Tropical perennials of the genus Dieffenbachia include numerous species that are frequently grown as houseplants. Their pointy, ovate leaves come in different shades of green, cream, and white. If given enough light, dieffenbachia, a plant that grows quickly, can reach a height of 2 feet in just a year after being planted as a rooted cutting.
Light
Dieffenbachia plants can grow in shade, which makes them ideal indoor plants. However, throughout the winter, these plants benefit from intense light. The plant loves dappled shade or indirect light during the growing season. To maintain a balanced growth pattern, rotate the plant occasionally because it will prefer the side facing the light.
Soil
Use a well-drained, instant potting mix. To prevent harming the roots, make sure the soil has sufficient drainage; they should never be left in wet soil.
Water
During the growing season, dieffenbachias like regular moisture and do not want to dry out. A large dieffenbachia might need to be watered twice a week. In the winter, you can cut back on the water. At the same time, it’s important not to overwater a dieffenbachia, which can cause rot problems. Make sure the top of the soil is fully dried out before watering.
Temperature and Humidity
This plant prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant is prone to shed lower leaves and develop a palm-like appearance if the temperature falls below 60 degrees or if it is exposed to cold breezes.
Fertilizer
For best results, feed regularly (every four to six weeks) with a balanced, diluted fertilizer, such as a 20-20-20. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions. However, some growers swear by a routine of using a weak diluted fertilizer at every watering.
There are three easy ways to propagate a dieffenbachia plant.
To divide by root division:
1. During repotting in the spring, offsets can be divided (leaving some roots intact) and planted in their own pots.
2. If you take this route, make sure not to damage the root systems of the parent plant in the process, and use a sterilized tool to avoid spreading disease.
To propagate a stump:
1. In older, leggy dieffenbachias, the top can be cut off and potted into fresh potting soil with a rooting hormone.
2. New leaves will sprout from the stump.
3. Once new leaves appear, remove the older leaves.
To propagate with cane cuttings:
1. Pieces of the cane can be sprouted by laying them horizontally in damp potting soil.
2. As the pieces take root, leaves will gradually sprout.
3. Plant each rooted piece in its own pot filled with fresh potting mix.
Dieffenbachias often need annual replanting. Watch out for signs of stress on the plant, such as roots poking out from the surface, crowding, or falling leaves, which could signal that the plant needs repotting. To repot, simply lift the plant as a whole, knock away any old soil and dead material from the roots, and place it in a larger container with some added fresh soil. After repotting a dieffenbachia, give it some time to adjust to its new setting. Wear gloves to avoid contact with the sap.1
Dieffenbachia plants are generally trouble-free, however they can be vulnerable to spider mites, like many indoor plants. You can use a horticultural oil to cure these.
You will be able to tell a lot about your dieffenbachia by the state of its leaves. Watch for certain colorations on the leaves to let you know what to do to amend conditions.
Overwatering or underwatering your plant can turn the leaves yellow. Often, they will also fall off the plant. Check the soil by sticking a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle. If it’s wet, hold off on watering for a week or so. You may have to go a little deeper to see if the soil is too dry, which means you need to add water to the plant. Cut off the yellow leaves regardless of the reason.
Leaves could also turn yellow because the plant is lacking nutrients, such as nitrogen. Though this can be tough to diagnose, it won’t hurt to use a plant fertilizer to see if will bring your plant back to health.
Although the term “dumb cane” has lost favour as a derogatory nickname, it was given to the plant because it contains chemicals that can impair speech. Humans, dogs, and cats are all extremely harmful to it.
