plants for rooms with little sunlight that crave some lush greenery to complete the decor.

Why are Elegance Canes hard to keep alive?

They aren’t hard to keep alive at all!  These plants are perfect for new plant parents who are not sure if they have green thumbs yet.  They are the ideal gateway plant for inexperienced plant owners who want a lush addition to their space while learning the ropes of plant care and ownership.

Learn more about the Dracaena genus with this video on the Elegance’s sister, the Janet Craig.

Interior Design

What design style does an Elegance Cane look good in?

Elegance Canes work well in just about any interior design scheme.  Their slender canes and long, lush green leaves make it the perfect plant for just about any planter, and planters are an impactful design consideration. For a modern feel, check out the Gray Rock Clay Square from PLANTZ.  Giving off concrete vibes, this planter, capitalizing on the flourishing concrete trend, will be a welcome addition to any modern room (unless there is direct sunlight, of course).  For a room with a more rustic feel, PLANTZ’s Natural Seagrass Basket is the perfect fit.  For those with more than one plant, the Floor Rectangle Salvaged Wood option would allow your Draecana demerensis the opportunity to really show why they call it the Elegance Cane.  Practitioners of Feng Shui also enjoy using these plants in their interior design schemes as they are thought to bring positive energy into the room.

Are Elegance Canes good for a home or office?

Elegance Canes are the perfect interior plant for both homes and offices. Biophilic design is all the rage, and homes and offices are seeing an increase in the number of plants used for indoor spaces.  The use of plants in workspaces has seen large growth partly due to the efforts of employers to lure workers back to the office by providing serene spaces that mimic the peacefulness of working at home.  Plant use in workspaces has long been known to enhance the health of office workers.  The benefits provided by plants include air purification and an increased sense of well-being.  An added bonus to plants in the office is the ability for plants to be incorporated into the actual design of the office layout.  From plant walls to the replacement of cubicles with plant dividers, plants are a great fit for any office, and the Dracaena Elegance Cane is no exception.  Paired with the above-mentioned salvaged wood rectangular container, these plants would make excellent room dividers in most office layouts.  Another bonus of using the Elegance Cane in the office is that it can withstand low light conditions and forgo watering until its soil is dry.  There is no need to worry about plant care over long holiday weekends or if you want to go on vacation.

Is the Elegance Cane a tree or a bush?

There are many plants in the Dracaena genus that can identify as trees or shrubs. The Elegance Cane grows on thin, tall canes that may extend upwards of six feet in height giving them the appearance of a thin tree.

What is the best pot for an Elegance Cane?

The perfect pot for the Elegance Cane will provide proper drainage, and that is how the grow pot that it comes in is configured.  It is important that the soil dries out before watering, so a pot that allows for water drainage is crucial to the survival of your plant.  The pot should not be too big in diameter as the canes of the Dracaena deremensis are very slender, albeit quite sturdy.  Repotting this plant is not recommended because the process can damage the root system and separate the individual canes.  In its grow pot, leave it alone and watch it thrive. One way to ensure you are using the right pot is to utilize a nursery grow pot as they have the perfect drainage holes, then put the grow pot inside a decorative planter that is coordinated with your chosen décor.  Check out Plantz.com’s Shop to check out the wide variety of planter options for your growing Elegance Cane.  From natural baskets and reclaimed wood to clay pots and Eco-Fiberglass planters, PLANTZ has the right option for any space.

How to Take Proper Care of the Dracaena Elegance Cane

• Repotting: The Elegance Cane likes to be left alone.  There is no need to re-pot it.
• Lighting Guide: Unlike potentially fickle plants like the fiddle leaf fig which require a lot of sunlight, the Elegance Cane will shine in both moderate and low light conditions.  Their optimal location is a pace that receives moderate indirect sunlight.  That is where they will thrive and receive the best opportunity for growth.  However, as addressed throughout this article, these plants will also excel in low-light conditions, making it a perfect way to brighten up office spaces with limited sunlight.  As plants require sunlight for photosynthesis, many plants will not do well in lowlight conditions.  However, the Elegance Cane is an exception to that rule.  Their long green leaves capture available sunlight and their internal plant systems maximize the use of the captured energy through an efficient photosynthetic process, allowing the plant to process water and carbon dioxide with less than a standard light.  Along those lines, it’s important to wipe excess dust from the leave surfaces to allow the leave to work most efficiently.
• Other Helpful Tips and Suggestions: com has a wealth of knowledge on the Elegance Cane.  From tips on effective ways to clean the leaves (simply by using a wet cloth) to reassuring new plant parents that it is just fine to leave these plants alone and let them grow and how to deal with mealy bugs, Plantz.com is a great guide for both beginner plant owners and well-versed indoor plant gurus.  They will even ship your new Elegance Cane directly to you!

Little Known Facts about the Dracaena demerensis

Does it flower or bear fruit?

Dacaena’s are angiosperms, meaning they bloom and produce fruit for reproduction.  However, this usually occurs when the plant is in its native environment, and it has plenty of natural light to fuel the reproductive cycle.  On rare occasions, usually in higher light environments, it will bloom indoors.  Since the plant is grown for the characteristics of its leaves and stems, blooming is discouraged since the plant will burn lots of energy by blooming and “steal” nutrients from the foliage.  If a bloom emerges, it should simply be cut off.  Again, this is a rare occurrence and most Elegance Cane owners will never have to deal with it.

Is this an indoor plant or an outdoor plant?

Well, let’s be real here.  All plants are “outdoor” plants.  However, some, like the Elegance Cane have been cultured for indoor use, and it can be the perfect roommate.  They require little upkeep and like to be left alone.  It is relatively easy to get an Elegance cane to thrive indoors.  With moderate light, occasional feedings, and some water, this plant will be a welcome addition to any room.  The real advantage of the indoor version of this plant is that you can adapt its surroundings to optimal growth conditions during any season of the year, in any location around the world.

Is there a Spiritual or Supernatural Meaning for the Dracaena Genus?

While there is no spiritual or supernatural meaning to the Elegance Cane, the Dracaena genus itself is derived from a supernatural term. Dracaena, the Latin term for dragon, is derived from the ancient Greek drakaina meaning female dragon.  Certain members of the Dracaena genus, like the dragon’s blood plant, have a red sap that oozes from the tree.  When the dragon’s blood trees flower and are fertilized, they grow berries that are prized for their health benefits in livestock.  Dragon’s blood resin is also sought after for the creation of incense and paint and is believed to be the secret ingredient for the specific coloring of the Stradivarius violin.

What are the benefits of the Dracaena Elegance Cane?

The Dracaena Elegance Cane is the perfect starter plant for new plant parents.  As their upkeep is minimal, they provide an easy lesson in the care and maintenance of living plants for people new to the indoor plant world. Beyond being the perfect starter plant, they are the right choice for any lowlight office setting.  Not all offices are equipped with floor to ceiling glass walls.  Those offices or spaces that aren’t reserved for CEOs need greening up too so all workers may benefit from the increased well-being and cleaner air obtained through the incorporation of living plants. What worker wouldn’t benefit from workplace stress reduction?  What new parent wouldn’t benefit from cleaner air and lower blood pressure during those colicky nights or challenging teenage years?  When the general aesthetic pleasure of the Elegance Cane is combined with general plant traits that are attributed to healthier human well-being, it is easily understood why there has been a boost in the sale of indoor plants.

Where Can I Buy an Elegance Cane?

Due to their ability to maintain in low light conditions, the Elegance Cane is a great option for many homes and office buildings; however, from one plant lover to another, if you want a well-treated, fresh, and healthy plant to grace your home or office, locating a vendor that treats these verdant gems with love and respect is important.  While local nurseries will usually fit the bill, businesses like Plantz.com will exceed your expectations, offering plants of varying sizes in a wide array of containers to fit your décor needs.  Plantz.com is not just your everyday run-of-the-mill online plant vendor.  Starting as a small plant business in the 1970s, Plantz.com has grown into one that people know they can rely on for the delivery of high-quality indoor plants to any state in the USA.  If you find yourself smitten with your Elegance Cane, you may be interested in its almost identical sister, the Lisa Cane.  These beauties are almost genetically identical to the Elegance Cane.  The exception is the Elegance Cane requires soil, while the Hawaiian Lisa Cane grows in lava rock.