Dieffenbachia

dieffenbachia

( dee - fun - BAK - ee- uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Dumb Cane, Mother-In-Law's Tongue, or Leopard Lily, these tropical flowering plants are native to a range that spans Mexico and the West Indies south through Argentina. Species are widely cultivated as houseplants. Dumb Cane is tolerant of shady conditions outdoors, but needs high humidity and protection from wind. Take care when planting these beautiful foliage plants in or around your home or in the garden, as sap is toxic.

Dieffenbachia Species and Varietals

The genus Dieffenbachia is a member of the Aroid plant family (Araceae) and includes 56 distinct species. The common name 'Dumb Cane' refers to the fact that the plants in the Dieffenbachia genus do not form a vine or grow from a tuber root (as all other members in the Aroid family do), instead growing bamboo-like canes with large leaves attached. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Dieffenbachia longispatha (Dumb Cane, Megacane)
This species is native to Panama and Colombia, and its flowers are pollinated by scarab beetles. Individual plants can reach up to between 7 and 10 feet tall at maturity in their native habitat. Megacane thrives in tropical, humid environments and in temperate zones is most successfully cultivated indoors. This species grows well outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10-12.

Dieffenbachia seguine (Dumbcane, Leopard Lily, Tuftroot)
This species of Dumb Cane has large deep green leaves, and varieties have variegated foliage. Juvenile plants grow to about 3 feet tall, and mature plants can reach 10 feet tall. Flowers produced by these plants are white, and similar in look to Calla Lily or Peace Lily flowers. Tuftroot grows well in USDA hardiness zones 10-12 outdoors, requiring temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive. This species is considered invasive in Asia, the Pacific Islands, and tropical areas of Africa.

Dieffenbachia spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Dumb Cane, Hybrid Dieffenbachia)
This group of plants are known for their colorful, variegated foliage and are widely collected as ornamental houseplants. They can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10a-12b. Popular cultivars are listed and described below:

'Camille'
Ivory-yellow leaves with dark green edges.

'Camouflage'
With leaves that have a bright green and cream-speckled pattern.

'Carina'
Larger variety with medium-green leaves specked with light and dark green accents.

'Compacta'
Medium-green leaves specked with cream to white towards the centers.

'Exotica'
Tall, upright variety with cream-colored leaves edged in green.

'Mary'
Fast-growing variety with light green leaves splashed with dark and creamy green.

'Memoria'
Leaves have cream, silver and light green variegation.

'Panther'
With a distinctive cream, light green, and dark green mottled 'panther' pattern.

'Perfection'
Intensely variegated, 8-inch long leaves.

'Rudolph Roehrs'
Yellow leaves with ivory-colored splotches.

'Snow'
Plant reaches up to 6 feet tall and has dark green leaves with silver-green and creamy-white specks.

'Sparkle'
With light green leaves with dark green and white patching.

'Superba'
Thicker leaves than most other varieties with white variegation.

'Tiki'
Elongated leaves with dark edges, light green veining and lighter, silvery speckles towards leaf centers.

'Tropic Snow'
With large, creamy white and green variegated foliage. To 3-6 feet.

'Tropic Snow'
Cream-colored leaves with dark green edging and mottling towards the edges.

Caring for Dieffenbachia

Take care when working with these plants and using them indoors, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Dieffenbachia plants are typically purchased as starts from a reputable nursery. They should be planted in an area that receives bright, indirect light in shade. They do not typically do well when exposed to direct sunlight. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.1 and 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Dieffenbachia plants prefer a soil that is coarse and well-draining; an Orchid or Bromeliad potting mix is ideal. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants appreciate consistently moist, but not soggy, substrate. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. If plants are not performing well despite appropriate care, they may need to be divided, especially if they are growing in a cramped space or container. For instructions on how to successfully divide Dieffenbachia plants, see the Propagation section below. Dieffenbachia plants can live for several years in the garden before needing to be replaced.

Growing Dieffenbachia Indoors
These plants are most commonly seen growing indoors or in greenhouses as specimens. They are naturally tropical or subtropical plants, requiring consistently warm temperatures and high humidity. They typically live for between 5 and 10 years as indoor houseplants; dividing plants can lengthen their lifespan in these conditions. For instructions on how to successfully divide Dieffenbachia plants, see the propagation section below. Choose a container that has adequate drainage holes on the bottom, and fill with a well-draining substrate. These plants prefer a soil that is coarse and well-draining; an Orchid or Bromeliad potting mix is ideal. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, they like to get regular waterings, as well, but do not like to have soggy soil. Make sure to empty drainage trays regularly. Prune to remove dead, damaged or diseased foliage during the growing season. These plants will very rarely flower when grown indoors, but flower spikes if they do emerge can be removed after the flowers fade to improve the appearance of plants.

Propagation

Dieffenbachia, or Dumb Cane, plants are most commonly propagated via cutting or division. They can be propagated through harvesting and sowing seed, but do not typically flower and set seed when grown indoors.

Propagating Dieffenbachia by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summer, choose a plant for propagation; ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Cut one or more cuttings with a visible node and at least one leaf. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much. Cuttings can alternatively be placed in a clean glass or jar with water and transplanted to soil when roots reach 1-2 inches long.
Moisten the soil with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Dieffenbachia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Dieffenbachia plants prefer a soil that is coarse and well-draining; an Orchid or Bromeliad potting mix is ideal. Division is best done in early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth). To propagate your Dieffenbachia by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.