Plant ID card |
|
|---|---|
Botanical name |
Dieffenbachia. |
Common name |
Dieffenbachia, Canes of the mutes. |
Family |
Araceae. |
Origin |
Tropical forests of South America. |
Dimensions |
50 to 150 cm high x 40 to 100 cm wide. |
Foliage |
Large evergreen leaves, oval to lanceolate in shape and variegated dark green in color, carried by long erect petioles which envelop the stem. |
Bloom |
Small in size, it blends in with the foliage. Rather rare in indoor cultivation, the flowering has little ornamental appeal. |
Exposure |
Bright, but protected from direct sun or partial shade. |
Ground |
Soil for green plants, fertile, light and drained. |
Rusticity |
0°C. |
Dieffenbachias are tropical plants with large dark green leaves spotted with cream, very decorative.
Frost-tolerant, they thrive in pots in our heated interiors, as long as you provide them with sufficient humidity in the soil and foliage.
Where to place a Dieffenbachia?
Dieffenbadhia thrives in a well-lit room.
Copyright (c) 2023 KELENY/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
Dieffenbadhia
thrives in a well-lit room
.
If the light is insufficient, its colors fade.
On the other hand, it should not be exposed to direct sunlight otherwise its leaves will turn brown.
In winter, it may be necessary to move it to find the best exposure.
Be careful, however, to avoid locations subject to drafts, such as near a door or window.
The ideal temperature is
between 18 and 20°C
.
Temperature variations are tolerated, but the higher the temperature, the higher the humidity.
In winter, a little coolness does it good (between 15 and 18°C), but below 10°C, the foliage can fall.
Please note: just like mother-in-law's tongue, Dieffenbachia has
depolluting
properties (toluene, xylene and formaldehyde) which are useful for purifying the air in our homes.
In summer, he will appreciate the brightness of the living room or office and the humidity of the bathroom.
And in winter, why not let him enjoy the coolness of the room?
Also read: Top 10 green plants that can be grown both indoors and outdoors
How to take care of a Dieffenbachia?
The dieffenbachia is an indoor plant that is easy to maintain:
Watering
: the substrate must be kept moist whatever the season.
In summer, watering is generous and regular.
They are less so in winter, when the substrate is allowed to dry out on the surface between two additions of water.
Also mist the foliage regularly when the temperature increases;
Fertilization
: at the end of spring and summer, add fertilizer for green plants every 15 days, on a damp substrate;
The summer outing
: it is possible to install a dieffenbachia outside during the summer, by choosing a shaded location sheltered from drafts;
Repotting
: repot the plant every year or every two years, in spring, until it is in a pot 30 cm in diameter.
Repotting will then be replaced by annual surfacing.
Does Dieffenbachia flower?
The Dieffenbachia flower is discreet: it is in fact a green spathe which surrounds a tubular spadix carrying the tiny flowers.
Copyright (c) 2023 Berlian Delfiani/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
Grown in good conditions, Dieffenbachia is capable of flowering.
The flower of this beautiful green plant is discreet: it is in fact a green spathe which surrounds a tubular spadix carrying the tiny flowers.
The beautiful varieties of Dieffenbachia
The most commonly cultivated species, Dieffenbachia seguine, comes in numerous cultivars with very decorative varied shapes and colors, more or less
variegated
with creamy white, yellow or pale green.
For example :
Dieffenbachia seguine '
Camilla'
: leaves with green edges and a creamy white center.
Dieffenbachia seguine
'Green Magic'
: dark green leaves with white central vein.
Also read: The 12 easiest indoor green plants
How to take a Dieffenbachia cutting?
A stem cutting must be taken, preferably in spring.
Be careful, the sap is toxic and can make you temporarily mute if put in the mouth.
Wear gloves when handling.