Houseplants – Dieffenbachia or Dumb Cane

The dieffenbachia came by the common name “dumb cane” due to the fact that animals that chew on this plant’s leaves find their vocal cords temporarily frozen, rendering them “dumb” for a short period of time. Perhaps this explains why every dog and cat I have ever owned have avoided my dieffenbachias like the plague. Nevertheless, these easy-to-grow plants will make wonderful additions to your collection of houseplants, with their foliage adding some interesting color.

These natives from the tropical regions of South America can grow to be over 5-feet-tall. They have cane-like, thick stalks that do not branch. Instead, fleshy leaves in sheathed stems are produced. (As the plant matures, many of the older, bottom leaves will die and drop, so there is no need for alarm.) It is for the leaves that dieffenbachias are chosen for houseplants. There are several varieties, and all have impressive foliage. Following are just a few in which you might me interested:

D. amoena. Has dark green leaves, 1½-feet long and 1-foot wide on 1-foot long stems, with splashes of a creamy-white along the main veins. Extremely vigorous.

D. exotica. Dark green leaves with white and pale green markings. Leaves are oval and 10 inches long and 4 inches wide.

D. imperialis. Dark green leaves with yellow spots. The oval leaves are 2-feet long and 1-foot wide.

D. maculate(sometimes called D. picta). One of the most popular of the dieffenbachias, with several versions being available. Most have lance-shaped leaves and pointed tips. Leaves are dark green with ivory-white markings along the side veins. Leaves are generally 10-inches long and 2½-inches wide. [For a photo of this variety and others not featured here, see the slideshow: Houseplants: Dieffenbachias.]

Dieffenbachias prefer bright filtered light during the spring and summer months. During the winter, place them in front of a window that receives direct sunlight. [For more information on lighting, see: Houseplants: Determining Light Levels in Your House.] These houseplants also like lots of humidity; therefore, you should mist them frequently and even provide them with a humidity tray. [See Houseplants: Increasing the Humidity] I also place mine in the shower periodically. In addition, you can clean their leaves and provide them with a little extra humidity by wiping the leaves off with a damp cloth or sponge from time-to-time. You do not want to over-water them, however. Moderate watering is best, and the top inch of soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. You should also realize that dieffenbachias do not really have a dormant period or a period of rest. They will grow all year long; therefore, you should not change your watering habits in the winter months as you do for most of your other houseplants. Of course, you should also use a balanced fertilizer ever 2-4 weeks. Plant in a standard potting soil. [See: Making Your Own Potting Mixes for Your Houseplants] You will find that with just a little care that you will have quite a specimen for your houseplant collection when you decide to grow a dieffenbachia.