How to Care for a Dumb Cane

Here is a list of popular Dumb Cane cultivars:

1. Camille

   The most popular dumb cane variety is known as Camille. This cultivar has whitish-lime-colored leaves with dark green edges.

2. Tropical Tiki

   This variation can grow to between 4-7 feet tall. It has shrug-like growth of upright leaves that are green with yellowish blotches.

3. Compacta

   Compacta’s leaves are a creamy-yellow color in the center with dark green edges and dots throughout the. They are often found as smaller plants.

4. Camouflage

   If you enjoy a lighter shade of plant, the Camouflage variety may be perfect for you. The leaves are light green and the veins are the color of light cream.

5. Seguine

   With long leaves that seem to be striped between light and green, the Seguine variety is a popular cultivar that will make any house look a little more tropical.

While the dumb cane is a relatively easy plant to care for, you should take note of the basic conditions that will help it grow.

• How Often You Should Water Your Dumb Cane

  You should water your dieffenbachia regularity, but allow the soil to dry out a bit between waterings. Make sure that the top two inches of the soil are dry before watering again if it is kept in indirect light. If it has less light, you may want to allow the soil to dry out a little more before watering it again. If the leaves begin to droop, you definitely need to water your plant again. Over time, you’ll discover how often your particular plant will need to be watered in order to thrive.

• How Much Light Does a Dumb Cane Need?

  While your dumb cane prefers indirect light, diffused light, or partial shade, they can be kept in full shade and still manage quite well. The plant will experience slower growth in lower amounts of light, but many people prefer to keep their houseplants shorter. If you want it to grow, put it in indirect light.

• When to Fertilize Your Dumb Cane

  You should fertilize your dieffenbachia one every 2-6 weeks throughout its growing season (generally doing through autumn). Check for signs of over-fertilization and adjust your schedule accordingly.

  Best Fertilizer For Your Dumb Cane

  You should use a balanced fertilizer on your dumb cane plant. This means that each part of the N-P-K ratio will be measured out in the same way. Look for the same numbers, such as 8-8-8 or 20-20-20.

• Best Soil For Your Dumb Cane

  The dumb cane plant prefers to be planted in well-drained soil. Mix perlite or sand in with your potting mix. Stove for 2 parts peat moss and 1 part perlite or sand. Alternatively, you can use African violet mix which works great for dieffenbachia.

• Optimum Temperature/Humidity for Your Dumb Cane

  Dieffenbachia prefers to live in temperatures between 65 – 75° F (18-23° C). When planted outdoors, they do well in hardiness zones 10-12. They also love humidity so it is a good idea to keep a humidifier nearby or frequently mist your plants throughout the week. You can also set your dumb cane on a tray with pebbles and water to keep the humidity level around the plant a bit higher. Aim for the humidity of 60% for these plants to really thrive.

Unfortunately, like any plant, you may encounter some issues when caring for your dieffenbachia. These may include the following:

• Why Is Your Dumb Cane Losing Leaves?

  If your dieffenbachia is losing leaves, it is likely not warm enough where it is. If the plant gets too cold, it will begin to lost leaves.

• Why Is Your Dumb Cane’s Leaves Turning Brown Leave?

  If the edges of your dieffenbachia’s leaves begin to turn brown, your plant may be waterlogged. Allow the top two inches of your soil to dry out between each watering.

• What Insects Can Affect Dumb Cane?

  There are a few insects that can affect the dumb cane. These include aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites.

  

  Aphids

  Remove Aphids

  Aphids are generally found in groups or colonies on the undersides of new growth on a plant. While they will vary a bit in color (or whether or not they have wings), aphids are generally pear-shaped with little cornicles sticking out of the back of their abdomens. These soft-bodied insects seek out the sap of plants and will inject saliva into the foliage during the process which may alter the overall look of your plant.

  

  Typical Signs

  • Misshapen or yellowing leaves
  • Honeydew on leaves or stems
  • Sooty mold
  

  Mealybugs

  Remove Mealybugs

  With a length of only 1/8 inch, mealybugs are white, soft-bodied insects that enjoy feeding on the photosynthates (plant juices) of your houseplants. As their bodies have a powdery-white substance on their bodies, they are often described as “looking like snow” when you have a larger infestation on your leaves. They will coat the leaves with a sticky substance that is covered by greyish-white bumps that resemble mold. While it does take some work, you can remove mealybugs so long as the issue hasn’t become too overwhelming for the plant at the time of treatment.

  

  Typical Signs

  • White spots on leaves
  • Suffering plant
  

  Scale

  Remove Scale

  Scale are small insects that suck the sap out of your houseplant’s leaves or stems. Either round or oval in shape, they can come in a variety of colors but are most often brown. While all of them have shells, there are two main varieties, one of which has a harder shell (known as a hard shell) than the other (soft shell). These insects can be found anywhere on a plant and are very difficult to fully remove, though the soft shell scale is easier. You will need to remain very vigilant for a few weeks in order to save your plant.

  

  Typical Signs

  • Clusters of “bumps” on leaves
  • Honeysuckle on leaf
  • Black moldy soot on leaves
  • Sickly plant
  

  Spider Mites

  Remove Spider Mites

  Spider mites are tiny black arachnids (not typically seen by humans) that like warm environments. They have oval bodies and eight legs and are generally white, red, or brown (though they are difficult to see with the naked eye). Spider mites can easily travel on the wind through a window screen. If you have them, you’ll see fine webbing similar to spider silk underneath the leaves. Leaves will sometimes become spotted or change color. Spray them off with water, a homemade miticide, or use Neem oil to remove them. 

  

  Typical Signs

  • Tiny white or yellow spots on leaves
  • Webbing on plant
  • Bronze or yellow appearance on plant
• Which Plant Diseases Can Affect Dumb Cane?

  The dumb cane may also suffer from the following ailments:

  • Bacterial blight
  • Dasheen mosaic virus
  • Fungal spot
  • Root rot
  • Stem rot
  • Soft rot
• Is the Dumb Cane an Invasive Species? 

  While they can be invasive in the wild, the dumb cane isn’t considered a threat in most cases.

While the Dumb Cane does produce seeds, it is easier to propagate them than to grow them from seed. In this way, they can reproduce fairly quickly, especially if they are kept in their ideal conditions. Dumb cane is typically propagated through stem cuttings or tip cuttings that are then rooted.

How You Should Prune your Dumb Cane?

There is no specific good time to prune your dumb cane, but you should wait until it has shed a few leaves so that you can see the stem clearly. When pruning, use a sharp knife to cut at a 45-degree angle to the desired length. Never remove more than a third of the plant when pruning.

What Kind of Container Do You Need for Your Dumb Cane?

You will need a container that is large enough for your plant with a little extra space to allow it to grow throughout the year. Additionally, you should ensure that the pot drains well as the plant prefers well-draining soil.

The following are a few plants that work well as companion plants to the dumb cane:

There aren’t many houseplants that look very similar to the dumb cane, but the following is one that does. It also works well as a companion plant to the dieffenbachia.

• How Large Will a Dumb Cane Grow?

  When grown indoors, a dumb cane will typically reach a height of between 3-5 feet. However, if you keep them outdoors in your garden or on your deck, they can reach a height of 10 feet tall and produce leaves that grow to 20 inches long.

• Is a Dumb Cane Toxic or Bad for Pets?

  The dieffenbachia contains calcium oxalate which can be very toxic when eaten. The effects oxalis acids and asparagines (another plant protein) will cause a burning sensation if you chew on the leaves. Your mouth could become swollen and your vocal cords could be affected, causing you to temporarily go dumb.

  The plant is considered to be in the medium range of toxicity and the effects are rarely fatal. That being said, children and pets do tend to have a worse reaction to the plant than adults, so it is best to keep them out of reach when they are around.

  If you or a loved one consumes part of a dumb cane, contact the appropriate number below to find out how best to treat your symptoms:

  Australia – Call 131 126

  Canada – Find your province’s number on this website

  New Zealand – Call 0800 POISON (0800 764 766)

  United Kingdom – Call NHS 111 

  United States – Call (800) 222-1222