How To Grow a Dieffenbachia

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 a soilless mixture of perlite, peat moss and 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.

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