Dieffenbachia Plant
Dieffenbachia compacta
Dumb Cane Plant
Dieffenbachia or Dumb Cane plants, native to the tropics of Mexico and all the way south to Argentina, are relatively easy-care houseplants with large, broad, patterned, oblong leaves. They can be small table plants or 5ft-6ft. trees depending on the variety you select. Dieffenbachias are fast-growing houseplants that tend to get top heavy if not properly pruned. All parts of a dieffenbachia are extremely poisonous which is how they earned the nickname “dumb cane plant”and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants
Light
Dieffenbachia plants require medium to high lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light.. Direct sun burns the leaves and too much bright lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light. causes the vibrant leaf color to fade. When an indoor dieffenbachia does not get enough light, the new leaves are small and far apart on the stem.
Water
Water well and then allow the top 2"-3" of soil to dry out before watering again. Dieffenbachia plants do best when watered on a regular schedule. If the soil gets too dry, bottom leaves may turn yellow. If the plant is over watered, stems rot and get mushy and bottom leaves die.
Fertilizer
Fertilize only when the plant is actively producing new leaves. Most dieffenbachia should be fed every two weeks in the summer and once a month in the spring and fall. Never feed in the winter. Excess plant food causes browning around the edges of the leaves.
Temperature
Dieffenbachia plants prefer temperatures above 60°F (15.6°C). Lower leaves turn yellow when exposed to cold drafts from doors, windows, or air conditioners.
Humidity
High humidity is a plus, but a dieffenbachia still does well in basic household humidity.
Flowering
Dieffenbachia develop rather non-descript spath-like flowers. I recommend cutting flowers off as soon as they appear because they slow leaf development.
Pests
Look out for spider mitesLearn how to identify and treat Spider Mites on plants. This sucking plant pest causes yellow blotchy leaves with a red haze and a gritty feel to them. and Mealy BugsLearn how to identify and treat Mealy Bugs, a houseplant pest that leaves sticky, white, cottony residue on houseplants..
Diseases
Humidity loving dieffenbachia plants are subject to bacterial Leaf Spot DiseaseWhen a plant gets Leaf Spot Disease, the attacking fungus or bacteria leaves small brown spots trimmed in yellow where it is feeding on the leaves. These spots may vary in shape, color, and size. As with all other fungal and bacterial diseases, better air circulation, well-drained soil, dry leaves, and less water help control Leaf Spot Disease on plants. Never mist a plant if Leaf Spot Disease is suspected. You can use a commercial fungicide to treat Leaf Spot Disease or the homemade remedy of putting a tablespoon or two of baking soda and a teaspoon or two of mineral oil in a spray bottle of water. Shake the solution well and then spray all areas of the plant that are infected. Keep infected plants away from your other houseplants., Erwinia Blight, and other bacterial diseases that develop in humid conditions.
Soil
The best soil for a dieffenbachia is a rich organic mixture that drains quickly.
Pot Size
A dieffenbachia likes to be a little pot-bound. Repot your plant in the spring if the roots have filled the existing pot. The new container should only be an inch or two wider than the old container.
Pruning
Aggressively prune to keep a dieffenbachia bushy and prevent it from getting top heavy.
Propagation
air layeringLearn how to use Air Layering to propagate houseplants. and stem cuttings are the best ways to propagate a dieffenbachia.
Poisonous Plant Info
Dieffenbachias are extremely poisonousPlants are a great addition to homes and offices, but it’s important to know whether your plants are dangerous to children, pets, or even adults. Some plants contain chemicals such as oxalates, solanine, glycosides, or alkaloid lycorine that may cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, swelling and redness of the mouth, throat, and lips, and trouble breathing. Touching parts of certain plants, especially the sap, may cause various skin irritations. The weight and age of the human or pet involved, and the part and amount of plant eaten determine how severe the reaction to the toxins will be. Although plants may be listed as non-toxic, they can still cause individual allergic reactions. If there is any question after a houseplant has been ingested or touched immediately call the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 The Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants [Paperback]is an excellent reference to keep around if you have young children and pets. plants with a #4 toxicity levelThese are general guidelines that describe how poisonous certain houseplants are. It's possible for an allergic reaction to occur from contact with any houseplant, toxic or non-toxic. If there is ever a concern, call: Poison Control Center: ******1-800-222-1222******
Level #1: Houseplants with low toxicity, may be mildly irritating, especially the sap of the plant.
Level#2: Houseplants with medium to severe toxicity. Eating parts of these houseplants may result in vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, skin irritations, and breathing difficulties.
Level #3: These houseplants are very poisonous. When eaten, especially in large quantities, severe vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, skin irritations, and breathing difficulties can occur.
Level #4: These houseplants are extremely poisonous. Eating parts of these houseplants can be be life threatening.
Every plant listed in our Popular HousePlant guide has a section explaining whether or not it is poisonous and, if so, how poisonous. Amaryllis, alocasia, dieffenbachias, crotons, ivies, azaleas, lilies, and philodendrons are just a few of the highly poisonous plants we use in our homes and offices all of the time. If you don't know whether your houseplant is poisonous, go to Ask Judy on the HousePlant411.com website, send her a picture of your plant, and she'll let you know if the houseplant should be kept away from small children and pets.
See colorful pictures and get more information about poisonous houseplants in
Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants
. If the sap gets on your skin, wash it off immediately. Seek medical advice if a child or pet ingests any part of a dieffenbachia plant.
How do I stop my top heavy dieffenbachia plant from falling over?
I know this will be hard, but the best way to keep a top-heavy dieffenbachia from falling over is to cut off the top 1/3-1/2 of the plant. The remaining plant will send out new growth and quickly become sturdy and bushy. You can remove a few of the bottom leaves from the section you cut off and start a new plant. Wear gloves when pruning!! Dieffenbachia sap is very toxic and can irritate the skin and inflame existing cuts or sores.
Why do the bottom leaves on my dieffenbachia turn yellow?
The bottom leaves on a dieffenbachia plant can turn yellow for a number of reasons: the plant is near a cold draft or an air conditioning vent. The bottom leaves are not getting enough light. The soil has gotten too dry.
Why do the edges of the leaves on my dieffenbachia turn brown and curl under?
The edges of the leaves of a dieffenbachia turn brown from too much plant food or too much salt in your water. Rinse the soil with distilled water to get rid of any unwanted chemicals.
Why do the bottom leaves of my dieffenbachia keep dying while the top of the plant gets new leaves?
It is normal for a dieffenbachia to lose its bottom leaves especially if it is not getting enough light. If your plant is looking bare, cut off the top 1/3 of the plant. Cutting off the top of a dieffenbachia encourages the plant to send out new growth along the main stem and new stems from the roots.
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