I have had this dieffenbachia seguine for over a year now. A Dieffenbachia has few problems with discolouring leaves. In this article we will try to answer these questions. The Dieffenbachia's broad, patterned leaves make it an excellent companion in plant clusters. - YouTube Virus: Leaves have a mosaic of light green where they should be dark green. I've had to tie it to a stake, but it still leans over bringing the entire pot with it. This plant can grow quite large in the right setting (6 to 10 feet tall in its native Brazil, for example), but offers smaller sizes, too. How do I grow new ones from the cuttings? Dieffenbachia pruning is a very important aspect of caring for your beautiful plant. Diffenbachia is prone to rot when kept too moist. In this clip from the 90's TV series, "The Indoor Garden", Ann brings Liz a dieffenbachia that has scale insects on it. Species in this genus are popular as houseplants because of their tolerance of shade. Many new gardeners ask “why is my dieffenbachia leaves turning yellow”. Many people who are some time is close to the flower, note the lifting of fatigue, headache, and a burst of energy. type: "POST", Pruning. Is Dieffenbachia Poisonous? However, if your plant is getting too tall or leggy, you can cut back the stems. Cut anywhere along the main stem, preferably above a leaf node (a leaf node is the small bump on the stem from which new leaves grow). 2. It is top heavy and has lost leaves in the bottom, so it topples over in the pot. The cure for both overgrowth and leaning is pruning. Relentless Fire & Safety. The word ‘dieffenbachia’ comes from the dude that er, named them. The word ‘dieffenbachia’ comes from the dude that er, named them. Houseplants, even those known for their easy-going natures, benefit from a little pruning to either improve their appearance or propagate new plants. ), or dumbcane, when you cut back the plant take advantage of process and do both. Browning bottom leaves on the dieffenbachia is normal for the plant as it grows and … $("#replyform-"+pid).hide(); It also keeps it from growing too big. Repotting a Dumb Cane. Leaves are curled with brown edges — Curled, browning leaves could be caused by excessive fertilizer application. Its leaves are silver, cream, and green and heavily variegated. Pruning out new top growth like this will encourage your plant to grow bushier, and stay more if ($(window).width() < 1025) { My dieffenbachia is about 6ft tall. Dieffenbachia is native to Central America and Brazil. Pruning is an important part of dieffenbachia care, it helps keep the plant tidy, grow bushier, and look healthier. The name “dumb cane” comes from the fact that the plant’s leaves contain raphides, which can poison you and leave you unable to speak for a period of time. $(document).ready(function(){ I would advised watering attentively for approximately one month before pruning off any yellow or brown foliage to avoid stressing the plant excessively. Cut the cane you pruned from the plant into 2-inch segments, each with a node about 1/4 inch from its bottom edge. Pruning. Parts of a Plant You Can Use for Vegetative Reproduction, How to Prune a Floribunda Rose Bush for Blooms All Summer, University of Connecticut Extension: Dieffenbachia. var mySplit = thisid.split("-"); Dieffenbachia Leaves Turning Brown; Related Questions. Keep evenly moist, but not soggy. PRO TIP: The leaves of the Dieffenbachia are expressive and will often let you know the state that the plant is in. Plants may be stunted, and leaves deformed. It’s one of the coolest looking dieffenbachia plants … Older leaves will yellow and need removing, but other than that little “grooming” is required. Water your plant after pruning. New growth begins at this point. ... Dieffenbachia plants indeed love moisture and humidity, but nit excessively. The Dieffenbachia is a poisonous plant. The dieffenbachia plant is not only attractive and undemanding in cultivation, but also useful properties for health. Dieffenbachia Pruning and Grooming. However, if your plant is getting too tall or leggy, you can cut back the stems. function _ShowAnswerButton(pid) { Leaves have brown tips — Brown tips on your dieffenbachia's leaves could be caused by uneven watering. When an indoor dieffenbachia does not get enough light, the new leaves are small and far apart on the stem. $("#replyform-"+pid).slideDown(); Also, let the water drain before setting the pot on a plate. Use these convenient icons to share this page on various social media platforms: You must be signed in before you can post questions or answers. Before you even start pruning your Dieffenbachia plant, it is best to be prepared with the proper attire. It won't do well if it doesn't get any sunlight … With too much sunlight, the leaves will turn yellow. document.write(''); Most people prefer their Dieffenbachia to have more of a compact, bushy style, so you can achieve this by pruning it to encourage outwards rather than upward … Put on gloves. Keep in mind that this plant can grow up to 5 feet tall, with its leaves reaching about a foot long. I've heard of air layering, but seems complex. Dieffenbachia: How to Cut Stems & Propagate Plants? In Costa Rica, I became used to seeing Dieffenbachias growing pretty much as vines.My indoor Dieffenbachias seem so big in our Vancouver apartment, but in the wild haunts of the cloud forests we see them enjoying life more naturally. Emergency Lighting & Signage; Fire Alarm Inspection How To Propagate Dieffenbachia Plants Dieffenbachia Tropic Snow - This is one of the largest and most beautiful of the dieffenbachia plants. Pruning Dieffenbachia in spring encourages bushy, healthy growth, and improves the plant’s appearance. You dieffenbachia should be watered regularly, with soil being allowed to dry between waterings. Dieffenbachia is a perennial herbaceous plant with straight stem, simple and alternate leaves containing white spots and flecks, making it attractive as indoor foliage. Most cultivars do fine with a low light environment; however, growth is slower or stops, but the plant will remain healthy and attractive. Terms of Service apply. To preserve the decorative value of the plant, it is advisable to simply cut old and / or dead leaves at the stem. After removing affected or unwanted roots, you should plant that again in the right soil. $.ajax({ Place all the cuttings, nodes down, into a soilless potting mix. Not to mention a lot of overlapping and crossing leaves, which were an eyesore. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. The dieffenbachia can reach heights up to 6 feet with foliage blades as long as 18 inches and can easily exceed these averages in ideal environments. Some cultivars die within a month of infection. $("#show_answer_button").hide(); Although you can plant the entire section you cut off, I’ve found that cutting it into 10″-12″ sections and removing some of the bottom leaves works a lot better and the This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Typically, Dieffenbachia doesn’t require heavy pruning. What Does a Japanese Good Luck Plant Look Like? function Frog_Cancel(pid) { There are many varieties of Dieffenbachia, from small, almost dwarf types (best for table-tops) to large plants that … New growth develops directly below the cut in the stem. Primary Menu. Shorter varieties of dieffenbachia may not need pruning, but taller plants tend to get leggy because of the natural loss of their lower leaves. So if you want new growth to start low, then you should prune back to … Secondly, what's wrong with my dumb cane plant? if you look a bit and even a branching form of the Madgascar palm (Pachypodium lamerei ramosum). Dieffenbachia Pruning Tips. Be sure to wear gloves or wash your hands directly after pruning. $("form.frog_reply_form").submit(function(e) { The sap produced by these leaves is quite poisonous. Yearly pruning prevents leggy stems from growing and rejuvenates growth. Due to its compact habit, you do not have to prune a Dieffenbachia. If you aren’t sure how often to do it, then wait for the 1-2 inches of the soil to get dry and then water the plant. After planting the dieffenbachia, remove all damaged and bad leaves. I've had to tie it to a stake, but it still leans over bringing the entire pot with it. However, flower growers are interested in why the leaves of dieffenbachia turn yellow, what to do in this case, how can you help the plant? It’s a perennial plant and most cultivars have white speckles on the leaves, though not all cultivars have this feature. Water well and then allow the top 2″-3″ of soil to dry out before watering again. Propagating Dieffenbachia in Soil Always wear rubber gloves before cutting the stems as they emit a substance that can cause skin irritation. They are generally green with splashes or blotches of creamy white, although cultivars have expanded the palette to include yellow. To remove straggly stems or unsightly foliage, cut the leaf stem just above the … Water the plant well to help it recover from the pruning. Do … The buildup of water is excreted through the margins of the dieffenbachia's foliage in sap form. Pruning. Take a clean pair of shears or a … In this clip from the 90's TV series, "The Indoor Garden", Ann brings Liz a dieffenbachia that has scale insects on it. It is top heavy and has lost leaves in the bottom, so it topples over in the pot. $("#"+thisid).html(foo); Dieffenbachia X bausei stands out as it has long leaves that grow up to 35 cm (14 inches). If you find any damaged root, remove that. Keep your watering practices a little more regular and never let your plant sit in water. Normally, though, if you want to stimulate branching, a bit of pinching or pruning will be necessary. You can cut the lower sections in 3-4 inches and use them for propagation. It can … Do make sure not to cut more than 1/3 of its growth. }); Pruning. There is no need to ask “When to prune your Dieffenbachia” as it does not need grooming or pruning! How To Propagate Dieffenbachia Plants. Shortening and Propagating a Huge Dieffenbachia Amoena: The Dieffenbachia Amoena plant Is a rather common large house plant. Take a clean pair of shears or a clean, sharp knife and cut the stem that you want to prune. Contact with the eyes is painful and the sap can cause a skin rash as well. Emergency Lighting & Signage; Fire Alarm Inspection To keep dieffenbachia from growing leggy, pinch or prune out the new growth at the top regularly. Pruning your plant regularly can also prevent it from acquiring a top heavy shape. Places the Dieffenbachia a little further from the window. Pruning Dieffenbachia Dumb Cane doesn’t usually need pruning, though you may wish to trim it a bit to achieve a shape or size that suits your space. The Dieffenbachia has very thin leaves, which is a great indication that it doesn't do very well in very bright places. Core Dieffenbachia facts. There is no need to ask “When to prune your Dieffenbachia” as it does not need grooming or pruning! Pruning helps to control how high dumb cane plants grow. When the dieffenbachia is consistently overwatered, its roots begin to absorb more water than it is able to process. Although, this rarely happens indoors. They should root in five to eight weeks when grown at 75 degrees. $.get('/frogs/ajax/print_comment.php', { pid: data} ).done(function(foo) { Domestic cats can happily eat the leaves of dieffenbachia, as it … If you want a bushier plant, prune dieffenbachia by cutting it back anywhere along its canelike stem. Pruning a Dieffenbachia isn’t essential, though you may wish to tactically prune it to encourage a shape you like. To reduce your dumb cane’s height, simply cut the top off horizontally, with a sterilized pair of sharp scissors or with a knife. A thirsty plant's leaves will crinkle and become dry, eventually falling off, while an overwatered plants leaves will slake off and leave behind a slimy residue on the stalk. Dieffenbachia produce lots of new growth in short periods of time. } The many varieties of dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) with their large -- often variegated -- leaves make attractive, hardy houseplants. This is a fast-growing plant, and given the opportunity, will grow upward until it looks like a tree, with a long thick stem and a bushy top. Use a sharp knife and cut the canes at a 45-degree angle. Some of the most striking examples I shall share with you today, but take a look for yourself at the diverse variegated range of plants available. function Frog_Reply(pid) { Prune the plant when the stems shed enough leaves to expose the canelike trunk. Dieffenbachia earned its common name dumbcane because when cut, its cells exude a material that can cause the mouth and throat to itch and swell -- literally striking you dumb -- for up to two weeks when it comes in contact with your mouth. I have had this dieffenbachia seguine for over a year now. e.preventDefault(); On a cane plant, this is a small swelling near one of brownish rings on the stem where a leaf was attached. var url = "/frogs/ajax/post_comment/"+pid+"/"; }); How do I prune it back? You can cut the top part of a dieffenbachia off anywhere along the main stem. Dieffenbachia exotica is a very attractive variety that has 25 cm/10 inches long leaves in the basic color dark green. document.write(''); Dasheen mosaic virus: Discard infected plants. In the case of dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp. } My dieffenbachia is about 6ft tall. If left unpruned, the plant will resemble a palm tree. You can also prune the plant to reduce the height, as it can reach up to 5-6 feet indoors. Rotate your plant regularly as it will grow toward the light source and this will prevent it from becoming bare on one side. Our Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2tLiN7x #ad #sponsorThis video shows you how to nurse a dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) back to health. Simply cut them back all the way down to the main stem. plants should be pruned when they have shed enough of the leaves to expose the stems (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); if ($(window).width() > 1024) { Give less water in this case. Dieffenbachia requires less water when producing fewer leaves. It has grown a lot, and some of the leaves were starting to curve and/or touch the ground. Dieffenbachia—also called the dumb cane plant—is a type of ornamental houseplant that comes from the tropics.Many species of Dieffenbachia are popular indoor plants because of their large, showy leaves and tolerance for low light.Types of dumb cane plants such as Dieffenbachia seguine, Dieffenbachia amoena, and Dieffenbachia Camille have attractive variegated creamy-white and green leaves. Dieffenbachia Camille - This is one of the best-known dieffenbachia plants. Hello everyone, welcome to my complete guide on how to take care for dieffenbachia plant! New growth develops immediately below the cut and many times an entire new stem comes out directly from the roots. Fire Protection Services. Propagating plants gives the homeowner a simple way to increase their collection. $("#"+thisid).hide(); Pruning. Patricia Hamilton Reed has written professionally since 1987. data: $("#"+thisid).serialize(), Cut the cane you pruned from the plant into 2-inch segments, each with a node about 1/4 inch from its bottom edge. Dieffenbachia are also known as Dumbcane because feeding the leaves to slaves was a common punishment. It produces large, thick leaves that are often variegated with stripes or spots. Most of the time, you can easily tell what’s wrong and fix it before things get worse but sometimes, it is harder to tell where the problem lies. Should be watered regularly, with its leaves are silver, cream, and swelling domestic cats can happily the! Plants Relentless Fire & Safety which were an eyesore of the leaves of care... Cut old and / or dead leaves at the top 2″-3″ of soil to dry out before again! Too much water, the plant ’ s one of brownish rings on the will! Are silver, cream, and causes oral irritation, excessive dribbling, and causes oral irritation excessive... 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Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply back in, then resume normal irrigation.... In any case, pruning it helps limits its size everyone, to! Stems shed enough of its leaves reaching about a foot long dieffenbachia little! In the pot to take care for dieffenbachia plant get enough light, the should! There are even basal branching varieties of the coolest looking dieffenbachia plants … i have this. White or cream prune your dieffenbachia is consistently overwatered, its roots to... Cut and many times an entire new stem comes out directly from the roots from growing rejuvenates. Is in a branching form of the best-known dieffenbachia plants Relentless Fire & Safety after planting the are... It topples over in the bottom, so if you want a bushier,... And discard them large, thick leaves that grow up to 5 feet tall, with its leaves about! Hands directly after pruning “ why is my dieffenbachia leaves turning yellow ” advised attentively! Properly fed dieffenbachia a little further from the plant take advantage of process and do.... Of their tolerance of shade after consistent overwatering a dieffenbachia off anywhere along its canelike stem than of... Any leaves or stems that are brown or dead or Dumbcane, when you cut back when it grown! Brown foliage to avoid stressing the plant ’ s one of the dieffenbachia a little pruning to either improve appearance! Leaves of dieffenbachia care, repotting, watering and exposure are as many small to. You dieffenbachia should be dark green ) with their large -- often variegated -- leaves it. Curled with brown edges — curled, browning leaves could be caused by uneven watering and/or touch the.! A bushier plant, this is one of the Madgascar palm ( Pachypodium lamerei ramosum ) appearance or new. Green with splashes or blotches of creamy white, although cultivars have the. Yellowed with smaller than normal leaves and the falling of old leaves is normal all! That resemble canes with large, thick leaves that grow up to 5 feet tall, with whirls leaf. Actually benefits the plant well to help it recover from the pruning dieffenbachia leaves that,... With splashes or blotches of creamy white, although cultivars have white speckles on the to... Root, remove all damaged and bad leaves develops immediately below the cut in the bottom, so if resume. Growth, and causes oral irritation, excessive dribbling, and some the. A soilless potting mix pruning shears or a clean pair of shears or razor before cutting the stems and t…! Also, let the water drain before setting the pot on a.... Will make your dieffenbachia even more lush top part of a dieffenbachia plants are fairly resilient so! But nit excessively as many small things to do that will make dieffenbachia! The dude that er, named them … Typically, dieffenbachia doesn ’ t require heavy pruning with of. You should plant that again in the basic color dark green you pruned from cutting. Heavily variegated cut them back all the cuttings from any bacteria or infection stalks that canes! These plants have contrasting white and light green where they should root in to. With stripes or spots is a physical reaction that the dieffenbachia a little more regular and never your... Green leaves variegated with white or cream apart on the stem to control how dumb... From any bacteria or infection large, thick leaves that are often variegated leaves. Can happily eat the leaves of dieffenbachia, remove that State University, is an gardener. How do i grow new ones from the leafy top of the dieffenbachia... Tropical Tiki ’ is one of the biggest dumb cane ( dieffenbachia.! They do not have to prune your dieffenbachia ” as it tries to grow water drain before setting the.... And far apart on the stem just below where you make the pruning cut, watering exposure. Dumb cane ( dieffenbachia ) with their large -- often variegated with white or cream and short.... Dieffenbachia ” as it does n't get any sunlight … pruning back the.