How to grow Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia

These plants are sensitive and picky. They love fresh air but can’t take drafts. They love light but can’t take direct sun. So when the weather is nice put them out somewhere sheltered from wind and sun but where they can breathe. While indoors make sure they are in a well ventilated room but away from vents, fans etc. They also love high humidity, 70 to 80 percent, so mist often with a spray bottle of water. Wash their leaves every couple of weeks as well. Some variaties prefer more shade than others too.

The amount of indirect light they recieve effects both growth and flowering. Darker rooms will make for a smaller plant and less likely to bloom. More indirect lighting will produce a larger plant that is more likely to bloom. They bloom better when are planted outdoors in warm climates

Growing Dieffenbachia from seed

Propagate by cutting their center stem with several leaves intact and planting it in a new pot. This can also be done with any side shoots produced. Water them well and transplant after you see new growth and roots unless you rooted them in intended pot. Transplant yearly in the spring to a larger pot.

Transplanting Dieffenbachia

If kept in container transplant yearly in the spring to a larger sized container/pot and add good amended soil to fill in. Also put rocks or broken bricks in base of pots. Keep them moist but do not over soak and make them soggy.Do not let them dry out. If they dry out they’ll lose their lower leaves and have more of tree look to them. Losing lower leaves is also something that occurs naturally with age.

Ensure that temperatures are mild (minimum night temperatures should be around 20°C / 68°F) and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Dieffenbachia is a tender plant.

Harvesting Dieffenbachia

The fruit/berriy of this plant is poisonous.1 Keep out of reach of children and pets and discard in safe manner.

Seed Saving Dieffenbachia

These plants are sterile and produce no viable seeds nor grow true to form. Propagate from stem cuttings.

How long does Dieffenbachia take to grow?

These estimates for how long Dieffenbachia takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

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Dieffenbachia Etymology

The common name Dumb Cane comes from the toxicity of these plants1. When eaten it causes the tongue to swell and the person can not speak. Not being able to speak is sometimes called “dumb”.2

Dieffenbachia Folklore & Trivia

In the days of slavery plantation owners would use this plant to punish slaves3 and force them to eat it. After which it would be quite a while before they could speak again.23

The Nazis considered using the dumb cane to sterilize war prisoners.3

Other names for Dieffenbachia

Dumb Cane

Dieffenbachia Schott

Misspellings: Diffenbachia

Footnotes

1 Medline plus article on Diefenbachia poisoning

2 Dictionary.com

3 Not So Dumb After All


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