Dieffenbachia looks expensive and works as green architecture in a room: sturdy stems, large beautifully patterned leaves. With moderate care it grows into an impressive specimen.
Origin and natural habitat
Dieffenbachia comes from tropical forests in the Caribbean and South America, where it grows in humid understory. The name honours Austrian gardener Joseph Dieffenbach.
Care
Light
Bright indirect light keeps the pattern at its best. It tolerates half shade, but dim spots turn the leaves green and leggy. Avoid direct sun.
Watering
Let the top centimetre dry between waterings. Dieffenbachia likes an even keel — neither dry nor soggy.
Soil and feeding
Humus-rich, free-draining potting soil. Feed fortnightly in summer. Prune tall stems in spring — they branch readily.
Common problems
Yellow leaves most often signal overwatering. Drooping leaves come from drought or cold. Dropping lower leaves is normal as it grows tall — bare stems can be cut back.
Good to know
The sap is strongly irritating and the plant was historically called "dumb cane" — it temporarily robbed chewers of speech. Handle with gloves and keep away from children and pets.
