This popular houseplant doesnt need much care for its lush foliage to look beautiful.
As the lower leaves naturally drop off over time, the plants canelike stems become visible.
In Zones 10 and warmer, It can grow outdoors.
Credit:BHG / Juli Lopez-Castillo
In most climates, dieffenbachia makes an excellent houseplant because it doesnt need much sun.
If you only have south- or west-facing windows, use a gauzy curtain to diffuse the sunlight exposure.
Place the plant in the hole and backfill it with soil, gently tamping it down as you work.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Water the dieffenbachia well and keep the soil moist but not soggy as the plant establishes itself.
you’ve got the option to add alayer of organic mulchto help the soil retain moisture.
Dieffenbachia Care Tips
Dieffenbachia doesnt require much care to thrive.
Credit: Denny Schrock
It needs minimal light and occasional watering.
Light
Although it tolerates low light, it does best inbright, indirect lightwith protection from sunlight.
When planting in a container, use a general-purpose potting mix with plenty of peat moss to retain moisture.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Soggy soil can be fatal, so ensure your potted plant doesnt sit in water.
The larger the dieffenbachia, the more it may need watering.
In winter, reduce watering frequency.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Temperature and Humidity
Whether inside or outside, high humidity is a plus for dieffenbachia.
If the plants foliage develops brown edges, its not getting enough humidity.
You may need to move indoor potted plants to a more humid spot, like a bathroom.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
You could alsoboost the humiditylevel by keeping the pot on a saucer filled with wet pebbles.
As the water evaporates, it lends a little more moisture to the air.
This plant does best in temperatures between 60oF and 75F.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Below 60F, growth will slow.
If temperatures drop below 40oF, the plant may suffer damage or die.
Fertilizer
Use a well-balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer every month or two.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Dilute the fertilizer according to the products label.
Pruning
Cut the upper stem back to a leaf node if the dieffenbachia grows too tall.
Some older plants may have tough stems and require pruners to cut.
The plant grows bushier after it is pruned.
These plants usually need repotting every year.
Pests and Problems
Common pests likemealybugsandaphidscan be a problem for dieffenbachia.
Otherwise, blast them with water from a hose.
Take indoor plants outside and hose them off or use an insecticidal soap that is safe for houseplants.
If leaves turn yellow, you may be overwatering or underwatering your plant, or it may need nitrogen.
Whatever the reason, cut off the yellow leaves.
If plants are drooping, theyre getting too much light.
Move them to a shadier spot.
Propagating Via Division
To propagate via division, separate the dieffenbachia in the spring.
For indoor plants, this can be done when you are repotting.
While wearing gloves, divide some offsets from the parent plant without damaging the root system.
After new leaves appear, cut off the old ones.
Remove any leaves and let the canes dry in a sunny spot overnight.
Find a cane that is at least 12 inches long and thick enough to support a little weight.
Wrap the cut with a moist piece of sphagnum moss and secure it with floral or electricians tape.
In a few days, you should see roots begin to emerge from the moss.
Keep it moist but not soggy.
Leaves turn more solidly green in low-light conditions.
Camouflage
DieffenbachiaCamouflage has eye-catching light green leaves speckled and splashed in dark green and cream.
Outdoors, it is hardy in Zones 10 or warmer.
Dieffenbachia Maculata
Dieffenbachia maculataspp.
usually remain under 3 feet tall with multiple stems and shrubby growth.
Medium green leaves are irregularly splashed with creamy white variegation.
Tropical Tiki
Dieffenbachia Tropical Tiki has leaves with a band of silvery green splotched with cream blotches.
Dieffenbachia Seguine
Dieffenbachia seguinespp.
have canelike stems and arching leaves up to 12 inches long.
They are usually marbled with white or cream.
Tropic Marianne
DieffenbachiaTropic Marianne is a large variety sporting broad creamy-white leaves variegated with green.
Outdoors, it is hardy in Zones 10 through 12.
Tropic Snow
Dieffenbachia seguineTropic Snow has pale green and cream variegation on extra-large leaves.
If it needs more, add a plant humidifier nearby.
Dieffenbachia Seguine.NC State Extension
Dieffenbachia.
