Dieffenbachia - Common but Toxic

Dieffenbachia amoena, or Dumb Cane, is a plant widely used for interiorscapes and houseplants. The name Dumb Cane reflects the fact that the acrid sap will burn the mouth and numb the throat to the extent that it may even paralyze the vocal cords. The plant should not be used around small children who are likely to put things in their mouths.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• houseplants
• terri
• penman
• garden
• nursery
• soil
• water
• diffenbachia
• toxic
• dumb
• cane
• sap

[sbgardener5]

Thank you for your comment on the Dieffenbachia. Proper watering is most important in the care of your plant. I water mine thoroughly, let it drain out the bottom of your plant. Wait 20 minutes, water it again, then leave it alone for one week. Try to water on the same day at the same time. I don't think misting is a good idea, as with proper watering, the leaves will retain moisture. Let me know how it goes.

[dave1234madmax]

i have a small Dieffenbachia at home but it seems to have very small roots and does not seem to be growing there is no yellow levees is that normal

[sbgardener5]

@dave1234madmax

Are you using good potting soil? Water it thoroughly, til the water runs out of the bottom of the pot. Wait 20 minutes, water it again. Do this once a week, same day, same time of day.  The roots may be too close to the surface due to shallow watering.

[sbgardener5]

Great news about your Diffenbachia's renewal. We were away for several weeks and much to my dismay the houseplants were neglected. The Diffenbachia lost many lower leaves, they were small, yellow and drooping. I moved it back to NO DIRECT SUN, and it is once again thriving. They are amazing plants and recommend them for beginners. I had problems with the Boston Fern, also on this site, but with watering, misting, and kisses, it is lush with green fronds. Happy Gardening!!

[sbgardener5]

@sbgardener5

Thank you for your note about the diffenbachia plant. I do hope you read my warning about this common house plant. It won't kill you but can paralyze the vocal chords, that is why I don't tell my husband!!

[Snoo1809]

Gorgeous Dieffenbachia! I got mine yesterday and it's tiny. It was very "sad looking" in the supermarket, but the leaves got back up in my home.

It's a bit brown at the ends, I don't think it had proper care. I'm repotting it now.

I saw that I can't use fertilizer in the autumn, could I still help it with something?

Do you have any tips on keeping the room moist? I spritz it with water in the evening and in the morning, but during the night my room is so dry even my nose ends up dry...

[grannyvonng]

I've never experienced them blossoming! They are beautiful hardy plants.

[GrungeGirl91]

loll when i was young, at 7 i licked up the dieffenbachia leaf of my grand-mom!!! hahaha and i was ok ! .. I didnt believe my sister who said it was poison lol!

[marjastina19]

NOTE:

The distinctive leaf pattern of the very popular Dieffenbachia sp. is seen in many homes. Painful and immediate swelling of the mouth and throat occurs after chewing on dumbcane. Speech impediment can occur, sometimes lasting for several days. Avoid eye contact with the juices which can result in intense pain and swelling.

[club4ghz]

holly shit its big

[debunkified]

Perhaps a tutorial can be made on how to clone or replicate the plant through the small sprouts that it provides. This is something that greatly interests me, although I'm not sure why, lol. I've only seen a friend that does it, and he has these wonderful plants all over his home growing everywhere through this simple cloning process. I would like to do it right, so something explaining this with a little detail would be greatly appreciated, not much on the subject anywhere I've noticed

[TheCutiepie1966]

r u people like stupid having that plant in ur house if u have not read online about this plant then keep reading this cause im gonna tell u wat happens when u have this plant in ur home.i had gotten this e-mail yesterday and it sed that by even putting the leaf in ur mouth u could die in an instant.and if u are cutting the plant down use gloves and then wash ur hands cause if u cut it down without any gloves on and then rub ur nose with ur hands or put them in ur mouth then u will gotothehopita

[TheCutiepie1966]

r u people like stupid having that plant in ur house if u have not read online about this plant then keep reading this cause im gonna tell u wat happens when u have this plant in ur home.i had gotten this e-mail yesterday and it sed that by even putting the leaf in ur mouth u could die in an instant.and if u are cutting the plant down use gloves and then wash ur hands cause if u cut it down without any gloves on and then rub ur nose with ur hands or put them in ur mouth then u will gotothehopita

[Wazuprandom]

the plant killed my cousin