Lisa Cane

Description

This versatile plant is great for low-light and tight areas, and it’s pretty easy to keep looking good. Here’s what you need to know about the Lisa Cane:

Watering

The Lisa Cane is propagated in Hawaii, so it’s grown in lava rock giving it some very forgiving watering requirements. Preferring only a slightly moist rootzone, it won’t drink a lot of water, and with the right set up and spot, it can go a full month (and sometimes several months) between waterings. See our watering guide for more information.

Light

This plant is a Dracaena, and has one of the lowest light requirements of all the plants we offer. It’s great near a window with filtered light or a corner with only artificial light. Do not, however, expose this plant to direct sunlight or it will burn the leaves very quickly.

Nutrition

The Lisa Cane will not need to be fed during the first 12 months after it has shipped. During this time, it will use the residual nutrients from nursery production. After 12 months, it can be fed quarterly with a complete fertilizer formulated for interior plants. Please refer to our nutrient guide for details.

Cleaning

This is an easy plant to keep clean, and a good thing because its deep green leaves can get dusty over time. Simply wiping the leaves with a wet cloth usually does the trick. For spots where something else (besides dust) has landed on your plant, use a mild soapy solution to wet the cloth; then wipe. This will restore the luster to your plant.

Pruning

Don’t. Unless your plant is not meeting the dimensions of its intended space, you will not need to prune this plant. Older leaves, though, may yellow, and they can be pruned or snapped off. Brown tips can be trimmed off to the contour of the leaf. See our pruning guide for details.

Bugs

The Lisa is not a big target for pests. Mealybugs will be the main pest, and sometimes scale will affect the plant. Both easily controlled by wiping the infested area with a soapy solution. It can take several intermittent cleanings to rid the plant of the pests, but persistence will pay off.

Trouble

Minor leaf spots and old age will be your biggest worry with the Lisa Cane.

• Leaf spots – Spots on the leaves may be a natural imperfection from production. If your new Lisa has a few spots, don’t sweat it – it’s Mother Nature’s way of letting you know it’s a real, live plant. Over time, leaf spots, especially on the margins, can develop from a build-up of fluoride in the leaves from water sources treated with fluoride – like almost everywhere that water comes from a treatment plant. If you can water with rain water from your garden, have at it; otherwise, be on the lookout for discolored margins over a very long period of time.  When older leaves become unsightly, just remove them.
• Yellow and brown leaves – Old leaves may turn yellow and begin to brown. These should be removed.