LIGHT

• Prefers medium to bright, indirect light.
• It can tolerate lower light, but growth will be slow, and the variegation will fade to solid green.
• Avoid direct, intense sun, which can easily burn the large leaves.

WATER

• Prefers to remain evenly moist during the spring and summer.
• Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
• Overwatering is a common cause of yellowing leaves and rot.
• Reduce watering frequency significantly in the winter.

SOIL

• Needs a rich, well-draining, standard indoor potting mix.
• A mixture of standard potting soil with added perlite or small bark chips will provide good drainage and aeration.

GROWTH HABIT

• Ideal conditions: Consistent warmth (65-75F) and moderate to high humidity.
• Growth rate & size: Growth rate is moderate to fast under ideal conditions. It grows upright, often reaching 3-6 feet tall indoors, with large, wide leaves.

PROPAGATING

• Propagated by stem cuttings, especially when the plant gets tall and loses its lower leaves.
• Cane cuttings (sections of the bare stem) can be laid horizontally or planted vertically in moist soil.
• The original stump will often sprout new growth after the top section is removed.

PRUNING

• Prune to maintain size or when the plant becomes leggy (losing lower leaves).
• Cut the stem above a node to encourage branching.
• Always wear gloves when pruning due to the toxic sap.
• Remove old, yellowed, or damaged leaves at the base of the stem.

REPOTTING

• Repot when the plant is root-bound, usually every 1-2 years.
• Repot in spring or early summer.
• Use a heavy pot (like terracotta) to prevent the top-heavy plant from tipping over.

FERTILIZING

• Feed regularly during the spring and summer growing season (every 4 weeks).
• Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength.
• Stop fertilizing during the fall and winter.

FLOWERING

• Produces a small, inconspicuous greenish-white flower on a stalk, enclosed by a spathe.
• Flowering is rare indoors and is often cut off to direct energy to the foliage.

TOXICITY

• Highly toxic to humans and pets. It contains a high concentration of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in the sap, which causes severe pain, swelling of the mouth and throat, and temporary inability to speak (hence the name Dumb Cane) if chewed or ingested.

PRO TIPS

• High humidity helps prevent brown, crispy leaf edges.
• The Dieffenbachia naturally sheds its lower leaves as it grows taller; this is normal aging.
• Wipe the large leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust and maximize light absorption.