
- Give the plant lots of indirect light or grow outside in speckled shady areas of zones 11 and 12.
- Plant dieffenbachia in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix.
- Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry.
- A month after planting, begin feeding with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food.
- Prune when the plant is too tall or the stem is naked.
- Root cuttings to create new dieffenbachia plants.
How do you take care of Dieffenbachia?
Dieffenbachia grows best with soil that’s not overly moist. Hold off on watering the plant until the top 2 inches of soil are dry, then water thoroughly at the base of the plant. Droopy leaves are usually a sign that the plant needs to be watered. How to Feed Dieffenbachia
What kind of soil does Dieffenbachia like?
Dieffenbachia plants thrive in soil that is consistently slightly moist but not soggy, as this can cause problems down the line. So, with your Dieffenbachia plant, you need to ensure that the first 1 to 2 inches of soil are always moist to keep your plant happy.
What is a Dieffenbachia?
The Dieffenbachia is a plant that requires very little attention and actually thrives when you forget to water it for a few days. It's quite a forgiving plant, which makes it great for the beginning plant owners.
What is the best fertilizer for Dieffenbachia?
For best results, feed regularly (every four to six weeks) with a balanced, diluted fertilizer, such as a 20-20-20. However, some growers swear by a routine of using a weak diluted fertilizer at every watering. Of the many species of Dieffenbachia, only a few are commonly sold commercially:

How do you make dieffenbachia happy?
Dieffenbachia prefer soil that is consistently and lightly moist, but not soggy. Generally, aim to water when the top 1”- 2” of the soil is dry, but if the plant is in a lower light condition, it can comfortably dry out a little further.
How do you encourage dieffenbachia growth?
To keep dieffenbachia from growing leggy, pinch or prune out the new growth at the top regularly. Pruning out new top growth like this will encourage your plant to grow bushier, and stay more compact. What is this? If your dumb cane has grown tall and leggy, you can top the plant, or cut it back anywhere on the stem.
How do you keep dieffenbachia healthy?
Dieffenbachia grows best with soil that's not overly moist. Hold off on watering the plant until the top 2 inches of soil are dry, then water thoroughly at the base of the plant. Droopy leaves are usually a sign that the plant needs to be watered.
Do dieffenbachia plants like coffee grounds?
Plants that prefer more acidic soil (such as African violets, Impatiens, Norfolk Island pines, Phalaenopsis orchids, and Dieffenbachia) seem to respond well to a weekly watering with coffee.
How do you thicken a dieffenbachia plant?
How to Grow Thicker Dieffenbachia StalksRe-pot the plant into a larger container. ... Place the pot in an east-facing window, and maintain warm temperatures. ... Maintain appropriate moisture, and avoid overwatering. ... Treat with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
What causes dieffenbachia leaves to yellow?
Exposure to too much sun can cause a plant leaf to turn yellow and droop. Before you know it, all the leaves will turn yellow. If your plant is placed in the middle of the room away from a light source, it's best to move it to the window sill, where it can get direct sunlight during the day.
Why do dieffenbachia have brown tips?
Leaves have brown tips — Brown tips on your dieffenbachia's leaves could be caused by uneven watering. Keep your watering practices a little more regular and never let your plant sit in water. Leaves are curled with brown edges — Curled, browning leaves could be caused by excessive fertilizer application.
How often should I water dieffenbachia?
once every two weeksThe Dieffenbachia is right in between. It has thin roots, so it can't tolerate wet soil for too long, but it also doesn't store a lot of moisture by itself. This is why you should water your Dieffenbachia regularly, but not too often. Once per week or once every two weeks is usually the right time to water your plant.
How do you fertilize indoor plants?
3:159:45How to Fertilize Indoor Plants | A Beginner's Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can still use a very diluted liquid fertilizer throughout the period of time that you'reMoreYou can still use a very diluted liquid fertilizer throughout the period of time that you're fertilizing. Here here is another really important thing to consider.
What is the best homemade fertilizer for indoor plants?
You can make a homemade liquid fertilizer for indoor plants using one or a combination of these natural ingredients.Worm tea. ... Cooking water. ... Coffee grounds. ... Green tea. ... Epsom salt. ... Fish tank water. ... Hair. ... Molasses. The last natural indoor plant fertilizer on this list is molasses .More items...•
Are eggshells good for plants?
The calcium from eggshells is also welcome in garden soil, where it moderates soil acidity while providing nutrients for plants. Eggshells contain such an abundance of calcium that they can be used almost like lime, though you would need a lot of eggshells to make a measurable impact.
Why is my dieffenbachia crying?
Guttation is a physical reaction that the dieffenbachia experiences after consistent overwatering. When the dieffenbachia is consistently overwatered, its roots begin to absorb more water than it is able to process. The buildup of water is excreted through the margins of the dieffenbachia's foliage in sap form.
Should I mist my dieffenbachia?
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.
Do Dumb Cane plants like to be misted?
The goal should be to have a 60 percent humidity level throughout the year. You can place your plants atop a tray filled with water and pebbles, or use a humidifier. Misting the plant's leaves is a temporary help, but isn't enough to keep the humidity levels sufficient.
How often should you water dieffenbachia?
once every two weeksThe Dieffenbachia is right in between. It has thin roots, so it can't tolerate wet soil for too long, but it also doesn't store a lot of moisture by itself. This is why you should water your Dieffenbachia regularly, but not too often. Once per week or once every two weeks is usually the right time to water your plant.
How do you make a dieffenbachia branch?
The easiest way to propagate your dieffenbachia is by rooting cuttings, either tip cuttings or stem cuttings. Plant these small pieces of greenery in the right medium and they will produce roots and, eventually, an entirely new plant.
How to grow dieffenbachia?
How to Grow More Dieffenbachia. The best way to grow more dieffenbachia plants is to take stem cuttings (this is called “propagating”). Cut off the growing tip of the plant but leave the top two leaves. Dip the cut end in Miracle-Gro® FastRoot1® Dry Powder Rooting Hormone and stick it 1 to 2 inches down in a small container filled ...
How to grow Dieffenbachia in a container?
How to Plant Dieffenbachia. Select a container that is no more than 1/3 wider in diameter than the plant’s original pot or root ball. Fill the bottom 1/3 of the container with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix, which is lightweight and formulated to be less prone to gnats (a common problem with houseplants), as it contains no compost or bark for ...
Why is my Dieffenbachia numb?
This plant’s common name is “dumbcane,” and for good reason: The sap of the plant can cause numbness when touched and interfere with the ability to speak if it gets near your mouth, causing you to temporarily become mute, or “dumb.”.
Can dieffenbachias grow in shade?
It can tolerate low light, but its growth will slow dramatically. Given more light, it will quickly begin to grow again. Gardeners living in zones 11 and 12 can grow dieffenbachia outdoors in partial shade, where it makes a great landscape plant.
Does dieffenbachia have leaves?
There are a variety of cultivars available, most with variegated white and green, cream and green, or all-green leaves that can be speckled, splotched, or loosely striped. Primarily grown for foliage, dieffenbachia rarely flowers, but when it does, the bloom looks a bit like a peace lily.
What kind of light do dieffenbachias need?
So the perfect light exposure for your Dieffenbachia is indirect light or even lowlight situations.
How do you know if a Dieffenbachia plant needs too much sunlight?
As with the watering issues, your plant will also let you know if it's not getting the light it needs to thrive. If the leaves turn green, it's not getting enough sunlight and if they're turning yellow, it's getting too much sunlight . If you know you've watered your Dieffenbachia perfectly, but its leaves are still turning yellow, you'll know it's getting too much light.
What does it mean when your Dieffenbachia leaves turn yellow?
When the leaves are starting to hang a little bit, then it's not getting enough water.
Is Dieffenbachia poisonous to pets?
The Dieffenbachia is mildly toxic to pets and small children when the leaves and stems are being chewed. Chewing this plant can cause irritation and a burning sensation. Luckily this is only temporary and the symptoms are only mild. It's still a good idea to keep this plant away from your pets and young children if you can.
Can you donate a plant guide?
Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide or donate a plant in order to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.
Do you have to water Dieffenbachia?
If you've ever taken care of plants that have wild patterns on its leaves or stems, you'll know that these plants often require a bit more attention than plants that have plain looking leaves. However, this is not always the case. The Dieffenbachia is a plant that requires very little attention and actually thrives when you forget to water it for a few days. It's quite a forgiving plant, which makes it great for the beginning plant owners. It will also tell you very quickly when it's not happy, so you can adjust your plant care in time, before serious harm can be done.
What are the colors of dieffenbachia?
Let’s know more about How to care for dieffenbachia in this article. Colors: Green, White, Yellow and Variegated. Features: Air-purifying plant, Low light houseplant, Big foliage indoor plant.
What is a dumb cane?
Image Credit: The Joy of UK. Popularly known as dumb cane, dieffenbachia is a no-fuss plant. The broad and large leaves, with intricate patterns, are showy and give a tropical feel to the place where you plant it. There are many types of dumb canes, and variegation of leaves and plant size depends on the cultivar you’re growing.
Do dieffenbachias need to dry out?
In contrast, an average indoor dieffenbachia receiving indirect sunlight and moderate airflow need to dry out between watering spells. This is an important point to consider while taking care of dieffenbachia.
Does Dieffenbachia grow in a root bound state?
Note: Dieffenbachia grows best in a slightly root bound state.
Can a dwarf terracotta pot be used indoors?
Since this houseplant becomes tall and has the ability to adjust in a smaller pot, choose a decorative terracotta pot for the indoor purpose.
Does dieffenbachia need humidity?
Humidity. Some cultivars of dieffenbachia do benefit from the raised humidity levels. But most of them don’t show any significant difference when in the high humid surroundi ngs. Moreover, extremely humid conditions can lead to anthracnose fungal disease. This houseplant doesn’t mind dry indoor air.
How to raise humidity in Dieffenbachia?
Mist the leaves regularly, place a humidifier nearby, or use a pebble tray to raise the humidity.
Can a Dieffenbachia sit in direct sunlight?
However, your Dieffenbachia will tolerate lower light situations. Just don’t let it sit in direct sunlight all day.
Is Dieffenbachia a low maintenance plant?
There are many different species of Dieffenbachia, featuring many different interesting leaf patterns. Dieffenbachia are known for being a low-maintenance houseplant that will tolerate less-than-ideal conditions. They are a perfect choice for new or busy plant owners.
Is Dieffenbachia toxic to humans?
Your Dieffenbachia is considered to be toxic to pets and humans.
What Soil Works Best for Dieffenbachia Plants?
You don’t need a unique, expensive potting mix or overly elaborate plant food. Just give it some high-quality potting soil mix.
How Often Should You Repot Dieffenbachia Plants?
Since they can grow a lot, Dieffenbachia plants need repotting every one to two years. It is best to repot your plant during the springtime. Choose a pot that is a few inches larger than the previous pot.
What Size Does Dieffenbachia Plants Grow to Typically?
Dieffenbachia plants tend to grow between three and five feet tall indoors. They do not grow super fast. But given a lot of sunlight, they will grow more quickly.
Are Dieffenbachia Plants Toxic?
Dieffenbachia plants contain calcium oxalate, which is toxic when ingested. Keep these plants away from small children and pets. To be safe, always wear gloves when pruning or handling the plant. Treat it as a decorative plant—and not a plant that your cat should be playing within your home.
Do Dieffenbachia Plants Enjoy Humidity?
Yes, Dieffenbachia plants enjoy humidity. That is because they originate from humid, tropical environments. It might be a smart investment to place a humidifier with your Dieffenbachia plant in the room. Creating an appropriate environment that simulates the tropics can do the plant well.
