How to Grow a Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is a tropical native grown as a houseplant.

The dieffenbachia plant is nicknamed dumb cane because of the acrid sap found on it's leaves and canelike stem. This sap can temporarily burn the mouth and may even temporarily paralyze the vocal cords. So if you are handling this plant either wear gloves or wash your hands prior to placing your fingers in your mouth or eyes. Apart from this occasional danger, dieffenbachia is a fast-growing houseplant grown for its exotic leaves, which can be mottled in shades of white, striped, veined or spotted.

Things You'll Need

• Pail
• Fertilizer
• Liquid dishsoap
• Rag
• Indoor insecticide (as needed)

Instructions

1. Place your dieffenbachia in indirect, bright light. This plant tolerates a wide range of light, but if you see the leaves yellowing you know you should remove it from direct sunlight and restrict it to no more than two hours a day. Plants in low light may not grow as quickly as those ideally placed.

2. Water when the soil is dry down to 1 inch. Increase your regular watering if your leaves are turning brown around the edges, your plant is not getting enough water. The leaves also begin to droop. The best way to know you have watered it enough is to immerse your plant in a pail half filled with water. When the water stops bubbling, the plant has enough to drink. Allow the rest of the water to drain into the pail before placing it back in the window.

3. Use a standard houseplant fertilizer, fertilizing once in the early spring and again during the summer.

4. Examine the plants for a sticky substance called honeydew. Honeydew on the upper surfaces of leaves is an indicator of infestation by mealybugs and aphids. Wash leaves in a solution of water and liquid dishwashing soap. Use an indoor-rated insecticide with bifenthrin or permethrin to treat these infestations if they don't respond to the soap.

Tips & Warnings

• Place this plant in the bathroom once in awhile when showering. It enjoys the steamy atmosphere.

• To root new plants, cut off a piece several inches up and place in water until it roots. The original plant grows a sprout here, and you can plant your new one.

• No more than two hours of direct sun a day.

• Do not let the soil dry out completely.

• Dieffenbachia likes a temperature range of 70 to 80 F

References

• Clemson University Extension: Dieffenbachia
• University of Minnesota Extension: Houseplant Insect Control
• Better Homes and Gardens Favorite House Plants