Dieffenbachia: Care and Problem Solving

This relatively easy to care for houseplant with its large oblong green and cream colored leaves and sturdy stem can go from a 1ft. table plant to a 7ft. tree in a matter of years. Most people are very successful growing dieffenbachia; their main complaint is that their plant has gotten too big too quickly for their room. The major drawback of a dieffenbachia is that all parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate, a chemical that will irritate the skin and, if ingested, cause the throat to swell painfully and may paralyze the vocal cords. Be sure to keep it out of the reach of small pets and children.


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CARE OF DIEFFENBACHIA

Light:  Dieffenbachia need medium to high Light: direct sun will burn the leaves. Too much light may cause the vibrant leaf color to fade; too little light and the leaves will become smaller and further apart on the stem.

Water: Although a dieffenbachia likes to be moist, be careful not to over water your plant, allow the top third of the soil to dry out before watering it.

Temperature: Dieffenbachia prefer temperatures above 60 degrees. Cold drafts from doors, windows, or air conditioners will cause bottom leaves to turn yellow.

Fertilizer: Fertilize only when the plant is actively growing, every two weeks in the summer, once a month in the spring and fall, and never in the winter. Excess plant food in the soil causes browning around the leaf edges.

Pests: Dieffenbachia are prone to spider mites and mealy bugs. When infected, spray all parts of the plant, especially the underside of the leaves, with the green solution every 10 days for a month.

Pruning: If your dieffenbachia has leaves on top and none on the bottom, cut the top off and replant it either in the same pot with your existing dieffenbachia or in a new pot. The remaining part of the old plant will branch and look good again in no time.

Special Instructions: Quickly wash your skin if it comes into contact with the sap of a dieffenbachia. Seek medical advice if a child or pet ingests any part of a dieffenbachia.

Dieffenbachia
Picture Dieffenbachia.jpg-HouseplantConsult.com

DIEFFENBACHIA FAQ’S

1. My dieffenbachia is so top heavy it keeps falling over. What should I do?
I know this will be hard, but cut your plant in half. Remove a few of the bottom leaves from the section you cut off and start a new plant. Be sure the end you put into the soil is cut on the diagonal. Your old plant will send out new growth and quickly become a sturdy new plant.

2. The bottom leaves of my dieffenbachia turn yellow.
Move your plant to a warmer location away from drafts and air conditioners.

3. The leaves of my dieffenbachia are turning brown along the edge and curling under.
You are over fertilizing your plant. Rinse the soil with some distilled water to get rid of the salt build up.

4. I am doing everything I am supposed to with my dieffenbachia; the top is beautiful and its getting giant new leaves, but the bottom leaves keep falling off.
Dieffenbachia tend to lose their bottom leaves. If the plant is looking too bare, either prune the top to get it to branch out or plant a smaller dieffenbachia in the pot with it to fill in the bottom.

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