Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia seguine
📖 About this plant
One of the most popular tropical foliage houseplants, known for its large, oblong leaves decorated with dramatic patterns of white, cream, and green. Its common name ‘Dumb Cane’ comes from the temporary speechlessness caused by ingesting its calcium oxalate crystals. Despite its toxicity, it is widely grown for its bold, tropical appearance and ability to thrive in low to medium light conditions.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Medium to bright indirect
Every 1-2 weeks
High (50-70%)
18-28°C
Well-draining, peat-based potting mix with perlite and orchid bark; retain moisture without waterlogging
Balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) diluted to half strength every 2-4 weeks during growing season
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Caribbean, Central America, northern South America
- 📏 Max height
- 90-150 cm indoors (can reach 2+ m in optimal conditions)
- 📐 Spread
- 60-90 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Rarely indoors
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White, Cream
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green, White Variegated
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- TOXIC — contains sharp calcium oxalate crystals (raphides) in all parts; causes intense burning, swelling of the mouth and throat, excessive drooling, and temporary speech loss; historically called 'Dumb Cane' because ingestion can cause temporary inability to speak; KEEP AWAY from children and pets
- 🌱 Propagation
- Stem cuttings (top cuttings or cane segments) rooted in water or moist perlite; tip cuttings root fastest
🛡️ Health & Safety
TOXIC — contains sharp calcium oxalate crystals (raphides) in all parts; causes intense burning, swelling of the mouth and throat, excessive drooling, and temporary speech loss; historically called 'Dumb Cane' because ingestion can cause temporary inability to speak; KEEP AWAY from children and pets
Common issues
- Yellow lower leaves from overwatering
- Bacterial leaf spot
- Mealybugs and spider mites
💡 Care tips
- All parts contain oxalate crystals toxic to pets and children
- Rotate pot quarterly for even growth
- Clean leaves with a damp cloth for best appearance
- Wilted leaves signal it needs water immediately
