Dieffenbachia: care, propagation & varieties of dumb cane

Dieffenbachia have beautifully patterned leaves, so it is no surprise that they are one of the most popular houseplants. Find out all about planting and caring for dumb cane and discover some of the most beautiful dieffenbachia varieties.

The species Dieffenbachia has plenty to offer and is perfect for anyone looking to spruce up their home by adding a bit of greenery, especially if you love plants with a tropical vibe. Keep reading to learn more about these beloved — albeit toxic — houseplants.

Dieffenbachia: origin and properties

Dieffenbachia plants, otherwise known as dumb cane, belong to the arum family known as Araceae. These plants originate from the tropical regions of Central and South America, where they are often used to decorate parks. In the UK and elsewhere around the globe, they are popular houseplants, well-known for their unique leaf patterns.

Dieffenbachia leaves are oval to lance-shaped, sit alternately on the stem and grow up to 45cm long. They usually range in colour from light green to dark green, with yellow, cream, white or light green variegation in the form of speckling or stripes. The plant itself reaches a total height of about 60cm. When kept indoors as a houseplant, dieffenbachias seldom bloom. When dieffenbachias flower in their natural habitat, they produce typical arum plant flowers consisting of a bright flower bulb surrounded by light green bracts.

Dieffenbachia varieties

There are around 51 known species of dieffenbachia. Whilst it can be difficult to distinguish between all of them visually, they are all similar in terms of care and site requirements. Varieties of Dieffenbachia seguine, previously known as Dieffenbachia maculata, are most frequently kept as houseplants.

Dieffenbachia seguine

• Dieffenbachia seguine ‘Camille’ has a large, yellow to creamy-white centre with deep, dark green leaf margins.

• Dieffenbachia seguine ‘Green Magic’ is an impressive dieffenbachia variety with a thick, cream midrib that contrasts starkly against the otherwise matt, dark green leaves.
  
• Dieffenbachia seguine ‘Tiki’ has uniquely white speckled leaves.

• Dieffenbachia seguine ‘Tropic Snow’ has lance-shaped leaves with highly contrasting white variegation.
• Dieffenbachia seguine ‘Compacta’ has dark green leaf margins with beautiful white to light green markings towards the centre.

• Dieffenbachia seguine ‘Mars’ has light green, lance-shaped leaves with beautiful dark green speckling and yellow leaf veining.

Dieffenbachia oerstedii

Often found in botanical gardens, this species has green leaves with contrasting light leaf veining.

Dieffenbachia bowmannii

A large dieffenbachia species with green leaves with pale green to white patterning that reach up to 60cm long.

Dieffenbachia amoena

A popular tall dumb cane variety that reaches up to 180cm in height and has a highly contrasting leaf pattern.

How to plant dumb cane

Dumb cane grows extremely well in bright places with indirect sunlight. Understandably considering its tropical origins, this plant prefers warm and humid conditions. It does not tolerate large temperature fluctuations well, so keep the temperature between 18 and 23 °C at all times. Choose the plant pot according to the size of the plant and make sure it has drainage holes. Before you plant your dumb cane, add a drainage layer of expanded clay or gravel to the bottom of the pot to help prevent waterlogging. Choose a nutrient and humus rich potting soil, such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost. Our compost is well-suited to tropical plants like dieffenbachias, as it retains water well, is free draining and has the right nutrient ratio for these types of plants. If you notice that the roots start protruding out of the drainage holes, plant your dumb cane into a bigger pot, ideally in the spring.

Caution: dieffenbachias are poisonous, so always wear gloves when handling them.

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Did you know? Dieffenbachia varieties with very green leaves can tolerate darker conditions. Highly variegated dieffenbachias, on the other hand, need a bright location; otherwise, their leaves will lose their variegation and revert back to green.

Dieffenbachia care

Dieffenbachias are generally low-maintenance, beginner-friendly houseplants, so if you notice your dieffenbachia leaves turning yellow, there is something wrong in terms of plant care. Here are some of the most important dumb cane care measures to keep these plants happy and healthy.

Watering

Whilst dieffenbachias need quite a lot of water, they do not tolerate waterlogging. To find out whether your plant needs watering, check the dieffenbachia’s soil with your finger. If the first 2cm of soil are dry to the touch, go ahead and water your plant. As tropical plants, dieffenbachias appreciate higher humidity, so mist their leaves regularly to increase the humidity. Also remember to clean the leaves regularly to ensure the plant can keep photosynthesising efficiently.

Tip: dieffenbachias kept in warm locations with low humidity will need watering more often because lots of water is lost via the leaves through transpiration.

Fertilising

Dumb canes need feeding once a fortnight from March to September. Cease fertilising in winter. When it comes to which fertiliser to use, opt for a high-quality liquid fertiliser, such as our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food, as these are easy to apply when watering your plants. Our fertiliser has a well-balanced NK ratio to ensure lush green foliage and also contains microorganisms that promote strong root growth for healthy and disease-resistant plants.

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Pruning

Generally speaking, dieffenbachias do not need to be cut back. That said, they tolerate pruning very well, so feel free to remove older or discoloured leaves to tidy up your plant. Over time, your dieffenbachia may lose a few leaves and might start looking a bit leggy. To rejuvenate a leggy dieffenbachia, give it a radical pruning. Doing so will encourage new leaves to grow from the dormant nodes in the trunk. You can even use the parts you cut off to propagate new dieffenbachias, which you can find out more about below.

Common diseases and pests

Care mistakes or pests may leave your dieffenbachia looking a little worse for wear. But with a little problem solving and some TLC, you will have your plant looking healthy again in no time.

Root rot: usually due to overwatering and the subsequent waterlogging. Signs of root rot include brown or yellowing leaf tips. If you suspect root rot is the problem, repot the plant as soon as possible into fresh dry soil. You will notice the roots are dark brown and mushy if root rot is present.

Leaf spot: a fungal disease that results in your plant’s leaves turning brown or getting black spots. If leaf spot is present, treat your plant with a suitable fungicide. Remove and dispose of affected foliage straight away to prevent it from spreading.

Spider mites: tell-tale signs of spider mites include webbing and light stippling on the leaves. You can either use beneficial insects such as predatory mites to control spider mites, potassium soap, neem or rapeseed oil-based plant protection products.

Mealybugs: these are relatively large bugs that can be seen on the plant. They suck the plant sap from the phloem of the plant, weakening it in the process. Affected plants can be treated with neem-oil-based products or with a washing up liquid and water solution.

Dieffenbachia propagation

The easiest way to propagate dieffenbachias is by taking either tip or section cuttings and letting them root in water or soil. To take a tip cutting, cut off a piece of the main stem below a node, making sure the cutting has two to three leaves. Place it in a glass of water, keep it somewhere warm and bright and remember to change the water regularly. After a few days, your dieffenbachia cutting will develop roots and you can pot up the young plant into a suitable potting soil.

To take a section cutting, cut a 5cm-long piece off one of the plant’s stems. Fill the planting container with growing soil, such as our Plantura Organic Herb & Seedling Compost, which is available to buy in our Plantura online shop. Then cover the container with cling film or a clear plastic bag to keep the temperature and humidity constant. Do not let the soil dry out, and remember to air it out regularly to prevent mould from growing.

Toxicity

As we have already mentioned, dieffenbachias are poisonous for humans, so they are not the best plants if you have small children who may be drawn in by their colourful leaves. Neither are dieffenbachias cat or dog-friendly. If you have small children or pets, either keep your dumb cane well out of reach or opt for another houseplant altogether. It is also best to wear gloves while handling this plant.

With its heart-shaped leaves, the creeping fig (Ficus pumila) is another low-maintenance indoor plant that is great for adding visual interest to your home.