Dieffenbachia Care
There are many different species of Dieffenbachia, featuring many different interesting leaf patterns. Dieffenbachia are known for being a low-maintenance houseplant that will tolerate less-than-ideal conditions. They are a perfect choice for new or busy plant owners.
How to care for your Dieffenbachia
- LIGHT
Your Dieffenbachia will do best in bright, indirect light. It can also tolerate lower light environments, though growth will slow. Avoid direct sunlight which can burn the leaves.
- WATER
Water your Dieffenbachia when the soil volume is 50-75% dry. Water thoroughly until it drips out the bottom of the pot, and remove excess water that accumulates in the saucer.
- HUMIDITY
The Dieffenbachia does fine in average household humidity. It won’t mind an added boost in humidity during the drier months of winter.
- TEMPERATURE
Your Dieffenbachia prefers temperatures between 60-80°F. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
- FOOD
Fertilize your Dieffenbachia once per month during the spring and summer with a general purpose houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Be sure the soil is damp; never apply fertilizer to dry soil.
- TOXICITY
Dieffenbachia are considered to be toxic to pets and humans if ingested.
- ADDITIONAL CARE
If you notice the tips or edges of your plant’s leaves are turning brown, it could be due to your tap water. You can prevent this by watering with filtered water or rainwater. Remove any yellow leaves to keep your plant strong and growing.
Common Issues for your Dieffenbachia
Watering
You want water to water when the top 50-75% of soil is dry. Water thoroughly, and be sure to empty the saucer of any excess water to prevent root rot. Your Dieffenbachia will not tolerate soggy soil which can lead to root rot.
On the other hand, alternating between bone dry and wet soil from ill-timed waterings can create stress and cause your plant to have discolored leaves. If the plant gets too dry for too long, the roots start to shrivel and die back. Then, once the plant is thoroughly watered, it cannot take up the moisture properly.
Lighting
These plants can maintain in lower lighting, but indirect bright light will help them thrive. Bright indirect light can be found in places next to an east-facing window or a few feet back from an unobstructed southern or western window. If the southern or western window has something like a sheer curtain, or natural shade from a tree or building outside, the plant can be placed a little closer.
Temperature
Dieffenbachia appreciates conditions between 65 to 75° F and an ambient humidity of 60%, and sudden shifts above or below this range can shock the plant and cause the leaves to turn yellow or drop off. Try to avoid keeping this plant in overly hot rooms or near an AC vent in the summer, or anywhere near drafty and cold windows and doors in the winter.
Pests
A weakened or stressed plant is more susceptible to insect infestations. Sap-sucking bugs like spider mites can drain your plant of moisture. This problem quickly manifests itself by yellowing leaves. Scale, mealybugs, and spider mites occur frequently in indoor conditions. If not killed early on, these small pests proliferate and move all along leaves and into nooks and crannies. The piercing mouths of the insects exhaust your plant and accelerate yellowing, especially if your plant is already unhealthy from poor lighting, a nutrient deficiency or improper soil moisture.
Natural Life Cycle
If there is new growth on your plant and the yellowing leaves are older, particularly at the bottom of the plant, this yellowing is natural. Your plant sheds its old leaves and sends energy to new growth. You can simply trim any old leaves off to help your plant focus its energy on new and healthy growth.
Lighting
Usually, when a plant is getting leggy, it’s showing signs that it is etiolated. The most common reason this happens is when your plant is getting insufficient sunlight, causing it to stretch out in search of good light. Some signs of etiolation are a “leggy” appearance with longer stems, paler leaves due to lack of chlorophyll, and less condensed leaves. Not to worry! This won’t really harm your plant in the long run if care is adjusted and simply acclimating it to a brighter spot should help. These plants can maintain in lower lighting, but indirect bright light will help them thrive. Bright indirect light can be found in places next to an east-facing window or a few feet back from an unobstructed southern or western window. If the southern or western window has something like a sheer curtain, or natural shade from a tree or building outside, the plant can be placed a little closer.
Overwatering
Over time, roots that sit too long in waterlogged soil will suffocate the plant at the root, preventing proper oxygen and nutrient uptake. This will initially cause leaves to turn yellow and weaken stems, which can lead to the plant stretching or drooping. Drenched soil can eventually cause the roots to rot which will kill the plant outright.
You want to water when the top 50-75% of soil is dry. Water thoroughly, and be sure to empty the saucer of any excess water to prevent root rot.
Root Bound
Check the plant’s roots to see if they might be too root-bound. Look for roots creeping up along the top of the soil or growing through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Another sign that your plant is root bound is if when watering your plants, the water rushes through the pot and out the drainage hole. This shows the roots are taking up too much room in the current pot and there is not a high enough soil-to-root ratio. This inhibits your plant from taking up the proper amount of water and nutrients it needs.
Temperature
Dieffenbachia appreciates conditions between 65 to 75° F and an ambient humidity of 60%, and sudden shifts above or below this range can shock the plant and cause the leaves to turn yellow or drop off. Try to avoid keeping this plant in overly hot rooms or near an AC vent in the summer, or anywhere near drafty and cold windows and doors in the winter.