Dieffenbachia, plant care and growing guide

dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is a genus of tropical plants in the Araceae family, native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. They are often used as indoor decorative plants in pots. They are perennial, herbaceous plants, with a straight stem, on which the leaves are arranged alternately. The leaves are green and may have white spots or stripes, which give the plant a decorative appearance.

Species and varieties

Dieffenbachia picta (D. maculata) is the most used species in decorative pots. The leaves are smaller than the ones of other species and have large white-green spots on the leaves. The Mariann variety is special because almost the entire surface of the leaf is ivory, while the edges and the main rib remain green.

Dieffenbachia amoena has longer leaves than the other species (50-60 cm), with an oval-elongated shape, a sharp tip, and a dark green color. Along the ribs, it has white or pale yellow spots.

Dieffenbachia x bausei has large, green leaves with ivory spots, unevenly distributed on their surface.

Dieffenbachia oerstedii has elongated, sharp leaves and is special because it has a white stripe along the main rib.

dieffenbachia care guide

Light. It prefers bright places, near a window, but it should not be placed in direct sunlight. They are preferred as houseplants because they tolerate shade well. In partially shaded places, the leaves may change color from yellow to green.

Temperature. It grows optimally at a temperature of 20º C. In winter, it prefers a cooler room, with a temperature of about 13º C, but not lower.

Humidity. It prefers an atmospheric humidity of over 80%. To increase the humidity around the plant, it should be sprayed daily with water.

Substrate. It grows well in a light, porous substrate that allows water to drain quickly. It can be made of peat and leaf mold, to which sand can be added to improve drainage.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Care. Water should be administered regularly so that the substrate remains permanently damp. Fertilizer should be added during the active growth period, and fertilizing must be stopped during the dormancy period. A common fertilizer for green plants can be used.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Repotting. It is required to be performed every year in April. Along with the transplanting of the plant, it is also recommended to change the substrate.

Propagation. It can be done through cuttings from the stem, which have reached a length of 10 cm. They can be rooted in a mixture of peat and sand, and after two months they will form roots. The top cuttings can be left to root in pots with water.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Pests. The main pests that can infest the plant are aphids, mites, and wooly apple aphids.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product
In addition:
  • the basal leaves dry out gradually as the plant ages. It has a longevity of about 5 years.
  • keep the plant in a place away from cold drafts.
  • excessive moisture can cause specific diseases.
  • it cannot withstand well dry air.
  • the sap of the plant is toxic, so it is recommended to handle it with care.
  • pruning dry leaves favors the formation of new leaves.
×

We help you
to take care of your plants

If you haven't yet found solutions in our articles or previous discussions, start a new discussion and our experts will help you.

New discussion about

Dieffenbachia, plant care and growing guide
Dieffenbachia, plant care and growing guide

Your information:

Your name must contain a maximum of 30 characters. If you would like to pass on the details of the problem you are facing, please complete the other fields.

The maximum document size is 59 MB.

Add
It helps if you attach some Images or Clips maximumm 15 sec


Want to know more?

Our specialists participate in the discussions of the armuro community with useful information and solutions.
If you want, you can start a discussion about the problem you are facing.
Read the discussions