How to Care for a Diffenbachia Plant
Dieffenbachia is a popular houseplant valued for its ornamental foliage. The plant can reach up to 6 feet in height and produces large, colorful leaves in various shades of green that are marked with spots, stripes and veins of lighter green. Dieffenbachia is also known as dumb cane because of its ability to numb the mouth when eaten. It should be handled with care, but is quite easy to grow under most household conditions. It is commonly grown in homes and offices for its ease of care and adaptability to a wide range of light levels. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Plant dieffenbachia in well-drained potting soil formulated for houseplants. Place the plant in an area that receives indirect sunlight for most of the day. Dumb cane will tolerate low light conditions, but performs best in bright, filtered light. Avoid direct sunlight.
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Keep dieffenbachia plants at a constant temperature of 60 to 75 degrees, which is the typical household temperature. Protect plants from sudden changes in temperature and extreme cold, as the foliage could be damaged.
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Water dumb cane once every seven to 10 days, allowing the soil to dry out to a depth of about 1 inch between applications. Never allow the soil to become completely dry or too soggy. Dieffenbachia plants need moist, but not wet, conditions to thrive.
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Feed dieffenbachia once per month with a liquid houseplant fertilizer in March through September. Dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength for the best results. Do not fertilize during October through February, when the plant is growing less vigorously.
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Use clean pruning shears to cut back dieffenbachia stems to about 6 inches in height any time they begin to grow too long or bare. New growth will appear below the cut. As the plant becomes larger, it will naturally drop its lower leaves to reveal a trunk-like stem.
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Repot dieffenbachia plants in early spring, before new growth begins. Plant in a slightly larger container and use fresh potting soil. Water and fertilize immediately after repotting to initiate new growth and help the plant settle in.
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Tips & Warnings
Dieffenbachia prefers low humidity. Unlike many other tropical houseplants, misting is not required to keep the plant happy.
Keep dieffenbachia out of reach of children and pets. The plant produces calcium oxalate crystals in its sap, which causes inflammation, burning and numbing when ingested or introduced to soft tissue around the face. The sap is also toxic to open cuts and wounds. Always wear gloves while handling the plant to avoid injury.
