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Dieffenbachia 'Compacta'

4.5 out of 5 (4 experiences)

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

About Dieffenbachia 'Compacta'

Dieffenbachia was cultivated in England before 1759 and upper Amazon indigenous groups are known to have used their calcium oxalates to make poison arrows. Dieffenbachia flowers can generate large amounts of excess heat which botanists believe attracts potential pollinators to the flower's warmth. 🐝

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Dieffenbachia compacta

Genus

Dieffenbachia

Family

Araceae

Order

Alismatales

Also known as

Dumb cane

How to care for Dieffenbachia 'Compacta'

💦 Water

How often to water your Dieffenbachia 'Compacta'

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' in your home

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' can tolerate being far from a window and light source.

Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Dieffenbachia 'Compacta'

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Dieffenbachia 'Compacta': repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Dieffenbachia

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' Water Frequency →

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' can tolerate being far from a window and light source. Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' Light Requirements →

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

💨 Humidity

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

Best Pots for Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

When and How to Successfully Repot Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

What Are Healthy Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' is native to the Caribbean and tropical South America.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' Temperature Tolerance →

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

When to Plant Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

How to Plant Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

Where to Plant Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

Winter Care for Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

Best Companion Plants for Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

Is Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:

Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

How to Propagate Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Dieffenbachia 'Compacta', since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Common Bugs Affecting Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' →

What Eats Dieffenbachia 'Compacta'? →

Care Summary for Dieffenbachia 'Compacta'

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta'

Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 6ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Large, lush leaves 3

Survivor 2

@@Clara_ematt

6 Plants

350 XP

10/26/2021

I got this plant from a shop and it was in clearance quite brown but it has come back well. This plant is toxic to humans and animals though so I would not recommend for those with young children and pets.

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' plant photo by @Clara_ematt named Leo on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Agatha

37 Plants

1,147 XP

04/25/2021

One of my favorite plants!
Striking leaves, steady growth, forgiving, mine has been happy in a range of lights, from medium/high to medium/low.
It’s a great plant for anyone who would like to get started with something more spectacular than your typical pothos or snake plant.

Large, lush leaves