Dieffenbachia is an herbaceous perennial with a straight stem, and simple, alternate leaves. Its leaves are variegated, with white flecks and spots so it makes an attractive addition to your houseplant collection. From the Araceae family, this tropical flowering plant is native to Central and South America. Dieffenbachias have a minimum temperature of 5°C, so they need to be grown indoors. Being tolerant of shade, air purifying, and quick to grow, they make great houseplants.

 

Also known as Dumb Cane, Dieffenbachia loves high humidity like it would find in the forest. Every so often, the leaves will fall off of Dieffenbachia to allow new leaves to grow. However, if the leaves turn yellow, this can be a sign of incorrect conditions. Filtered sunlight through a window is normally enough for Dieffenbachia. They do not require any pruning but it’s good to wipe them with a damp cloth every so often to keep them clear of dust. They are generally free from disease, but new growth can be susceptible to aphid damage. Regular feeding with a proprietary houseplant fertilizer will keep your Dumb Cane happy. Most Dieffenbachia need water about twice a week, check if the top two inches of soil have dried out and water if they have.

 

This plant could make people and pets unwell if eaten.