Dieffenbachia is one of those stately looking indoor plants with very large leaves that are variegated.
It is fairly easy to grow, and makes a great addition to your collection of indoor plants.
Most people grow dieffenbachia for their eye catching leaves. The plant has a tropical look and various varieties can be striped, spotted or have colored veins.
Some are solid colors. All are impressive and make great house plants.
The plant is quite easy to grow. Just follow the steps below.
Size of dieffenbachia
Be sure you have room to grow this plant Dieffenbachia can grow quite tall.
They will lose their bottom leaves in time. This gives them a palm tree like shape which is quite attractive.
They may need staking if they get too tall, or they will get top heavy.
Sunlight needs for dieffenbachia
The plant will grow in a wide range of light conditions, but likes bright, indirect light the best.
This makes it an ideal houseplant. You will know if it gets too much light because the leaves will start to turn yellow.
If you have it in very low light, it will grow but only very slowly.
How often should I water dieffenbachia?
Water dumb cane when the soil is starting to get dry. Just stick your finger in to the first knuckle. If the soil is dry there, it’s time to water.
Also, if the leaves droop, or start to brown on the edges, this is a sign that the plant needs more water.
Fertilizing and humidity needs for dumb cane
Fertilize with a houseplant fertilizer in spring and early summer. Do not fertilize in the winter when the plant slows down growth.
Dieffenbachia loves humidity. Putting it in a bathroom will give you bath a great look and give it the humidity it likes. If you want to have it in another room, mist the leaves from time to time to keep the humidity high.
Propagating dieffenbachia
The plant will grow easily from cuttings in a glass of water. Plant in potting soil when the roots have started to grow.
Dieffenbachia will also grow from stem cuttings.
When your stem has dropped a lot of leaves, cut a piece of the stem off, and slice int 2″ pieces.
Dry them for a day or so and then stick into a rooting medium such as perlite, sand or vermiculite.
The cuttings will establish roots and then grow into new plants. Also the area about the place where you cut the stem will also sprout into new growth to make the plant more bushy.
Temperature range for dumb cane plant
Keep the temperature above 50 degrees. Ideal is 65 to 75 degrees.
A spot outside in the shade during the summer will be fine as long as it does not get too hot where you live.
Toxicity of dieffenbachia
The common name for Dieffenbachia is dumbcane. This comes from the fact that all of the plant’s parts contain raphides (crystalline, needle like structures which cause stinging and burning of the mouth and throat.)
Keep this plant out of reach if you have small children or pets. Its poisonous nature is the reason for the common name “Dumb cane.”
Handle the plant with care when making cuttings and keep small children and pets away from the plant.
Check out this article for more information on Dieffenbachia poisoning.
Dumb cane can grow to quite a large sized plant, as this specimen at the Missouri Botanic garden shows.
It makes a great focal plant, especially since it can be grown in corners of a room.
23 responses to “How To Grow a Dieffenbachia”
Hi!
I was hoping for some help in determining what the powdery white substance is on the leaves of my dieffenbachia maculata. I first notice it about 3 weeks ago. I washed the plant; the powdery substance was gone. Now it back. HELP!
Hi Berta. It sounds as though you might have a case of powdery mildew. It is a fungal infection and will spread to other plants. Most home improvement stores carry fungicides that will take care of it.
Carol
I recently repotted my dumb cane plants and now the big leaves are turning yellow please help
Hi Deonne. It is hard to know why they have turned yellow. Sometimes on repotting, there is much more soil in the pot compared to the way it was before. Pot bound plants take more water than those that have more soil, normally. Perhaps you are watering it too much now? Carol
Thank you sooooo much for this information. I was at a complete loss as to how to care for my plant. I’m going to try to add a picture of it. A friend recommended I put it in a glass of water but would lovea 2nd opinion.
Picture attached…
Can this plant grow bigger if potted in a bigger pot after 1 year ?
All plants will grow larger if they are place in a bigger pot, since there is more room for the roots to grow. However, you need to be careful not to repot too soon. The plat should be slightly pot bound before moving to a larger sized pot.
GM. I have had a Dumbcane for over 6 years. It is to the ceiling now and even though it is stakes its starting to get so top heavy its tipping over. Can I cut and propagate a plant that has a 4inch thick stalk?
Yes you can. New grow roots better than older tough stalks but in time, it should develop roots.
I have had a dumbcane for 5 years and it is touching the ceiling. The leaves are gone from the pot to about 3 feet up. Can I cut it off and will it regrow?
When you cut the stem off, it should sprout new growth from the cut area. I’ve never tried one which has no leaves at all below the cut, but in theory, it should work. The part you can off at the top can be used to start a new plant too.
Hi; I just bought a Diffenbachia plant on October 1st, but hasn’t repotted it yet….. Should I wait a while before set to repot! I want this plant to grow very well…..
Normally indoor plants don’t need repotting for a few years. Repotting them before they are root bound will slow down their growth.
I bought this plants, sadly the leaves are turning brown and seems dying now. What should I do? Thanks
There are lots of reasons that this could be happening but I can’t diagnose specific problems for plants since I can’t see them in person. Reasons could be underwatering, over watering, not enough light, etc.
I have a three year old, 4 foot tall dieffenbachia plant and I was wondering what size/shape pot would be the best. It is currently in a 12 inch diameter pot but has fallen over multiple times. Would a taller more narrow pot be better or a wider one? Thank you
Repotting is done when the plant is root bound. The way to determine this is to take the root ball out of the pot and see if it is a mass of roots. If pot bound, the normal advice is to repot in a pot 1/3 larger. If the pot is tipping over, pruning the top could also help if the roots are not pot bound.
I’ve had my dumb cane now for 25yrs. It’s about 8 feet tall. Can I cut from the bottom and just stick it back in the pot and water it. Will it grow or die. I love these plants. I have several in my home. People always commet how beautiful they are and full. I only feed them club soda and coffee grounds.
I do the same to my outside roses. Thank you,
If you cut the stem, eventually roots will grow from it and it will grow again. It takes a while but is possible. Try to keep the humidity high while it is rooting. The plant will also sprout from the area of the stem that you cut.
Hi everyone, I was wondering what the small bulbs, grown from a leaf, in the center of the plant. I wish I could post a photo… they are 2in tall & open up once/day
It’s hard to say for sure but sounds like your plant may be flowering. This is unusual but does happen sometimes with a plant grown indoors.
Linda Corey again…there are photos small plant from our brothers funeral flowers and keeps growing beautiful since Sept I don’t want to kill itself