THE LEAFLET

Plant Care  |  November 17, 2020

Dieffenbachia Care

Placement

PRO TIP: Dieffenbachia have a toxic sap that can cause the tongue to swell, giving the plant its nickname, “Dumb Cane”. Keep out of reach of pets and children, and wash your hands after pruning.

The Dieffenbachia is a lush and showy plant from the tropics of Mexico, South America, and the West Indies. Often called “Dumb Cane” due to its toxic sap that causes irritation when ingested, this plant is not ideal for a space with small children or curious pets. However, with a small amount of caution it poses no significant threat.

This plant will thrive in a spot that receives bright ambient light, but direct sun will scorch the leaves. In an office space, the Dieffenbachia can adapt to fluorescent lighting, though it may take some time to adjust.

If you are unsure about the lighting conditions in your home or office, read our guide for how to measure light in your space.

 

Dieffenbachia Sterling Leaf

The Dieffenbachia's broad, patterned leaves make it an excellent companion in plant clusters.

Routine Maintenance

PRO TIP: The leaves of the Dieffenbachia are expressive and will often let you know the state that the plant is in. A thirsty plant's leaves will crinkle and become dry, eventually falling off, while an overwatered plants leaves will slake off and leave behind a slimy residue on the stalk.

Always be sure to assess your plant’s watering needs upon receiving it. Before giving your plant a drink, it is best to check the moisture level in the soil first to ensure it isn’t moist right beneath the surface. Also, consider aerating the soil of your plant before the initial watering. We compact the soil to avoid shifting during transit, so aerating can help the soil breathe and allow moisture to be released.

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. However, allowing the soil to dry completely will result in the leaves browning, drooping, and wilting.

Cool drafts can cause the plant’s leaves to yellow and curl, so keep it in a spot with temperatures above 60 degrees. The Dieffenbachia is susceptible to spider mites, but placing it out of the direct stream of air vents and increasing the humidity around the plant with a humidifier, pebble tray, or mister will aid in prevention.

Rotate your plant periodically to ensure even growth on all sides and dust the leaves often so the plant can photosynthesize efficiently. When dusting the leaves, also take the opportunity to inspect the undersides and keep an eye out for pests.

Remember each plant is a unique living thing and may have varying needs, especially in their individual locations. Pay attention to the condition of your Dieffenbachia and its watering needs and you will have a long and happy relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Dieffenbachia leaves drooping?

  • Droopy leaves are often caused by underwatering. Feel the soil of your plant, when the surface is dry to the touch your plant is ready for a drink. If the soil is moist and the leaves are drooping, then the issue may be too much water, not enough light, or cold temperatures.

My plant is developing brown tips on the leaves, what’s going on?

  • Browning tips can be caused by uneven watering. Make sure that your plant gets watered regularly. It is best that your plant does not sit in too much water. Additionally, the soil should not remain dry for extended periods. Adjust the watering, and trim away the brown tips with a clean pair of sheers, following the shape of the leaf.

How do I keep my plants growth even and full?

  • Dieffenbachia produce lots of new growth in short periods of time. Rotate your plant regularly as it will grow toward the light source and this will prevent it from becoming bare on one side. Fertilizer will help promote new growth so ensure the plant is properly fed. Pruning your plant regularly can also prevent it from acquiring a top heavy shape. Be sure to wear gloves or wash your hands directly after pruning. Do not let the sap get in contact with your eyes or mouth.

How often should I fertilize my plant?

  • In general, house plants will thrive when they are fertilized spring through fall. Fertilize once a month with an organic houseplant fertilizer, following the package instructions for dilution and administration. Greenery NYC uses an organic potting mix with a slow release fertilizer in the soil so your plant will not need fertilizer within the first 6 months of receiving it.

How often does my plant need to be repotted?

  • For smaller desktop plants, we suggest repotting once every 12-18 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 1”- 2” larger in diameter to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plant's roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time to repot as the plant is at its strongest.
  • For larger floor plants, we suggest repotting every 18-24 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 2”- 4” larger in diameter to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plant's roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time to repot as the plant is at its strongest.

Standard Planter Instructions

All of our Standard Planters include a removable drainage plug to give our customers the option of drainage. While no drainage is sometimes preferred for its aesthetic simplicity, we don't recommend this option for beginners as watering mistakes can be hard to rectify.

Whether you choose to use drainage or not, we always recommend using a layer of drainage (such as our Aeration Stones) at the base of the planter. A drainage layer allows the plant's roots access to oxygen in the pockets between the drainage medium, and a lack of drainage can cause anaerobic damage to your plant.

If you decide to utilize the drainage hole for your pot, make sure to include a Plant Saucer beneath your pot to collect excess water. For most plants in standard planters, we recommend watering about once a week. Water the soil mass until water begins pooling in your Plant Saucer.

With no drainage hole, you will need to be more precise in your watering. While we would love to give you a specific measurement of water to provide for your plant, the reality is that a plant's water requirements vary wildly depending on factors such as light exposure and the overall health of the plant. You will need to learn to tell when the plant is thirsty based on how its foliage looks. Droopy foliage is usually the first sign: when your plant looks a little slumped over that's usually a visual indicator that it's thirsty.

The best solution for checking your plant's moisture level, drainage hole of not, is to use a Soil Probe to determine the moisture content of the soil at the bottom of the planter.

Self Watering Planter Instructions

The Self-Watering Planters require a deep and thorough watering of the topsoil after they are first planted. This is important because the roots of the plants first need to grow into the reservoir in order to drink from it. Water your plant from the top for two to four weeks before using the reservoir. During the dormant seasons, or for plants that have slower growing habits, consider top watering for longer.

TEST: After the initial top water period, fill the bottom water reservoir. If the water in the reservoir is absorbed into the planter, it means the plant is ready for regular reservoir servicing. If not, be sure to continue top watering for a few more weeks until the plant has started drinking from the reservoir.

RESERVOIR SERVICING: Once the reservoir empties on its own, do not refill the reservoir right away. Similar to how humans need a breath of air between gulps of water, most plants require a drying out period. Allow for the reservoir to empty all the way between watering. All plants are different in their needs so the amount of time the reservoir sits empty will need to be determined, but know that for most plants this period is between 1-3 days. 

From here on out, you should rarely topwater the plant while using the reservoir system. Watering from below allows the plant to drink at its own pace, and can help combat certain issues like fungus gnats by allowing the top layer of soil to dry out more. Please note that if your plant's soil dries out too much, it can impair the wicking ability of the Aeration Stones in your planter. If your soil becomes too dry, we recommend giving it a thorough watering.

For more information on our Self Watering Planters include planting instructions, visit our blog post on How to Use Our Self-Watering Pots.

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