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Dieffenbachia, also commonly referred to as dumb cane or dumb cane plant, is a genus of houseplants known for being very easy to care for. In this post, I’ll review Dieffenbachia care as well as propagating Dieffenbachia.
Dieffenbachia is native to parts of Central and South America. There are many different species of this genus that can suit your ideal aesthetic, from light green, to dark green, to heavily variegated, etc.
Dieffenbachia is nicknamed dumb cane because it has a toxic sap that will cause loss of speech temporarily if ingested. You’ll want to watch out for that when caring for your Dieffenbachia. I’ll discuss this more throughout the post.
Some people might brush off these plants are being too ordinary looking. But hopefully, this post will change your mind if you’re one of these people! Dieffenbachia is also commonly confused with Aglaonemas, but they’re not the same.
Where Can I Buy a Dieffenbachia?
You can easily find a Dieffenbachia to purchase on Etsy. Check out this beautiful Dieffenbachia from one of my favorite Etsy shops!
Dieffenbachia Care
How much sunlight does a Dieffenbachia need?
In general, Dieffenbachia prefers bright to medium, filtered light. This means the light will pass through something first, like a sheer curtain, before hitting the plant.
They can also tolerate low light (which is what makes Dieffenbachia care so low maintenance!) but keep in mind they won’t grow as fast. Do not give this plant direct light or it could scorch the leaves.
It’s also important to keep in mind, as there are many different species within this genus, some may have slightly different light requirements. For example, plants with lighter leaves typically need more light, and vice versa.
And, if your home is just plain dark, check out my guide to grow lights. (These lights are currently my absolute favorite grow lights because the clip-on base and bendable gooseneck lights make them extremely versatile.)
How often should you water a Dieffenbachia plant?
How often you water your Dieffenbachia will depend on conditions like light level and climate. Rather than watering after a set amount of time, you should water your Dieffenbachia when the top two inches of the potting mix is dry, however long that ends up being.
Why are the leaves on my Dieffenbachia turning yellow?
The most common cause of yellow leaves is overwatering. However, underwatering could also be the culprit (tricky, right?). Use your finger to feel a few inches down into the potting mix to help determine the cause.
Other possible problems that are slightly less common include nutrient deficiency, pests, lack of humidity, and too much light.
Should I mist Dieffenbachia?
Yes! As Dieffenbachia are native to tropical regions, they like extra humidity in their environment. You can mist them daily to every few days depending on your home’s humidity level.
You can also use other methods to provide humidity such as a pebble tray or humidifier. I review more methods, step-by-step, in my guide to creating humidity for houseplants.
Fertilizing
You can fertilize your Dieffenbachia using a balanced liquid indoor plant fertilizer. 20-20-20 is a good NPK ratio for this plant. (The NPK ratio stands for nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium.)
Dilute the fertilizer to half-strength and fertilize every two weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). I use this balanced fertilizer and my plants love it!
Potting Mix
Use a well-draining potting mix that also holds some moisture. Regular indoor plant potting mix with some additional perlite mixed in will work perfectly.
I always just eyeball the perlite—a handful to a couple of handfuls depending on the size of the pot. It doesn’t need to overpower the potting mix, but rather just add a little extra drainage. Check out my tutorial on repotting dieffenbachias for more tips.
Repotting
Generally, repot your Dieffenbachia every other year. However, if it’s not potbound and seems to still be doing fine in its pot, then there’s no need to repot it!
Repot your plant in one the next size up from its current pot that has drainage holes. It’s best to do your repotting in the spring or summer if you can help it.
Pruning
Typically, Dieffenbachia doesn’t require heavy pruning. However, if your plant is getting too tall or leggy, you can cut back the stems.
Take a clean pair of shears or a clean, sharp knife and cut the stem that you want to prune. Identify a node (where the leaves attach to the stem) and cut about a quarter-inch above it, while also making sure it’s about six inches above the potting mix.
Doing this encourages new growth in that area while removing any unwanted stems. Don’t take too much of your plant at once or it could shock your plant, and only prune if it’s really necessary.
Note: It’s a good idea to wear gloves when cutting back your plant because Dieffenbachia produces a toxic sap that can irritate skin. Don’t touch your eyes after cutting Dieffenbachia until you’ve washed your hands.
Aside from this, remove any dead or dying leaves once they can be gently pulled away from the plant.
Propagating Dieffenbachia
Propagating Dieffenbachia Through Cuttings
You can propagate Dieffenbachia through stem cuttings. Using a pair of clean shears, cut off a piece of stem a quarter-inch below a node (where leaves meet the stem) on a stem that has at least a few leaves growing on it already.
Place the cutting in water so the node is under the water, and put it in medium to bright indirect light. Once the roots are a few inches long, you can plant it into potting mix.
Alternatively, instead of putting the cutting in water, place the cutting directly into potting mix, water it, and care for it how you normally would.
Propagation Dieffenbachia by Division
Although less exciting, you can also propagate your Dieffenbachia through division by simply removing a baby plant, or two separate mature plants growing the same pot, and repotting them.
Remove the Dieffenbachia from its pot and gently untangle the roots of the parts you’re separating. If the roots are very tangled, use a pair of clean shears to cut the roots away from each other, but try to leave as much intact as possible.
Note: Remember, it’s a good idea to wear gloves when cutting your plant because Dieffenbachia produces a toxic sap that can irritate skin. Don’t touch your eyes after cutting Dieffenbachia until you’ve washed your hands.
Additional Information
Is Dieffenbachia Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Dieffenbachia is toxic to animals and humans, so keep this plant out of your furry friends’ reach or opt to skip this plant altogether. Note that even if a plant is non-toxic, it’s best practice to keep it out of your pets’ reach.
Add this low-maintenance plant to your collection! Get it here!
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