Plant Care Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia

4.5 out of 5 (369 experiences)

Dieffenbachia has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves
Dieffenbachia has a Survivor plant personality Survivor

About Dieffenbachia

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

Dieffenbachia seguine
Dieffenbachia
Araceae
Alismatales

Also known as

Dumb Cane 'Mars' and Dumbcant

How to care for Dieffenbachia

💦 Water

How often to water your Dieffenbachia

Water needs for Dieffenbachia
0.5 cups
every 9

Dieffenbachia 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.

Calculate water needs of Dieffenbachia

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Dieffenbachia in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Dieffenbachia: 6ft from a window
6ft or less from
a window

Dieffenbachia 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 in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Dieffenbachia

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Dieffenbachia: 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 after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Dieffenbachia
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level
💦 Water Needs

Dieffenbachia 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 Water Frequency →

Dieffenbachia Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Dieffenbachia 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 Light Requirements →

Dieffenbachia Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Dieffenbachia 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 is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Dieffenbachia Edible? →

Dieffenbachia Toxicity to Cats →

Dieffenbachia Toxicity to Dogs →

Dieffenbachia Toxicity to Humans →


💨 Humidity

Dieffenbachia 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 Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Dieffenbachia 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 →

Best Pots for Dieffenbachia →

When and How to Successfully Repot Dieffenbachia →

What Are Healthy Dieffenbachia Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Dieffenbachia 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 →


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Dieffenbachia 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 is native to the Caribbean and tropical South America.


🌸 Flowers
⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Dieffenbachia grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Dieffenbachia Lifecycle →

Dieffenbachia Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Dieffenbachia →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors
🌱 Propagation

Dieffenbachia 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 →


🍂 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, 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.


Care Summary for Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia


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

Dieffenbachia has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 218
Dieffenbachia has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 174
Dieffenbachia has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 164
Dieffenbachia has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 78
Dieffenbachia has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 46
Dieffenbachia has a Pest magnet plant personality Pest magnet 16
Dieffenbachia has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 15
@iWhilby2021 avatar
@@iWhilby2021
leaf-1 58 Plants
xp 9,989 XP
03/21/2022

I have 3 different variety of Dieffenbachias. One of them is 15 years old. I find them to be hardy and low maintenance. Watering abojld be done after soil dries out.

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@SubstantialKate avatar
@@SubstantialKate
leaf-1 9 Plants
xp 651 XP
03/16/2022

Grows very fast, got mine in december and by march, i already had two new leaves. very sturdy plant. cat knocked it off the dresser twice and it seemed unfazed

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@mossycabbages avatar
@@mossycabbages
leaf-1 66 Plants
xp 3,455 XP
03/14/2022

I’ve almost killed this plant probably 10x and she’s still putting out new growth 😅 super quick growth and absolutely gorgeous leaves

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Browns easily Browns easily
Survivor Survivor
@YveO avatar
@@YveO
leaf-1 77 Plants
xp 5,188 XP
02/11/2022

I’ve had no issues with this plant since I brought her home!! None whatsoever!! Most definitely the least divalistic of all my plants by miles! I water once a week and she’s thriving beautifully on my outdoor balcony.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@RichLichen avatar
@@RichLichen
leaf-1 3 Plants
xp 48 XP
globe Aurora, CO
02/02/2022

I keep Dieffy in my bathroom and it loves the humidity. It’s growing like a weed

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@MariansOasis avatar
@@MariansOasis
leaf-1 92 Plants
xp 23,830 XP
02/01/2022

So beautiful and easy keeper!

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@petunia avatar
@@petunia
leaf-1 30 Plants
xp 4,470 XP
01/26/2022

Beautiful variegation in shades of pink. Easy to care for. Not super picky about its location. Seems to have minimal stress when moved from one place to another.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Cheryl avatar
@Cheryl
leaf-1 21 Plants
xp 1,303 XP
01/15/2022

Just got this know nothing yet it is beautiful

@BoozyBillsBabe avatar
@@BoozyBillsBabe
leaf-1 46 Plants
xp 9,015 XP
globe Baltimore, MD
01/11/2022

Too much water, too little water, too much water, too little water….very fickle. Will get dramatically droopy if not watered on schedule (will perk back up within a day or so once watered), but be careful not to over water or the leaves will turn yellow and mushy.

Fast grower Fast grower
@Stevied avatar
@@Stevied
leaf-1 35 Plants
xp 481 XP
globe New Haven, CT
01/10/2022

Not too difficult to care and keep alive mines been doing well since arriving over year

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@dylan1stokes avatar
@@dylan1stokes
leaf-1 36 Plants
xp 3,495 XP
globe Witham, England
01/10/2022

My dieffenbachia is continually growing new leaves, I have lots of new ones coming through at the moment

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
@UrbaneBibi avatar
@@UrbaneBibi
leaf-1 14 Plants
xp 179 XP
globe Pittsboro, NC
01/06/2022

Good air cleaner.

Browns easily Browns easily
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@lauren_trees avatar
@@lauren_trees
leaf-1 3 Plants
xp 219 XP
globe Tucson, AZ
01/02/2022

Definitely have had some ups and downs with her every few months. Kind of sensitive to lighting too

Browns easily Browns easily
Survivor Survivor
Saundra avatar
@Saundra
leaf-1 72 Plants
xp 4,389 XP
globe Cleveland, OH
01/01/2022

Doesn’t need a lot of water

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@QuayNicole avatar
@@QuayNicole
leaf-1 18 Plants
xp 1,681 XP
12/29/2021

It browns very easily but once I got it on a regular schedule it had been doing better

Browns easily Browns easily
@jwcross99 avatar
@@jwcross99
leaf-1 7 Plants
xp 2,522 XP
globe Trenton, MI
11/24/2021

Splendid plant 👌🏼

Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@Dovergardener avatar
@@Dovergardener
leaf-1 2 Plants
xp 675 XP
globe Dover, FL
11/21/2021

Variegated leaves are pretty in the window

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
Nicole avatar
@Nicole
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 171 XP
11/06/2021

Needs to be watered at least once a week. I keep it by my sink in the kitchen and it seems to love the humidity as well when I am doing dishes I feel the soil and just soak it through and then forget about it!

I am by far not the most dedicated plant parent but this is doing great and it gives great confidence to plant parents who are just starting out.

I was given mine as a prop and it just took off!

Fast grower Fast grower
@Cassrose avatar
@@Cassrose
leaf-1 51 Plants
xp 1,155 XP
globe New York
11/05/2021

Absolutely stunning! The colors are a dream, she doesn’t need much attention which is great when you have a bunch of needy plants.

@Cassrose avatar
@@Cassrose
leaf-1 51 Plants
xp 1,155 XP
globe New York
11/05/2021

Super easy to maintain, leaves are gorgeous and there’s constant new growth.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves

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